masfaa 2013 october 6 th – 9 th, 2013 indianapolis, indiana study abroad: best practices in...

MASFAA 2013

October 6th – 9th, 2013

Indianapolis, Indiana

Study Abroad: Best Practices in Advising

Tyler Arens

Financial Aid Advisor

Michigan State University

Heidi Johnson

Financial Aid Senior Advisor

University of Wisconsin – Madison

Overview

Value of study abroad Advising students on selection and

budgeting◦ Strategies for selecting a study abroad

program◦ Sample budgets◦ Tips on saving money abroad

Financial Aid applicability Study abroad scholarships

◦ Benjamin A. Gilman2

By studying abroad, students can develop….

an understanding of themselves culturally and the ability to use this knowledge to live and work effectively in diverse settings and with diverse individuals

the knowledge and skills associated with international, global, and intercultural content areas such as language, geography, history;

a desire and ability to seek out and use diverse sources of information to inform their decision making; and

a desire and ability to engage in communities of practice as citizens and scholars.

3

Study Abroad: Best Practices in Advising

Advising students on selection and budgeting

4

Selecting a Program

Consider different types of programs.◦ Semester v. Full Year v. Short-Term◦ Home-school program v. Affiliated/Third-Party v. Exchange◦ Internship

Look outside of Western Europe for less expensive options.

Consider what is included in the program costs.◦ Excursions?◦ Local transportation?◦ Insurance?◦ Visa processing?◦ Can you work in this country?

Comparison shop.

5

Budgets

Before you start…- Know your current comprehensive costs

(tuition + room + board).- Understand your school’s study abroad costs.

◦ Home-school tuition v program tuition?◦ Additional study abroad/application fee?◦ Can you use your financial aid? All, some, none?

- Have a sense of what your current personal expenses are.- Have a sense of what your bottom line is.

6

Budgets

MSU Sample Undergraduate Budgets

Michigan students/semesterUndergraduate

Out-of-state students/semesterUndergraduate

Tuition & Fees $6,813 (15 cr.) $17,165 (15 cr.)

Room & Board $4,428 $4,428

Books & Supplies $522 $522

Personal & Misc $994 $1,321

Total Budget $12,757 $23,436

7

Budgets

UW- Madison Sample Undergraduate Budgets

8

UW –Madison Sample Undergraduate Budgets

Wisconsin students/semesterUndergraduate

Out-of-state students/semesterUndergraduate

Tuition $5,201 (12 Cr.) $13,326 (12 Cr.)

Room and Board $4,590 $4,590

Books and Supplies $600 $600

Miscellaneous & Travel

$1,719 $1,719

Total Budget $12,110 $20,235

MSU Sample Exchange Budget

9

MSU Sample Direct Enrollment Budget

10

UW-Madison Sample Exchange Budget

Sydney Australia, University of Sydney Exchange

In State Resident

Program Fee $6650.00 (fixed cost)

Estimated Additional Expenses:

Airfare $2200.00

Health Insurance $200.00

Books and Supplies $500.00

Housing $5000.00

Local Transportation $500.00

Meals $1650.00

Personal/Miscellaneous $1900.00

Visa $580.00

Total Cost of Attendance $19,180.00

Program Fee includes academic expenses, administrative costs, mandatory health insurance, orientation and internship placement.

11

UW-Madison Sample Direct Enrollment Budget

Sydney, Australia, Macquarie University

In State Resident

Program Fee $11,700.00 (fixed cost)

Estimated Additional Expenses:

Airfare $2200.00

Health Insurance $300.00

Books and Supplies $400.00

Housing $4000.00

Local Transportation $800.00

Meals $1450.00

Personal/Miscellaneous $1500.00

Visa $580.00

Total Cost of Attendance $22,930.00

Program Fee includes academic expenses, administrative costs, mandatory health insurance, orientation.

12

Money Saving Tip

Before you go… Create a personal budget Do your research

◊ Travel guides, websites Look for group or student fares

◊ STA, Student Universe Apply for discount cards, memberships

◊ ISIC, IYH, YHA Check your bank

◊ Make sure you understand what fees you’ll be charged for using your ATM or credit card abroad; research fees with other banks.

13

Money Saving Tip

While you are there… Travel

◊ Plan trips ahead of time.◊ Travel in chunks of time versus traveling every weekend.◊ Use hostels rather than hotels ◊ Explore your host city.

Eating◊ Eat in by cooking instead of eating meals out.◊ Share meals.◊ Eat like a local: shop local markets, get staff suggestions

for cafés.◊ Identify inexpensive places where domestic students eat.

Avoid tourist traps

14

Money Saving Tip

Communication◊ Use Skype and pre-paid calling cards.◊ Send old-fashioned letters and postcards.

Transportation◊ Use buses and metro rather than cabs; walk!◊ For trips, remember to compare train and air prices.◊ Think about overnight travel—save the cost of a room.

Shopping◊ Wait to buy! Especially for souvenirs, compare prices.◊ If bartering is part of the local custom, then barter.◊ Local Markets often less expensive than stores◊ Take a local friend with you to get a better deal.

15

Money Saving Tip

Money◊ Follow your budget! Keep track of what you spend.◊ Pay cash: it’s easy to overspend with credit cards.◊ Don’t carry lots of cash with you—less temptation to

spend.◊ Use your discount cards (ISIC, IYH, university ID).

16

Study Abroad: Best Practices in Advising

Commonly Asked Questions Can I use my financial aid to pay for my study abroad program?

◊ Yes, generally students can apply their financial aid (including loans) to assist in covering the cost of studying abroad.

Can I use work study while studying abroad?◊ No.

What about my scholarships?◊ You will need to check with the donor of the scholarship to determine if it may be used

for study abroad.

How can I apply for scholarships for study abroad?◊ Check with the college/department sponsoring your study abroad program as well as

your home college/department. Your Study Abroad/International Engagement Office may also administer scholarships for study abroad.

I have been awarded my maximum amounts in FAFSA aid. What are my other options beyond scholarships?

◊ Once you have exhausted your FAFSA eligibility for the year in addition to applying for scholarships, you may also be eligible to apply for a Parent PLUS or private student loan up to your cost of attendance (i.e. study abroad financial aid budget).

17

Study Abroad: Best Practices in Advising

Commonly Asked Questions How will my charges be paid?

◊ If you are being billed through your home school’s Bursar’s Office, your financial aid will first be applied to your study abroad program fees. If a credit balance is created a refund check will be distributed to you. If your financial aid does not cover your charges in full you will be responsible for paying the difference by the due date. If you are not being billed by your home school’s Bursar’s Office your financial aid will be sent to you as a refund and you will be responsible for using the refund to pay your bill by the due date.

Where will my refund check be mailed?◊ Your refund check will be mailed to your current mailing address as listed with

your home school. We encourage you to update your address to someone who can deposit the check for you as you will be traveling when the checks are mailed after disbursement takes place.

Can I pick up my refund check in person?◊ No, refund checks must be mailed or direct deposited into your checking or

savings account.

18

Study Abroad: Best Practices in Advising

Financial Aid Applicability

19

Financial Aid Applicability

Financial aid resources may be used for education abroad.◊ Higher Education Act: Allows students to

use federal aid for education abroad if credit is approved by home institution

◊ Consortium agreement with another institution

◊ Federal aid follows the student, not institution

20

Financial Aid Applicability

File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA.gov)

Financial aid for education abroad usually comes in the form of federal grants and federal or private loans.◊ Scholarship money is critical.

21

Financial Aid Applicability

Types of Aid Availability Federal Grants

◊ Federal Pell Grant◊ Federal Supplemental Educational

Opportunities Grant (SEOG) Federal Loans

◊ Federal Direct Loans◊ Federal Perkins Loans◊ Federal Parent PLUS Loans for

Undergraduate Students22

Financial Aid Applicability

Types of Aid Availability Private Alternative Loans

◊ Nonfederal educational loan issued by a private lender

State Aid◊ MCS, MET, MESP, WI State Grant

Institutional Aid◊ Some institutions may allow you to apply aid you

would normally receive while on-campus Study Abroad Scholarships

◊ National, local and institutional23

Delivering Aid

Develop special budgets for financial aid◊ E.g. Program fee, tuition and additional costs◊ Advise that costs are per program, not student

Federal funds cannot disburse until the 10th day before the first day of classes.

Direct Deposit refunds of excess financial aid Options for advance costs such as airfare

24

Interfacing with the Study Abroad Office

25

Interfacing with the Study Abroad Office

26

Interfacing with the Study Abroad Office

27

Interfacing with the Study Abroad Office

28

Interfacing with the Study Abroad Office

The Study Abroad Process 1. Students are registered for the study abroad placeholder credits and are

assigned the Off Campus Program checklist. 2. I am sent the lists of participants with their program information and costs

of attendance. UW-Madison offers study abroad programs through the following offices/departments:

◊ International Academic Programs (IAP)◊ School of Business◊ College of Engineering◊ College of Agriculture and Life Sciences◊ School of Law◊ College of Human Ecology◊ Political Science Department

3. I update the students’ costs of attendance to reflect the information provided and Award Reconciliation revises students’ financial aid awards as applicable.

4. I complete the Off Campus Program checklist.

29

Interfacing with the Study Abroad Office

30

Interfacing with the Study Abroad Office

How can we best work together? Funding is a crucial piece of the study

abroad puzzle Is there a financial aid advisor dedicated

to education abroad students? Communication and coordination are

key to working with the Financial Aid Office

31

Study Abroad: Best Practices in Advising

Scholarships forEducation Abroad

32

Scholarships for Education Abroad

Study Abroad Office scholarships Departmental scholarships for study

abroad Department scholarships or research

grants which would be applicable to study abroad

33

Scholarships for Education Abroad

Affiliate Programs◊ SIT matches Pell grant awards on many programs◊ Many have partnered w/ DiversityAbroad.com

• AIFS: $500 or $1000• GlobaLinks: $1000• Semester at Sea: 50% off the cost of the least expensive cabin • Turkish Coalition of America: $2000, $1000, or $500 (UG or GR)

Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad◊ Summer & fall study abroad scholarships ($1000)◊ 3.5 GPA

Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships◊ $27,000/academic year (or equivalent in host country

currency)

34

Scholarships for Education Abroad

Boren Scholarships – (undergraduate students)◊ Awards up to $8,000/summer

• Special initiative for STEM students only; 8 weeks minimum

◊ Awards up to $10,000 /semester◊ Awards up to $20,000/year◊ Goal: Promote long term linguistic and cultural immersion◊ Outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand◊ Requires 1 year of government service

Boren Fellowships – (graduate students)• Awards up to $24,000/year• Goal: To add important international & language component to grad.

studies• Outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand• Minimum of 3 months and maximum of 1 year overseas

− Priority given to programs 6 months or longer & STEM majors− Requires 1 year of government service

35

Scholarships for Education Abroad

The Language Flagship Fellowships◊ Graduate students (2 year commitment)◊ Goal: Overseas immersion program & attainment of master’s

degree◊ Languages: Arabic, Chinese, Korean, or Persian◊ Scholarship includes the following expenses over 2 years:

• Tuition• A modest stipend for living expenses• Support for travel costs• Health insurance coverage

Bridging Scholarship for Study in Japan◊ $2500/semester, $4000/academic year

Freeman Asia Scholarship◊ Asia or Southeast Asia◊ Awards up to $5000/semester or $3000/summer

36

Scholarships for Education Abroad

Online databases◊ DiversityAbroad.com◊ IEFA.org◊ InternationalScholarships.com◊ Scholarships.com◊ StudyAbroadFunding.org

37

Scholarships for Education Abroad

Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship The program aims to diversify the kinds of

students who study abroad and the countries and regions where they go by supporting undergraduates who might otherwise not participate due to financial constraints.

Funded through the US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

38

Scholarships for Education Abroad

Benjamin A. Gilman ScholarshipEligibility Criteria

U.S. Citizen Undergraduate student Federal Pell Grant recipient Receiving academic credit Anywhere in the world not currently under a

U.S. Department of State Travel Warning or Cuba

Minimum four weeks long in one location39

Scholarships for Education Abroad

Benjamin A. Gilman ScholarshipPriority given to:

Diverse students◊ Ethnic background◊ Non-traditional students◊ First generation college students◊ Students with disabilities◊ Students in STEM majors◊ Community College and Minority Serving Institution

Diverse program types and locations◊ Non-traditional locations ◊ Language based programs◊ Year-long or semester programs given priority

40

Scholarships for Education Abroad

Benjamin A. Gilman ScholarshipTips for Writing a Competitive Essay:

Why you, why this program and why this location? Be specific about diversity in your essay

◊ The reader will not know your background unless you write about it◊ Talk about the challenges you have overcome

Make sure you “poofread” your essay“I am excited to study aboard and submerge myself in the Chinese

culture.” Talk to your Gilman advisor and writing center Follow-on project should:

◊ Give back and inspire others to go abroad◊ Be realistic and attainable◊ Partner with established organizations

You, too, can be a Gilman Panelist!

41

Study Abroad: Best Practices in Advising

Questions

42

Study Abroad: Best Practices in Advising

Thank you for attending!

T

Tyler Arens --Arenst@msu.edu

Heidi Johnson – heidi.johnson@finaid.wisc.edu

43