Study Abroad | Office of Student Financial Aid

Completing the FAFSA

If you plan to study abroad and want to be considered for financial assistance, you still need to complete and submit the FAFSA.

Registering for Study Abroad

To receive financial aid funds, you must be registered for study abroad and paying range III tuition and fees at the Urbana campus. You can also find more information about range III tuition and fees on the Office of the Registrar’s website for your individual program. Grants and scholarships can be affected if you’re registered for less than 12 hours (6 hours for the summer term). Speak to your study abroad program coordinator regarding registration and study abroad charges.

Study Abroad Process

Once you’re admitted to a study abroad program and are registered in the appropriate placeholder course(s), the Office of Student Financial Aid will obtain a study abroad budget that’s been signed by your study abroad advisor. This will replace your on-campus budget for your time abroad.

For short program excursions (i.e., winter break), the on-campus cost is increased and you’re offered additional loan funding only. In most cases, you will have already received an initial Financial Aid Notification for study on campus. After your study abroad budget is reviewed, an updated Financial Aid Notification reflecting the adjustments in your aid package will be created and an email will be sent to you.

If you’re studying abroad over the summer, you must also complete and submit our Summer Financial Aid Application.

Loans, Grants, Scholarships, & Waivers

If your study abroad program cost is less than your on-campus cost of attendance, your aid will be adjusted to reflect the study abroad cost. As a result, some of your gift assistance may be reduced.

Studying abroad doesn’t make you more eligible for gift assistance if the cost is higher than your on-campus cost of attendance. Tuition waivers only cover your Illinois tuition assessment; they don’t cover foreign tuition or study abroad fees, and you must pay any additional charges. Some students who otherwise wouldn’t be eligible for a need-based loan may become eligible for a Direct Subsidized Loan as a result of the increased costs of studying abroad.

Any increase in financial aid to help meet the additional costs of studying abroad will usually require additional loan money such as a Direct Subsidized, Direct Unsubsidized, Direct Parent PLUS, or Alternative Educational Loans. Federal loan limits do apply. For more information, visit Loans.

Note that students who register for 3 or more credit hours and are eligible for the MAP grant will receive the lesser of their MAP grant or range III tuition, the general fee, and student insurance. Students who register for fewer than 3 credit hours aren’t eligible to receive the MAP grant. Students who receive the Child of Employee Tuition Waiver may elect to suspend the waiver and reserve eligibility for future semesters by submitting a written request to our office or by email.

Financial Aid by Trip Type

Trip Type	Travel	Enrollment	What financial aid applies to this trip?	What is the financial aid processing timeline?	Do I need to apply for/submit anything for financial aid?
Fall Semester	Departure varies based on your program	Full-time fall semester	Almost all financial aid from the Financial Aid Notification can be applied to a full semester study abroad program, including merit scholarships. Grant/scholarship aid is NOT increased if the program costs are greater than your on-campus costs. Grant/scholarship aid will be reduced if the program costs are less than your on-campus costs.	Students receive initial financial aid package in late spring/early summer. The fall half is manually adjusted for study abroad costs through June and July. Financial aid disbursement (mid-August) and billing deadlines (September 28) are the same as when on campus.	NO
Winter Break	Winter Break (late December/January)	Usually one course (1-4 hours) during the fall semester; sometimes one course during spring	Unused federal loan eligibility only, or scholarships obtained outside of the Office of Student Financial Aid	Students are billed in October (due November 28), and those with FAFSA are emailed by finaidstudyabroad@illinois.edu in late October/early November asking if they would like to utilize federal loans.	YES; you must reply to the email from finaidstudyabroad@illinois.edu asking if you are interested in loans to be offered them, and then accept loans/complete all requirements by early December
Spring Semester	Departure varies based on your program	Full-time fall semester	Almost all financial aid from the Financial Aid Notification can be applied to a full semester study abroad program, including merit scholarships. Grant/scholarship aid is NOT increased if the program costs are greater than your on-campus costs. Grant/scholarship aid will be reduced if the program costs are less than your on-campus costs.	Students receive initial financial aid package in late spring/early summer. The spring half is manually adjusted for study abroad costs beginning mid-November after students are registered for the spring semester. Financial aid disbursement (mid-January) and billing deadlines (February 28) are the same as when on campus.	NO
Spring Break	Spring Break (March)	Usually one course (1-4 hours) during the spring semester	Unused federal loan eligibility only, or scholarships obtained outside of the Office of Student Financial Aid	Students are billed in March (due April 28), and those with FAFSA are emailed by finaidstudyabroad@illinois.edu in late October/early November asking if they would like to utilize federal loans.	YES; you must reply to the email from finaidstudyabroad@illinois.edu asking if you are interested in loans to be offered them, and then accept loans/complete all requirements by early May
Summer Short-Term	Mid-to-late May (after spring semester ends)	Usually one course (1-4 hours) during the spring semester	Unused federal loan eligibility only, or scholarships obtained outside of the Office of Student Financial Aid	Students are billed in April (due May 28), and those with FAFSA are emailed by finaidstudyabroad@illinois.edu in late October/early November asking if they would like to utilize federal loans.	YES; you must reply to the email from finaidstudyabroad@illinois.edu asking if you are interested in loans to be offered them, and then accept loans/complete all requirements by early May.
Summer	May, June, and/or July	Summer term (any combination of summer sessions)	Aid for summer is extremely limited, and generally only federal loans are available (if any eligibility remains from the fall/spring terms)	Summer aid package created generally 2-3 weeks after a summer aid application is submitted.	YES; the summer aid application will be available at www.osfa.illinois.edu in early April and can be submitted after registering for summer courses.

Release of Information

OSFA will only discuss financial aid information with the student and parent(s) listed on the current year FAFSA.

Power of Attorney

A Power of Attorney agreement is recommended so designated individuals will be able to sign your name to legal documents while you are abroad in the event it becomes necessary. This can be done in the Student Legal Services office at the Illini Union.

Receiving Funds

Most of your financial aid funds will be credited directly to your university student account shortly before the first day of classes for the corresponding semester of registration on campus. As aid is credited, Study Abroad (Range III) tuition and fees as well as any study abroad program fees charged to your account will be deducted from your financial aid. If you’re expecting a refund to cover additional costs of studying abroad, it will be directly deposited into your personal bank account 3 to 5 business days after your aid has been disbursed.

Direct deposit is a safe, confidential, convenient, and fast way to receive your student refund. With direct deposit, your financial aid refund is electronically transferred into your bank account. Authorizing direct deposit of refunds gives you the quickest access to your funds. If you have questions concerning the direct deposit program, contact the University Bursar.

Study abroad students receive their aid at the same time as those studying at Illinois. If family resources are insufficient to make a necessary payment, many sponsoring institutions accept a copy of a Financial Aid Notification as proof of your ability to pay later. On this basis, institutions often grant an extension of the due date. If the institution requires additional documentation, discuss this with a Financial Aid Administrator.

Resources

Contact Us

Email: finaidstudyabroad@illinois.edu

Fall 2026 study abroad-specific walk in hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 2-4 p.m.

Gilman Scholarship applications are reviewed by our team based on the student’s last name. Please select the appropriate financial aid administrator on your application.

A-Ha Miranda King
He-O Megan Hanson
P-Z Caroline Zermeno (for students applying for the October 2026 cycle, select Bethany Carmien Onwodi)