How is Financial Aid determined for Study Abroad?

• Students who are eligible for Financial Aid normally receive more Financial Aid for studying abroad since the Financial Aid package considers the extra costs associated with studying abroad.
  

I've never had financial aid before, but I need it for this program. Who handles Financial Aid at USFSP? Am I qualified for financial aid? What do I do to apply?

• Financial Aid is handled by the Financial Aid Office on the first floor of Bayboro Hall. They can help you get started with applying for Financial Aid.

• You must fill out a FAFSA form that covers the year you plan to study abroad. The FAFSA form is analyzed to see if you qualify for any Federal, Florida or USFSP funding, and may be completed online.

• The FAFSA is available January 1, 2006 for academic year Fall 2006 to Summer 2007. Renew your FAFSA form every year.

• To file a FAFSA form, you must meet the eligibilty requirements.

How is Financial Aid applied to your Study Abroad program?

• If you indicate on your application form that you intend to use Financial Aid, we send a detailed analysis of the expected cost of your Summer program to the USFSP Financial Aid Office. This arrives by February 10.

• The Financial Aid Office estimates the amount of your Financial Aid package in March.

• You are responsible for paying the program fees minus the expected Financial Aid amount. This difference is due by the deadline for payment of fees.

• You should anticipate paying for your airline ticket and travel insurance in advance, even though the cost may later be reimbursed by Financial Aid.

• Any Financial Aid you receive will first be applied to program fees. The remainder will be disbursed to you in the normal way.

How many credits do I need to take to qualify for Financial Aid?

• To be eligible for Stafford Loans, you need to be enrolled at least half-time; that is, 6 credits for undergraduate students.

• Any other scholarship you receive may have different rules.

• If you attend USFSP Summer Study Abroad, and are not taking enough credits for your scholarship, you may be able to take more credits at USFSP during the remainder of the Summer semester to make up the difference

Can I use my Florida Prepaid College Plan savings?

• Florida prepaid tuition is measured in credit hours, and can be used to offset the cost of the tuition portion of the USFSP Study Abroad program.

• A reduction in the cost of the program will be calculated based on the number of credit hours a student enrolls for.

Can I use my Florida Bright Futures Scholarship?

• Unfortunately, Florida Bright Futures Scholarships cannot be used in Summer semester. Therefore they cannot be used to help fund a USFSP Summer Study Abroad program.
  

Are scholarships available?

• This is a list of funding sources that might be applicable to USFSP's Summer 2007 Study Abroad experiences.
  
  Freeman-ASIA Scholarships
  Freeman-ASIA scholarships are designed for students who receive (or would qualify) for need-based Financial Aid, who are US citizens or Permanent Residents, and who are going to study in Asia.