Using Financial Aid
Recent changes in federal law have made it possible for students to use some or all of their federal financial aid for BOTH short-term and semester study abroad.
Full-time, Valencia students who are eligible for Financial Aid can use these funds for study abroad programs that award academic credit and grades counted towards your cumulative GPA for study. Eligibility is determined by the type of study abroad program you attend, as well as the type of financial aid you receive. Only students earning a degree at Valencia are eligible. It is important that you begin this process at least one year prior to your program start date. Any program for which you will not receive transfer credits or grades is not eligible for any financial aid funds. Financial aid can be used to support summer study, as long as you are enrolled for academic credit and you meet all other requirements.
The first step in the process is to determine which study abroad program you will participate in and what the costs are. Put together a Budget Worksheet to ensure you have sufficient funds for the study abroad program.
SHORT-TERM STUDY ABROAD
Student should verify with an academic advisor and a financial aid advisor to determine how participation in this study abroad program will affect their overall financial aid package. Also, courses must fit within the student's education plan in order for financial aid to cover it.
- SAGE scholarships will be authorized prior to the program balance due date so students know what their balance is.
- Financial aid is disbursed two weeks after the start of the LAST class of the semester.
SEMESTER STUDY ABROAD
For semester programs, check with your academic dean to ensure that the courses you are going to take will transfer back to Valencia. You will need to fill out the Course Pre-Approval and Consortium Agreement Form for Study Abroad before you go. These forms will be required when you meet with the Financial Aid Services Department. NOTE: You must have at least one semester of coursework behind you, and you must be registered as a Valencia student in order to participate. You cannot attend a program AFTER your graduation date using financial aid or scholarship funds. NOTE: It is important to meet with a Financial Aid Services advisor prior to accepting any scholarship money to determine if it will affect your overall financial aid package.
Take your budget and the course approval forms to your Financial Aid Services advisor for him or her to review to determine your eligibility. Eligibility is determined by the type of program you attend, as well as the type of financial aid you receive.
| Financial Aid Funding Source |
Valencia Study Abroad |
Affiliate Study Abroad |
| Federal Pell Grant |
YES |
YES |
| Federal SEOG |
YES |
NO |
| Federal Work-Study |
NO |
NO |
| Federal Stafford Loans |
YES |
YES |
| Federal PLUS Loans |
YES |
YES |
| Valencia Student Development Funding |
YES |
NO |
| Valencia Foundation |
YES |
NO |
| Valencia SAGE Grants |
YES |
NO |
| Gilman International Scholarship Program |
YES |
YES |
| David L. Boren Scholarships |
NO |
YES |
| Florida Student Assistance Grant |
YES |
NO |
| Florida Bright Futures |
YES |
NO |
For more information, check out the following resources:
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