The Office of Scholarships&Student Aid

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The Office of Scholarships & Student Aid

Travel/Study Abroad

Who is eligible?

Students who are enrolled or accepted for enrollment in a degree program at UNC-CH
Students who will participate in a study abroad program sponsored by UNC-CH
Students who are eligible for funds administered by the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid
UNC-CH School of Law students whose study abroad programs are approved by the Law School

What is the application process?

Complete the FAFSA by March 1 for the most comprehensive award and no later than nine weeks prior to the study abroad departure date.
Undergraduate students applying for need-based gift assistance for the academic year based on the regular costs of attending UNC-CH in Chapel Hill must also complete the PROFILE and it must be received by the March 1 deadline at the College Scholarship Service.
*NOTE: This Office does not award special scholarships for the additional costs of study abroad. No gift assistance is available for summer programs.
Law Students applying for Federal Stafford Loans to attend study abroad programs sponsored by other American law schools must follow an additional set of procedures. There is a special packet of forms in 111 Pettigrew Hall for law students who plan to study abroad.
All students must request from and send to the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid a Study Abroad Enrollment Agreement form.

When are funds delivered?

Once a student has met all the requirements for disbursement, funds will feed to the Cashier’s Office. This typically occurs before the first week of class on campus. If the disbursement equirements are met after the beginning of the semester, then the financial aid disbursement will be delayed.
If financial aid exceeds the charges, then a credit balance check is available to the student the first day of University classes and not before, regardless of the start date of the study abroad program.
If a student will not pick up the check in person at the Cashier’s Office, the student must request from and send directlyto the Cashier’s Office a Request For Direct Deposit form..

May financial aid recipients defer study abroad charges?

No charges for programs administered by the Summer School may be deferred.
For other programs, the initial enrollment deposit may not be deferred unless there are unusual and extenuating circumstances. Discuss this with the Study Abroad office.
Once a student has paid the enrollment deposit, a student who will receive financial aid may request a deferment of remaining charges from the University Cashier.

What types of financial aid are available for summer programs?

Federal Stafford loan. Students may only borrow that remaining portion of the twelve-month maximum that is not borrowed during the academic year, not to exceed the cost of the program.
Parent PLUS Loans.
Alternative Loans
Students should request from and send to the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid both a Summer Financial Aid Application and a Study Abroad Enrollment Agreement form by April 1. If not already receiving financial aid, students must submit the 2009-2010 FAFSA to Federal Student Aid Programs immediately.

How are applications for future periods after study abroad obtained?

All students who plan to return to UNC-CH after study abroad and wish to be considered for aid should apply by the March 1 receipt deadline. This means completing the FAFSA and, in most case, the PROFILE, also.

What other sources of assistance are there?

Students should contact their local Rotary Club a year in advance of going abroad for possible assistance.
The Class of 1938 Scholarship, a competitive scholarship awarded for outstanding independent study proposals, is administered by the UNC International Center.
The Scholarship Resource Center in 119 Vance Hall has information about scholarships through other organizations, agencies and donors.
The Study Abroad Office web site also has listings of financial aid and links to other sites that provide financial aid for study abroad.

What if I am still lacking financial aid resources for study abroad?

Your parent(s) may apply for a Parent PLUS Loan. Request forms are available from the Office of Scholarships and Student Aid. The terms are not as attractive as the Stafford loan program, but you do not have to go through the process of completing the FAFSA.
Also, our office can provide a list of Alternative Lending Agencies who offer Education Loans that can be used to cover study abroad. You may not borrow additional money beyond the cost of attendance for your program. For example, some students extend their stay abroad and incur costs outside of the program projections.