Applying for Financial Aid to Study Abroad
Most kinds of Federal and State financial aid can be used on foreign study programs. Many students have used aid successfully in conjunction with study abroad.
However, to make financial aid work for you, you need to follow the guidelines below:
Apply early for financial aid as early as possible so you can be considered for all sources of aid for which you might be eligible and have adequate processing time to meet program deadlines. Always apply for scholarships by filling out the Southern Online Scholarship Application (SOSA) and reviewing outside scholarships. If you are a student who receives Raider Aid, be aware that they are not applicable to some exchange programs. Check with the International Programs Office at 541.552.6336 if you have questions.
A recipient must have available funds, separate from Financial Aid, to purchase airline tickets and other necessary pre-departure expenses.
Study abroad financial aid recipients must have their data verified before their files are reviewed. This means turning in any requested documents, such as signed Verification Worksheets or Federal Tax copies. Once a student has accepted an aid offer, loan promissory notes and loan entrance counseling may need to be completed. Students who are taking a Federal Direct Loan and have never done loan entrance counseling before can do it online at the Federal student aid website. No aid will be released to your SOU account unless all required financial aid steps have been completed.
Financial Aid While You Are Away
When you are accepted to one of the exchange programs please contact Financial Aid at 541.552.6600 or email at studentservices@sou.edu . Your aid package will be revised according to the new, foreign budget.
Be aware that dependent students may have already reached their annual borrowing limit through the Federal Direct Loan Program and will need to borrow additional alternative loans through private lending agencies. Furthermore, parent(s) must have good credit to obtain the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan. Please allow extra time for processing. These loans must be in place before leaving the country.
Students who receive Veterans Benefits must contact the Veterans Certifying official by email at VABenefits@sou.edu to find out what is required to maintain those benefits while on the exchange program or for help with loan deferment problems while you are abroad.
Before you leave, you must meet with Mame Niang in Raider Student Services to sign a Power of Attorney if necessary. You can email her at niangm@sou.edu. This is your contact to manage your aid funds while you are abroad.