Office of Study Abroad

Most Brandeis Grants and Scholarships are applicable toward study abroad. Please note that if the study abroad program's room, board, and applicable fees are lower than those at Brandeis, the amount awarded for Alumni and Friends or other need-based scholarships may be reduced.

Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) funds may be used for study abroad provided the student meets all federal requirements.

Pell Grants may be used for study abroad provided the student meets all federal requirements. Pell Grant recipients may be eligible for the Gilman International Scholarship program.

State Scholarships may be used for overseas study if state policies permit. Students should check with their local State Scholarship Office and/or the Brandeis University Office of Student Financial Services.

Mass. Gilbert Grants may be used for study abroad provided the student meets all state requirements.

Faculty and Staff Tuition Remission may be used for study abroad.

VA benefits only apply to certain programs. Please speak further with an Office of Study Abroad staff member if you receive VA benefits and would like to study abroad.

There are a few Brandeis scholarships/grants/fellowships that are either fully or partially not applicable for study abroad:

• Malkin Scholarship (not applicable to study abroad)

• Slifka Scholarship (not applicable to study abroad)

• Wien Scholarship (cannot exceed Brandeis charges--Wien Scholars can study abroad, please meet with your Financial Aid Counselor to talk through the details)

Please discuss your specific situation with Student Financial Services for more details.

Federal Direct Stafford Loans (FDSL): Students interested in a Stafford Loan must submit a complete financial aid application to the Office of Student Financial Services. Students with financial need will be awarded a subsidized FDSL. Students without financial need may borrow an unsubsidized FDSL.

Federal Perkins Loans (FDSL): May be used for study abroad provided the student meets all federal requirements.

Brandeis Loans and Saval Loans: May be used for study abroad.

Federal Direct Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students (PLUS): Parents may be eligible to borrow up to the cost of attendance minus any financial aid through the PLUS program. For information on this program and additional forms required for overseas study; contact the Office of Student Financial Services.

Private Student Loans: Parents and students may be eligible to borrow up to the cost of attendance minus any financial aid through a number of different private loan companies. For information on these programs, please visit Student Financial Services.

Federal Work Study and University Employment may not be used for off-campus study.

Students who wish to apply for financial assistance to study abroad should make an appointment to see their financial aid counselor in the Office of Student Financial Services as soon as possible to discuss procedures to secure funding. Students who currently have financial aid should also make an appointment with their financial aid counselor to determine if there will be any changes to their award and if additional financing will be needed to meet costs abroad. Although requirements and regulations regarding aid for study abroad differ depending on where a student goes and for how long, the following are some general guidelines:

1. Complete your financial aid application, on time, as you normally would. All students renewing their financial aid or applying for the first time should complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Financial Aid) online to be considered for federal financial aid. Depending on your current award, Student Financial Services may request additional materials from you (i.e. CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE, prior-year tax returns, etc.). A financial aid renewal letter is sent home to families in January that specifies which documents are required to reapply for financial aid.

2. Inform Student Financial Services of any external scholarships that you receive for study abroad, if applicable.

3. Students are responsible for paying Brandeis tuition and required student fees, and, if applicable, the CISI Insurance fee directly to Brandeis University (students do not pay tuition to the program that they are attending, as Brandeis will pay the program for tuition costs.). Students are also responsible for paying the room, board, and any other applicable fees directly to the program or university that they are attending.

4. If the study abroad program's room, board, and applicable fees are lower than those at Brandeis, the amount of an Alumni and Friends Scholarship, Trustee Scholarship, Wien Scholarship, or loan may be reduced. Students should meet with their financial aid advisors to discuss possible changes to their awards.

5. Students whose aid exceeds Brandeis tuition and required student fees, the CISI Insurance fee (if applicable), and any previous balance on the Brandeis student account can obtain a refund to assist with expenses abroad such as room and board, flights, visas, etc. It is the student's responsibility to request refunds through their Workday account. Please note that refunds will not be released until 10 days before the start of Brandeis classes, regardless of the starting date of the program the student will attend.

6. Students who have been awarded a Federal Direct Stafford Loan, Perkins Loan, Wien Loan, Saval Loan or Brandeis Loan for study abroad must arrange with the Office of Student Financial Services at Brandeis to sign promissory notes for the loans. This should be completed before the student leaves the country. The student should inform the Office of Student Financial Services as to whether the study abroad program will be for one or two semesters.

All students studying abroad are responsible for obtaining and completing, by the stated deadlines, the financial aid application materials for the next academic year. Although the request for required materials will be mailed to the student's permanent address, it remains the student's responsibility to ensure the forms are obtained, completed and submitted on time. Applications received after the stated deadlines may result in the student not receiving all the funds for which they may be eligible.

Questions should be referred to the Office of Student Financial Services.

Phone: 781-736-3700

Fax: 781-736-3719