A semester or year abroad is an exciting opportunity! The
Financial Aid Office is happy to assist you as you make plans to
study in another country. We recommend that you prepare early so
that everything is in place before you depart.
Institutional financial aid, including academic scholarships,
athletic scholarships, no-need discounts, need-based Carlow Grant,
and most restricted and endowed scholarships, are not available for
study abroad with the exception of those students enrolled in the
PCHE Rome Program, ISEP or the Carlow Ireland program
(fall/spring).
You must enroll at least half-time and your coursework must be
approved for credit by Carlow University in order to use your
federal and state financial aid for study abroad. In addition
to the Federal Direct Student Loan, if available, the parents of
dependent students may utilize the Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loan
Program for study abroad expenses and graduate students may utilize
the Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan. Information about PLUS
is available at www.studentaid.gov.
You are also encouraged to seek private scholarships and grants.
In addition, most lenders offer private (non-federal) alternative
loans that can be used for study abroad. These loans require a
credit-worthy co-signor. Information about the private loans used
most frequently by Carlow students can be found at www.elmselect.com although
you are not limited to these loan options.
In order to complete the financial aid process for study abroad,
you must submit the following to the Financial Aid Office:
- A completed and signed Consortium Agreement (Needed only if
you are utilizing Federal aid.)
- A copy of your Study Abroad acceptance letter with verification
that credits earned abroad are approved for credit toward your
degree from Carlow University.
- Your program cost broken down by tuition, fees, room and board,
books and supplies. Include estimates of round trip airfare and any
other miscellaneous expenses you may incur.
- Verification of any outside scholarships you may receive.
- Specific start and end dates of your enrollment period
abroad.
- The name, address, email, fax and phone number of contact
person at the sponsoring institution.
- Your contact information while abroad.
If you will be applying for financial aid for the following
school year, keep in mind that you are responsible for
meeting the deadlines, even though the deadline may occur while you
are away. Be sure to make the necessary arrangements with your
family concerning the completion of your Free Application forFederal Student Aid (FAFSA) and any other financial aid documents
that may be requested.
At least two weeks prior to your departure date, contact the
Financial Aid Office to make sure everything is in order with
regard to your financial aid. You may contact us at
finaid@carlow.edu or 412.578.6389 with any questions or
concerns.