Financing your student's education is probably your central concern. This concern can be the main factor that students use when deciding whether or not to apply for and participate in a study abroad program. You and your student should not let the financial need deter him or her from this life-changing experience, as most forms of federal and state financial aid (including subsidized and non-subsidized student loans, Pell Grants, and Maryland State Grants) can be used to finance most summer, semester and academic year study abroad programs.

How Does Financial Aid Apply?

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) determines the amount and type of need-based federal and state financial aid a student is eligible to receive, whether he or she is studying on campus or overseas. Once a student has been accepted to a study abroad program, an official study abroad budget can be obtained from the UMBC Study Abroad Office. This budget outlines all of the costs involved in studying abroad: the program fee or tuition at your host university, airfare, room and board, books, and a passport and student visa. Bridget Watson, the Assistant Director of the UMBC Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships will recalculate the student's financial need based on these figures. Even students who were not eligible for financial aid may find that they can receive aid to help cover the costs of a study abroad program.

Maryland State Aid

Maryland State Aid (Delegate Scholarships, HOPE Scholarships and other forms of scholarships and grants given by the State of Maryland) can only be used on programs that are administered by universities within the University System of Maryland. 

Tuition Waivers

Tuition waivers can only be used for UMBC or other University System of Maryland tuition exchange programs.   They cannot be used for UMBC Direct or UMBC Affiliate program.