Possible to go abroad

Introduction

• Presentation date: Monday afternoon

• Presenters:

  • Catherine (program adviser, Education Abroad Office)

  • Elizabeth (City Abroad Outreach Coordinator for SAID)

• Purpose of the session: Discuss financial aid and scholarships related to education abroad programs.

Overview of Financial Aid and Scholarships

• Audience encouraged to ask questions throughout the session.

• Catherine plans to send slides to the professor after the presentation.

Educational Programs

• Types of Programs Offered:

  • Faculty-Led Programs:

  • Conducted during summertime.

  • Led by University of California, Riverside (UCR) faculty members.

  • University of California Education Abroad Program (UCEAP):

  • Involves studying at other universities abroad.

• Financial aid is applicable to both program types.

Funding Your Program

• Financial Aid:

  • Comprises various types of support:

  • Grants: e.g., Pell Grants.

  • Scholarships: Middle-income scholarships and other various types.

  • Loans:

    • Including Parent Plus loans, private loans, alternative loans.

  • Understanding different funding sources is essential to plan abroad finances.

  • Students encouraged to be proactive in planning additional expenses not covered by financial aid.

Planning for Expenses

• Addressing additional costs:

  • Students need to consider travel, accommodation, and personal expenses.

• Example:

  • If studying in Dublin, students may want to visit London, factoring in costs for tickets and accommodation.

Understanding Financial Aid Components

• Financial aid encompasses the following:

  • Grants like Pell Grants.

  • Scholarships targeting specific student demographics or merit.

  • Loans of different types.

• Veterans Benefits:

  • Financial aid opportunities for veterans and dependents.

  • Contact financial aid officers or the Veterans Resource Center for details.

• Impact of Program Duration on Aid:

  • Financial aid allocation is influenced by program type and duration.

  • Quarter-based programs generally allow similar aid as on-campus studies.

  • Full semester programs can enable two disbursements of financial aid since they span longer.

  • Finishers of quarter-based awards need to verify eligibility before going abroad.

Scholarships Opportunities

• Different scholarships exist beyond standard financial aid packages:

  • Scholarships supplement existing financial aid and are encouraged for application.

  • Potential amounts range significantly, influencing program financial viability.

• Summer Aid:

  • Generally limited, can decrease aid available for fall if summer is attended.

• Academic Year Aid:

  • Funding generally mirrors the funding received for a full academic year at UCR.

• Students are encouraged to use Scholarship Universe and other platforms for scholarship opportunities.

Financial Aid Officers

• Two designated financial aid officers:

  • Mary: Assists students with last names A through L.

  • Leslie: Assists students with last names M through Z.

• Emphasis on proactivity and preparation in financial planning for abroad experiences.

Financial Aid Essentials

• Three essentials for managing financial aid effectively:

  1. Know Your Costs:

     • Understand program costs thoroughly when engaging financial aid officers.

  2. Be Prepared for Delays:

     • Maintain an emergency fund to address delays in financial aid disbursement.

  3. Explore Total Costs of Programs:

     • Recognize additional expenses unaccounted for in program fees.

Accessing Program Costs

• Financial Planning for Faculty-Led Programs:

  • Costs can be viewed on the MyUCR Abroad page.

  • Includes accommodation, classroom fees, and excursions; excludes airfare and personal expenses.

• UCEAP Costs:

  • Estimated via program-specific pages on the UCEAP website.

  • Acknowledge out-of-pocket expenses separate from program fees.

Scholarships and Budgeting

• All available scholarships apply on top of financial aid.

• Amounts vary widely; applying widely increases chances of securing funding.

• Scholarship Application Tips:

  • Start early, read prompts carefully, reuse essays appropriately but customize for each.

  • Have concrete plans for how experiences will benefit both the individual and the community.

  • Proofread essays to avoid unnecessary mistakes and improve clarity.

• Check out available scholarships regularly, especially during application cycles corresponding to study abroad programs.

Common Scholarships Mentioned

• Fund for Education Abroad Scholarship:

  • National award based on financial need.

• Gilman Scholarship:

  • Restricted to Pell Grant recipients.

• UCR Specific Scholarships:

  • Include UCR-funded scholarships with broad eligibility; focus on low criteria barriers to application.

• Hostel International Explorer World Scholarship:

  • Offers additional funds for passport acquisition.

Conclusion and Resources

• Encouragement to attend WorldFest for education abroad fair.

• Availability of a collaborative office environment with supportive colleagues for students preparing to study abroad.

• Open for any questions and further clarifications regarding financial aid and scholarships.

Final Thoughts

• Students reminded of the importance and opportunities of smart financial planning.

• Support systems through financial aid officers and other campus resources are highlighted to assist in making informed financial decisions while studying abroad.