Study Abroad Program Timing
MY STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM WILL START IN MARCH AND CONTINUE THROUGH AUGUST. WHEN WILL MY FINANCIAL AID BE PROCESSED?
Your financial aid will be applied to the semester in which the program starts. For this example, your spring financial aid would be applied to the cost of the program. Review the One Stop for Student Services website for payment due dates and disbursement dates. There are instances where you will be abroad before your financial aid has disbursed to your account. In that case, it might be best to take additional aid the semester before you go, to ensure 3-4 weeks of expenses while abroad.
WHAT IF I WANT TO PARTICIPATE IN A SHORT-TERM STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM?
If you are participating in a Kent State faculty-led short term program you can check with the faculty member regarding the costs and deadlines of the class. Since there are so many short-term programs it is typical for the Student Financial Aid Office to not receive any cost information about the class abroad. In order for us to update your student account to show that you have additional costs that you may incur as a result of studying abroad you can submit the Study Abroad/Away Cost of Attendance Increase Form. In most cases, it will allow for additional Parent PLUS loan funds or a private loan.
I NEED TO DEPART BEFORE THE SEMESTER BEGINS, WOULD I BE ABLE TO OBTAIN MY REFUND EARLY?
No, your financial aid can be applied to your Student account no earlier than 10 days prior to the first day of class at Kent State. It may take several days after the funds transfer for you to receive any excess funds in the form of a refund. It is highly recommended that you select a refund preference before leaving the country. It is also suggested that you have 2-3 weeks of funds available so that you are able to cover the first few weeks of living expenses before you receive a refund. For further questions regarding refunds, please contact the One Stop for Student Services.
I DON'T DEPART UNTIL SIX WEEKS AFTER KENT'S SEMESTER BEGINS. DOES THIS AFFECT MY FINANCIAL AID?
Yes, regulations require that your financial aid does not disburse until ten days prior to your first day of class at the visiting institution. Since your study abroad program starts six weeks after Kent State’s semester, your aid will not disburse until the fifth week. Note that the Bursar’s Office is aware of the regulation and will be notified of the program’s start date so no late fees ensue. Each program is different; if your program has a later start date than Kent State please contact an Education Abroad counselor at finaideducationabroad@kent.edu to discuss your options.