study abroad: best practices in advising heidi johnson financial aid senior advisor uw-madison

Study Abroad: Best Practices in Advising

Heidi JohnsonFinancial Aid Senior Advisor

UW-Madison

Overview

• Value of study abroad• Advising students on selection and

budgeting• Strategies for selecting a study abroad program• Sample budgets• Tips on saving money abroad

• Financial Aid applicability• Study abroad scholarships

• Benjamin A. Gilman

Heidi Johnson UW-Madison

By studying abroad students develop:

• an understanding of themselves understanding of themselves culturally and the ability to use this knowledge to live and work effectively in diverse settings and with diverse individuals

• the knowledge and skills associated with international, global, and interculturalintercultural content areas such as language, geography, history;

• a desire and ability to seek out and use diverse diverse sources of information sources of information to inform their decision making; and

• a desire and ability to engage in communities of communities of practice practice as citizens and scholars.



Advising students on selection and budgeting


Selecting a Program

• Consider different types of programs.• Semester v. Full Year v. Short-Term• Affiliated/Third-Party v. Exchange• Internship

• Look outside of Western Europe for less expensive options.

• Consider what is included in the program costs.• Excursions?• Local transportation?• Insurance?• Visa processing?

• Comparison shop.


Budgets

•Know your current direct costs.• Tuition and Fees/Room and Board

•Understand the costs of your study abroad program.

•Develop a sense of what your current personal expenses are.

•Develop a sense of what cost of attendance is your “bottom line.”


Budgets

UW –Madison Sample Undergraduate Budgets

Wisconsin students/semesterUndergraduate

Out-of-state students/semesterUndergraduate

Tuition $5,201 (12 Cr.) $13,326 (12 Cr.)

Room and Board $4,590 $4,590

Books and Supplies $600 $600

Miscellaneous & Travel

$1,719 $1,719

Total Budget $12,110 $20,235


UW-Madison Sample Exchange Budget

Sydney Australia, University of Sydney ExchangeIn State Resident

Program Fee $6650.00(fixed cost)

Estimated Additional Expenses:Airfare $2200.00Health Insurance $200.00Books and Supplies $500.00Housing $5000.00Local Transportation $500.00Meals $1650.00Personal/Miscellaneous $1900.00Visa $580.00

Total Cost of Attendance $19,180.00

Program Fee includes academic expenses, administrative costs, mandatory health insurance, orientation and internship placement.Heidi Johnson UW-Madison

UW-Madison Sample Direct Enrollment Budget

Sydney, Australia, Macquarie UniversityIn State Resident

Program Fee $11,700.00 (fixed cost)

Estimated Additional Expenses:Airfare $2200.00Health Insurance $300.00Books and Supplies $400.00Housing $4000.00Local Transportation $800.00Meals $1450.00Personal/Miscellaneous $1500.00Visa $580.00

Total Cost of Attendance $22,930.00

Program Fee includes academic expenses, administrative costs, mandatory health insurance, orientation.


Budgeting Tips

Before you go…

•Create a personal budget•Do your research

•Travel guides, websites•Look for group or student fares

•STA, Student Universe•Apply for discount cards, memberships

•ISIC, IYH, YHA•Check your bank

•Make sure you understand what fees you’ll be charged for using your ATM or credit card abroad; research fees with other banks.


Budgeting Tips

While you are there…

•Travel•Plan trips ahead of time.•Explore your host city.

•Eating•Eat in by cooking instead of eating meals out.•Share meals.•Eat like a local: shop local markets, get staff suggestions for cafés.•Identify inexpensive places where domestic students eat.

•Avoid tourist traps


Budgeting Tips

• Communication•Use Skype and pre-paid calling cards.•Send old-fashioned letters and postcards.

• Transportation•Use buses and metro rather than cabs; walk!•For trips, remember to compare train and air prices.•Think about overnight travel—save the cost of a room.

• Shopping•Wait to buy! Especially for souvenirs, compare prices.•If bartering is part of the local custom, then barter.•Local Markets often less expensive than stores•Take a local friend with you to get a better deal. Heidi Johnson UW-Madison

Budgeting Tips

• Money•Follow your budget! Keep track of what you spend.•Pay cash: it’s easy to overspend with credit cards.•Don’t carry lots of cash with you—less temptation to spend.•Use your discount cards (ISIC, IYH, university ID).



Commonly Asked Questions•Can I use my financial aid to pay for my study abroad program?

• Yes, generally students can apply their financial aid (including loans) to assist in covering the cost of studying abroad.

•Can I use work study while studying abroad?

• No.

•What about my scholarships?

• You will need to check with the donor of the scholarship to determine if it may be used for study abroad.

•How can I apply for scholarships for study abroad?

• Check with the college/department sponsoring your study abroad program as well as your home college/department. Your Study Abroad Office may also administer scholarships for study abroad.

•I have been awarded my maximum amounts in FAFSA aid. What are my other options beyond scholarships?

• Once you have exhausted your FAFSA eligibility for the year in addition to applying for scholarships, you may also be eligible to apply for a Parent PLUS or private student loan up to your cost of attendance (i.e. study abroad financial aid budget).



Commonly Asked Questions•How will my charges be paid?

•If you are being billed through your home school’s Bursar’s Office, your financial aid will first be applied to your study abroad program fees. If a credit balance is created a refund check will be distributed to you. If your financial aid does not cover your charges in full you will be responsible for paying the difference by the due date. If you are not being billed by your home school’s Bursar’s Office your financial aid will be sent to you as a refund and you will be responsible for using the refund to pay your bill by the due date.

•Where will my refund check be mailed?

•Your refund check will be mailed to your current mailing address as listed with your home school. We encourage you to update your address to someone who can deposit the check for you as you will be traveling when the checks are mailed after disbursement takes place.

•Can I pick up my refund check in person?

•No, refund checks must be mailed or direct deposited into your checking or savings account.



Using Financial Aid to Fund Study Abroad

What funds are applicable?


Financial Aid and Study Abroad

•Financial aid resources may be used for education abroad.

•Higher Education Act: Allows students to use federal aid for education abroad if credit is approved by home institution•Consortium agreement with another institution•Federal aid follows the student, not institution



•File a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA.gov)•Financial aid for education abroad usually comes in the form of federal grants and federal or private loans.

•Scholarship money is critical.




Types of Aid Available•Federal Grants

• Federal Pell Grant• Federal Supplemental

Educational Opportunities Grant (SEOG)

•Federal Loans• Federal Direct Loans• Federal Perkins Loans• Federal Parent PLUS Loans

for Undergraduate Students



Types of Aid Available•Private Loans

• Nonfederal educational loan issued by a private lender

•State Aid• Wisconsin Higher Education Grant,

Wisconsin Tuition Grant, State of Wisconsin Travel Grant

•Institutional Aid• Some institutions may allow you to apply

aid you would normally receive while on-campus

•Study Abroad Scholarships• National, local and institutional


• Develop special budgets for financial aid• Example: Program fee, tuition and

additional costs• Advise that costs are per program,

not student• Funds may be disbursed no earlier

than 10 days prior to first of classes• Refunding of excess financial aid• Options for advance costs such as

airfare


Working with the Study Abroad Office

The Study Abroad Process

1. Students are registered for the study abroad placeholder credits and are assigned the Off Campus Program checklist.

2. I am sent the lists of participants with their program information and costs of attendance. UW-Madison offers study abroad programs through the following offices/departments:

International Academic Programs (IAP)

School of Business

College of Engineering

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

School of Law

College of Human Ecology

Political Science Department

3. I update the students’ costs of attendance to reflect the information provided and Award Reconciliation revises students’ financial aid awards as applicable.

4. I complete the Off Campus Program checklist.Heidi Johnson UW-Madison


How can we best work together?

•Funding is a crucial piece of the study abroad decision process•Is there a financial aid advisor dedicated to study abroad students?•Communication and coordination are key to working with the Study Abroad Office



Scholarships for Study Abroad



• Study Abroad Office scholarships • Departmental scholarships

designated for study abroad• University Wide and Departmental

scholarships which may be used for study abroad

• National Scholarships



Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship

•The program aims to diversify the kinds of students who study abroad and the countries and regions where they go by supporting undergraduates who might otherwise not participate due to financial constraints.

•Funded through the US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs



Benjamin A. Gilman ScholarshipEligibility Criteria

•U.S. Citizen•Undergraduate student•Federal Pell Grant recipient•Receiving academic credit•Anywhere in the world not currently under a U.S. Department of State Travel Warning or Cuba•Minimum four weeks duration in one location



Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship

Tips for Writing a Competitive Essay:

•Why you, why this program and why this location?•Be specific about diversity in your essay

• The reader will not know your background unless you write about it

• Talk about the challenges you have overcome•Make sure you proofread your essay•Talk to your study abroad advisor and your campus’s writing center•Follow-on project should:

• Give back and inspire others to go abroad• Be realistic and attainable• Partner with established organizationsHeidi Johnson UW-Madison


Questions



Thank you for attending!

Heidi [email protected]


study abroad: best practices in advising heidi johnson financial aid senior advisor uw-madison

Documents

program costs

mandatory health insurance

academic expenses

administrative costs

current direct costs

local transportation

current personal expenses

total cost of attendance