Government Aid

To obtain government aid, students must complete the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA). Funds are awarded by the US Department of Education. As long as your home institution pre-approves the credit you may earn abroad, you can use federal aid toward your study abroad program.

Eligibility Criteria for Government Aid

• Be enrolled in an eligible (Title IV) Institution as a regular student seeking a degree or certificate – This is your Home Institution, not CEA or the Overseas Institution.
• Be a citizen of the United States with a valid Social Security Card
• Have a high school diploma or a General Education Development (GED) certificate
• If you are a male, you must be registered for SELECTIVE SERVICE
• Have a result of Eligible or Partially Eligible on Question 35(Drug related conviction) of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

How to Apply for Government Aid
Forms of Government Aid

How to Apply for Government Financial Aid?

1. Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) – Use your Home Institution’s Title IV Code, as CEA is not a Title IV Institution.
2. Speak to your Home Institution’s Study Abroad Office and Financial Aid Office to be certain that your Aid will transfer to CEA.
3. Obtain a Consortium Agreement from the Study Abroad Office or Financial Aid Office at your Home Institution, fill out the student portion and fax/mail the form to CEA for completion.
4. CEA will send your financial aid office a “sample budget” for your study abroad program so you can review your CEA budget with your financial aid office to help determine the disbursement amount.
5. After your final financial aid award has been determined by your school, they will send you a summary, or an “Award Letter. You will need to accept or deny the funding and fill out all appropriate loan applications. This documentation will need to be turned in to your Home Institution’s Financial Aid Office. You will need to follow their instructions and make sure that they have all of the documentation they need to process your aid smoothly and in a timely manner.
6. Have the Financial Aid Office at your Home Institution complete the Financial Aid Disbursement Form indicating the amount of Financial Aid you will be receiving, when they will be disbursing the funds, and who they will be disbursing them to. Once CEA receives this form from your FA Office we will defer the final payment due date for your FA funds to the disbursement date that your Home Institution has provided.

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Forms of Government Aid

The aid can come in the form of grants or loans.

Stafford Loan (FFEL loan)

A Stafford loan is also known as a Federal Family Education Loan or a Direct Loan and is the Department of Education’s major source of self-help aid.

• Students must fill out FAFSA
• The loan is awarded by the Federal Government and based on need.
• There are two forms of Stafford Loans. Subsidized Stafford Loans do not accrue interest while you are enrolled full time at an eligible, Title IV institution; the interest is subsidized by the Federal Government. Unsubsidized Stafford Loans are not subsidized by the Federal Government and interest does accrue while you are in school.
• Stafford loans have lower interest rates than regular, non-student loans.
• Repayment does not begin until 6 months after the student graduates or stops attending.

Parent Loan (PLUS loan)

A Parent loan is most commonly referred to as a PLUS loan and is provided by the Department of Education as a way for parents or legal guardians to supplement the government funding that their children receive.

• Student must fill out FAFSA.
• This loan is awarded by the Federal Government and based on need.
• The loan approval and amount is based on the parent’s credit report.
• Repayment begins immediately on PLUS loans, there is not grace period.

Perkins Loan

A Federal Perkins loan is a loan for both undergraduate and graduate students. This is a need based loan used to supplement what a Stafford loan cannot cover. The program is in conjunction with your Home Institution and the Federal Government.

• Student must fill out FAFSA.
• This loan is awarded based on need.
• The Perkins loan is a low-interest loan, with a longer grace period then Stafford loans, these loans are forgivable if a student goes into certain professions.
• This loan is disbursed by the Home Institution to the student.
• The loan will be paid back to the Home Institution.

PELL Grant

A Federal Pell Grant is a need based grant offered by the Federal Government.

• Student must fill out a FAFSA.
• They are awarded by the Federal Government and based on yearly income.
• The grant does not need to be repaid.
• Students who get this grant are able to apply for the Benjamin Gillman Scholarship.