How the Financial Aid Process Works for Study Abroad

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 apply the financial aid that you would have been eligible to receive if you were studying on-Grounds for the same term.

Example One: Fourth Year Student, Non-Virginia Resident

Example One: Fourth Year Student, Non-Virginia Resident

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

   

 

 

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.

Example Two: Second Year, Virginia Resident

Example Two: Second Year, Virginia Resident

 

For an On-Grounds Semester

For a Study Abroad Semester

UVA Cost of Attendance

$17,280

Study Abroad Cost of Attendance

$16,395

Contribution from the family

$18,000

Contribution from the family

$18,000

Financial Need

$0

Financial Need

$0

Financial Aid Awards

Financial Aid Awards

Unsubsidized Direct Loan

$3,250

Unsubsidized Direct Loan

$3,250

Total Financial Aid Offered

$3,250

Total Financial Aid Offered

$3,250

 

 

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.