The review of your financial aid eligibility begins by establishing a cost of attendance (COA) for your study abroad program. The cost of attendance consists of items such as program fees, room and board or living expenses, books and supplies, airfare, and personal expenses. The COA for UVA programs are set by the International Studies Office.
After your COA for your study abroad term has been determined, we calculate your financial need. Financial need is defined as the difference between your cost of attendance and the contribution from your family. Once your financial need is calculated, we will award you financial aid based on your need with the exception of any federal work study you are eligible for during the term you are studying abroad (see below for more information). This does not apply to fall or spring embedded study abroad programs or January Term. Note that students are not eligible for federal work study during the summer.
Example One: Fourth Year Student, Non-Virginia Resident | |||||
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For an On-Grounds Semester | For a Study Abroad Semester | ||||
UVA Cost of Attendance | $34,545 | Study Abroad Cost of Attendance | $25,750 | ||
Contribution from the family | $5,000 | Contribution from the family | $5,000 | ||
Financial Need | $29,545 | Financial Need | $20,750 | ||
Financial Aid Awards | Financial Aid Awards | ||||
Federal Subsidized Direct Loan | $2,750 | Federal Subsidized Direct Loan | $2,750 | ||
Institutional Loan | $750 | Institutional Loan | $750 | ||
Federal Work Study | $2,000 | Federal Work Study* | $0 | ||
Access UVA Scholarship | $19,045 | Access UVA Scholarship | $15,250 | ||
Unsubsidized Direct Loan | $1,000 | Unsubsidized Direct Loan | $1,000 | ||
Total Financial Aid Offered | $25,545 | Total Financial Aid Offered | $19,750 | ||
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Estimated Out of Pocket Cost | $4,000 | Estimated Out of Pocket Cost |
| $6,000 | |
*Students awarded work study and who choose to study abroad for a term should be advised they will not be able to work in a work-study eligible job during that study abroad term.
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Example Two: Second Year, Virginia Resident |
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For an On-Grounds Semester |
For a Study Abroad Semester |
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UVA Cost of Attendance |
$17,280 |
Study Abroad Cost of Attendance |
$16,395 |
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Contribution from the family |
$18,000 |
Contribution from the family |
$18,000 |
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Financial Need |
$0 |
Financial Need |
$0 |
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Financial Aid Awards |
Financial Aid Awards |
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Unsubsidized Direct Loan |
$3,250 |
Unsubsidized Direct Loan |
$3,250 |
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Total Financial Aid Offered |
$3,250 |
Total Financial Aid Offered |
$3,250 |
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Estimated Out of Pocket Cost |
$14,030 |
Estimated Out of Pocket Cost |
$13,145 |
Reminder:
- Student Financial Services (SFS) does not increase grant aid to cover the additional cost of study abroad programs.
- In most cases, we will award the student the maximum annual Direct Loan amount for which they are eligible. Please visit our loans page and scroll down to the section titled “Direct Loan Maximums” to see these maximum amounts by year. The additional out of pocket cost can be covered by Parent PLUS or private loans. Most students have already used their annual maximum for the Direct Loan. If you are unsure of your Direct Loan availability, check the View Financial Aid section of your SIS account under Financials.
Please remember to report any scholarships that you have been awarded for your study abroad program to Student Financial Services. Your scholarship(s) may affect your financial aid eligibility.
Once your financial aid eligibility has been reviewed, you will see adjustments to your financial aid in your SIS account under View Financial Aid. If you have been offered Federal Direct Loans or Institutional Loans and you wish to borrow these loans, you must accept these awards online.
To receive your Federal Direct Loans:
1) Accept/Decline your Direct Loans in your SIS account.
2) If you are a first time Federal Direct Loan Borrower, complete an Application/Master Promissory Note and complete Loan Entrance Counseling at StudentAid.gov.
A Note on Federal Work Study
Students are not allowed to use work study funds during the term abroad. Student Financial Services will not fill that work study amount with financial aid. However, students can apply for funds from their school or department, apply for an ISO scholarship (paying attention to application deadlines), request an increase to their current loans (under certain circumstances), request a Parent PLUS loan, take out a private education loan, or pay out of pocket for any difference.