Your state and federal financial aid awards can help cover the cost of studying abroad. Here is an overview of how it works.
First steps
If you have not already, apply for financial aid.
- Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by the February 15 priority date
- If you plan to study abroad during the summer, see WSU Student Financial Services information on summer financial aid
Make an appointment with Student Financial Services to discuss your anticipated award amount and how it can be applied to education abroad.
Check the Student Financial Services website for a complete explanation of the financial aid process.
Set up a direct deposit authorization in myWSU so that your funds can be deposited electronically around the world.
Plan ahead
Make sure you know your payment deadlines and how you plan to pay for your program. You may need to pay some expenses—such as application fees, program deposits, airfare, passport, visa, etc.—before your financial aid is disbursed.
Apply to a study abroad program
1. Complete the WSU study abroad application
Indicate that that you are planning to use financial aid for study abroad and complete the financial aid and scholarships questionnaire.
2. Complete provider study abroad applications
If your program’s provider has a financial aid verification form, complete it and submit it to the Global Learning department in the WSU Office of International Programs.
3. Commit to your provider by the deadline
After you have committed to your program, the Global Learning department will create a program expense form and send it to the Office of Student Financial Services. WSU will then adjust your financial aid award and (if required) send verification to your study abroad program.
1. Confirm your award
The Office of Financial Aid will notify you when your financial aid award has been revised.
Accept your revised award by reviewing the terms and conditions and completing the Education Abroad Checklist in your student account in myWSU before you go abroad.
2. Arrange payment
Arrange payment for your program. You will need to transfer money yourself after receiving it from WSU, as the university does not pay costs directly to study abroad programs.
Remember that you will receive your financial aid for study abroad either the first day of the WSU semester or 10 days before your official program start date, whichever comes later.
You may need to pay some program costs before your WSU aid is available, so plan accordingly.