Billing and Financial Aid Information for Students Studying Abroad

No matter what type of UVM approved program you're heading abroad through, here’s how to get started with financial aid—and what to expect.

✅ Start Here: File Your FAFSA

Begin by submitting your FAFSA just like you would for a regular semester at UVM. Be sure to meet UVM’s priority deadline to maximize your eligibility.

💡 Can I Use My Financial Aid Abroad?

It depends on your program type:

🟢 Exchange Programs (UVM Exchange & ISEP Exchange) or UVM Semester Programs

You’re generally eligible for:

• UVM need-based aid (like grants, need-based scholarships and loans)
• Federal and state aid
• UVM merit scholarships
• Donor-funded UVM scholarships

Vermont residents pay in-state tuition.
Out-of-state students receive a 40% discount on out-of-state tuition for UVM Exchange programs.
UVM merit scholarships are reduced to account for the 40% discount. 
UVM grants may be adjusted based on your program’s cost.

🔵 External Programs (including ISEP-Direct)

You may still qualify for:

• Federal and state aid
• Select donor-funded UVM Scholarships

But you cannot use UVM merit scholarships or other UVM aid for these programs.

Questions?
Since every student’s situation is different, it’s a good idea to meet with Student Financial Services to review your specific aid eligibility based on the program you’ve chosen.

🔁 Aid Adjustments & Loan Options

• If your program costs less than UVM, your aid may be reduced to reflect the lower cost.
• If your program costs more than UVM, you may be eligible for additional loans (like a Parent PLUS loan) to help cover the difference.
• Loans may also be available to replace aid that doesn’t apply abroad (like work-study, UVM need-based aid, or merit scholarships).

💰 Receive Your Financial Aid Offer

SFS will review your budget and send you a financial aid offer based on your program’s eligible expenses. This offer may include grants, loans, or scholarships (depending on your program type).

🧑‍🎓 Stay Enrolled at UVM

To remain eligible for aid, you’ll be registered for OSSP (Off-Campus Study Placeholder). This keeps your UVM student status active while you're abroad.

🌍 Attend a Study Abroad 101 session to get started

Through the Office of International Education (OIE) learn the basics by attending a Study Abroad 101 session to begin your study abroad journey.

🌍 Begin the GoAbroad Process

Connect with the Office of International Education (OIE) to begin your study abroad journey through the GoAbroad portal. This is where you’ll choose your program and complete important steps to stay eligible for aid.

🧾 Complete Your Budget Sheet

As part of the GoAbroad process, you’ll fill out a budget sheet that lists all your expected costs—like tuition, fees, housing and food, round-trip airfare, and books. You’ll need to provide documentation for these expenses.

👉 Need help? Attend an OIE Budget Sheet Help Session to get guidance and make sure everything’s filled out correctly.

Once completed, submit your budget sheet and documentation to Student Financial Services (SFS). We'll use this to create your financial aid offer based on your program’s eligible expenses.

💰 What Expenses Are Eligible?

Only required expenses associated with your study abroad program—plus a standard allowance for cost of living and local transportation—can be covered by financial aid.

Eligible costs typically include:

• Tuition and fees
• Housing and food
• Travel (flights, visas)
• Books and supplies

🛑 Not Covered:

• Optional travel
• Personal or miscellaneous expenses beyond the standard cost-of-living allowance
• Courses taken from another institution unless they’re part of a UVM-approved program through OIE

📌 Remember: Your budget sheet is key to determining what aid you qualify for—so be thorough and accurate!

No matter which approved program you're studying through, here's how billing works—and what to expect.

🌐 UVM Exchange & Semester Programs 

If you're participating in a Exchange Program (UVM Exchange or ISEP Exchange) or a UVM Semester Program, your tuition and fees will be billed to your UVM student account, just like a regular semester.

Depending on your program, food and housing may also be billed by UVM.

🌐 External Programs

If you're studying abroad through an external program, you’ll be billed directly by your host institution. UVM will not bill you for tuition or fees from that program.

However, you’ll still be charged the UVM Study Abroad Fee listed below.

🕒 Pro Tip:

Many host institutions will defer your payment deadline if you let them know you’re waiting on financial aid from UVM. So:

• Complete your GoAbroad process early
• Ask your host institution what documentation they need to defer your payment until your aid is disbursed

💡 Important Notes:

• You’ll also be charged a UVM Study Abroad Fee:
  • $500 per semester
  • $500 for a year-long program (only if it’s the same program and destination)
  • $250 for a summer program

📬 Billing Notifications

UVM will send billing notifications to you and your Proxy once your bill is available online—even if you're studying through an external program.

If you're receiving financial aid, here's how and when your funds will be applied—and what to expect if you're due a refund.

🕒 When Does Financial Aid Disburse?

Your aid will be sent to UVM 10 days before the start of:

• The UVM semester, or
• Your study abroad program,
  whichever is later.

💸 How It Works:

• Financial aid is first applied to any UVM charges on your student account—like the study abroad fee or any additional UVM course tuition.
• If there’s money left over, it will be refunded to you or your parent (depending on your aid setup).
• If you’re studying through an external program, you’re responsible for paying your host institution directly. UVM does not send aid to them.

🔁 Semester-Based Disbursement

Aid is disbursed one semester at a time. So if you're in a year-long program, you'll receive a refund each semester after your aid is processed.

⚠️ Heads-Up:

Make sure you’ve completed all financial aid and loan requirements—missing paperwork can delay or block your funds from being released.