Study Abroad Checklist

When you decide to Study Abroad, one of your major concerns is probably the cost - the cost of the program as well as the cost of traveling to and living in another country. If you are eligible, you may use financial aid to help pay for your study abroad experience. REMEMBER THE COURSE WORK YOU TAKE WHILE ON A STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM MUST TRANSFER BACK AND APPLY TOWARD YOUR DEGREE.

You may already receive financial aid to assist you with educational expenses or you may plan to apply for financial aid to help with the cost of study abroad. The following checklist will help you remember the necessary steps to take.

If you plan to apply your existing financial aid to study abroad, contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid at (405)744-6604.

One of the early steps you need to take is to get a cost of living estimate from your host university. The Study Abroad Coordinator, Gerry Auel can help you with this step.

To apply for Federal/ State Financial Aid:

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) - paper applications are available in 119 Student Union or in the Student Services Offices of the individual OSU Colleges. - electronic application can be completed by using FAFSA Express in the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, 213 Student Union, or by using FAFSA on the Web at www.fafsa.ed.gov;
Provide the required supporting documents (U.S. Income Tax Returns, for example) as requested by the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid;
Review your Financial Aid Award Letter and accept or decline offers. Return the signed award letter to 119 Student Union. If you are accepting a Federal Loan, you will need to have completed a Master Prom Note (MPN) using your FAFSA pin number at http://dlenote.ed.gov and entrance interview at www.dl.ed.gov.

Check with the Bursar – Student Loans, 113 Student Union, telephone (405) 744-6447, regarding the processing or your promissory note if you are accepting a Federal Perkins Loan.
If you are a previous borrower in any of the following loan programs, you should contact the holder of your loan to ensure you have complete deferment forms and any other information required to keep you in good standing in these programs:
-Federal Perkins Loan
-Federal Subsized or Federal Unsubsidized Stafford Loans
-Federal Ford Direct Subsidized or unsubsidized Stafford Loans

If you hold scholarships or plan to apply for scholarships….

Check with the awarding Agency/Department to see whether you can use your scholarship money to study abroad.
Apply for the following OSU programs:
-Continuing University Fee Waivers – application is available online beginning (approximately) December 1 or via the Web at www.okstate.edu/finaid. Application deadline is March 1.
-Departmental Scholarships may be offered specifically for study abroad. Check with the individual College Student Service Office.
-Freshman and Transfer Fee/Tuition Waivers – apply using the OSU Application for admission and filling out the scholarship application. Check with Office of High School and College Relations, 219 Student Union, or the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid, 119 Student Union.

Important Facts To Know About Federal Financial Aid Disbursements In Regard To Study Abroad

Disbursement of Federal Student Aid cannot occur until the first day of attendance at the host institution. This attendance must be confirmed by faxing official documentation to Study Abroad Office. She will forward this information to the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid
Disbursements are divided by the type of terms at the host institution, for example, into blocks, quarters, or semester. Your financial aid may be disbursed in increments that differ from the traditional two-semester academic year.
If you are studying abroad for more than one block, semester or quarter, the subsequent term’s financial aid cannot be disbursed until you submit the grades for completed coursework.

Official grades for completed coursework at the host institution must be received before disbursement will be made to students returning to OSU for subsequent terms within the current academic year (for example, spring or summer) or for the next academic year for students returning to the U.S. in late spring or summer.