Finance your study abroad

Financing Your Study Abroad

If you’re planning to study abroad, be sure to file the FAFSA and take any necessary steps to secure the aid you're awarded. You should also apply for study abroad scholarships.

Your financial aid package will not increase if you choose to study abroad. However, your cost of attendance may increase, which will give you and/or your parents to apply for additional loans.

It’s also important to remember that:

  • Your financial aid cannot be disbursed early, even if your study abroad program starts before UAlbany’s semester begins. 
  • Winter programs are added to your spring cost of attendance, which means the aid does not disburse until the spring semester begins.
  • If you are close to graduating, you’ll need to provide proof that the credits you’re taking abroad will count toward your degree in order to receive federal aid.

Please talk to a financial aid advisor about whether you can cover the cost of study abroad before you commit to a program. Contact Student Financial Services at [email protected] or 518-442-3202 to set up an appointment.

 

Securing Financial Aid

SUNY four-year colleges & universities' study abroad programs

If you plan to use financial aid for a SUNY study abroad program, you must: 

  • Be matriculated in a program of study and enrolled for a minimum of 6 credits through the University at Albany or another 4-year SUNY institution. 

  • Register for a study abroad class. (Please contact the Study Abroad office for instructions.)

  • Complete the FAFSA by the deadline for the appropriate term. Students who are New York State residents and plan to receive TAP while studying abroad should also complete the TAP Application. 

  • Submit the Summer Financial Aid Application if you are participating in summer study abroad. Find the application under the “Finances” tab on MyUAlbany. (The application becomes available each year in mid-April.)

  • Submit your letter of acceptance into the study abroad program and a detailed estimate of program costs from the host school to the Office of Financial Aid if you are studying abroad through another SUNY school's program.

  • Fill out a cross-registration form if you are studying abroad through another 4-year SUNY institution's program.

SUNY community colleges & Non-SUNY institutions' study abroad programs

If you plan to use financial aid for a study abroad program available through a SUNY community college or an institution outside the SUNY system, you must: 

  • Be matriculated in a program of study at UAlbany and enrolled in a study abroad program for a minimum of 6 credits through a SUNY community college or an institution outside the SUNY system. 

  • Complete the FAFSA by the deadline for the appropriate term. Students who are New York State residents and plan to receive TAP while studying abroad should also complete the TAP Application. (Note: You will not be eligible for TAP if you are studying abroad through a college or university located outside New York State, or if you are not being charged New York State tuition.) 

  • Submit the Summer Financial Aid Application if you are participating in summer study abroad. Find the application under the “Finances” tab on MyUAlbany. (The application becomes available each year in mid-April.)

  • Submit your letter of acceptance into the study abroad program and a detailed estimate of program costs from the host school to the Office of Financial Aid. 

  • Submit your transfer credit permission form to the Office of Financial Aid, after the form has been signed by your UAlbany academic advisor. 

  • Submit a copy of your bill from the host institution to the Office of Financial Aid if you are a TAP recipient. To be eligible for TAP, you must be paying tuition to a host institution located in New York. 

  • Fill out a cross-registration form if you are studying abroad through a SUNY community college's program.

Planning for payments 

Consider taking these steps before you leave to make payments and refunds easier: