Financial Aid

There are many sources of financial aid for study abroad today.
With a little assistance from your experienced CEA Student Accounts Advisor,
you’ll see study abroad is an affordable experience.

U.S. Federal Government

Eligible students can receive Federal Student Aid for study abroad
if they are enrolled in a program approved by their home institution, regardless of
whether the program is required for the student’s regular degree program of study,
as long as:

• The student is an eligible, regular student enrolled in an eligible program
  at the home school
• The eligible school approves the study abroad program for academic credit.

Federal law also states that Federal Student Aid can cover all "reasonable" costs for a study abroad program, including:

• Round-trip transportation
• Tuition and fees for the program
• Living costs
• Passport & Visa Fees
• Health insurance

Before applying for Federal Student Aid, visit your home institution’s financial aid office to determine whether CEA programs are approved programs, and whether Federal Student Aid is allowed for study abroad.

You should also ask your financial aid office if there is a Contractual Agreement, sometimes referred to as a Consortium Agreement that needs to be completed. If so, have that form sent to CEA at StudentBilling@GoWithCEA.com.or via fax to
(480) 557-7926 as soon as possible so that it can be completed and returned to your university.

Remember to ask your institution about your individual eligibility for
Student Federal Aid.

Financial aid can come from:

• U.S. Federal Government
• Your Home State
• Your Home Institution
• Private Loans

Types of U.S. Federal Student Aid

Federal Grants are often called “gift aid” because they are free money - financial aid that doesn’t have to be repaid (unless, for example, you withdraw from school and owe a refund).

• Federal Pell Grants – A need-based grant offered by the Federal Government
• Student must fill out a FAFSA
• Awarded by the Federal Government based on yearly income
• Students who receive this grant are able to apply for the Benjamin Gillman Scholarship
• FSEOG (Grants) - Same as above
• TEACH Grants - Different from other federal student grants because it requires you to take certain kinds of classes in order to get the grant, and then do a certain kind of job to keep the grant from turning into a loan.
• Please see your Home School Financial aid Office for details
• Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grants - have special eligibility criteria.
• Please see your Home School Financial aid Office for details.

Federal Loans are borrowed money for college or career school that must be repaid with interest.  The U.S. Department of Education has two federal student loan programs:

• The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program.  Under this program, the U.S. Department of Education is your lender. There are four types of Direct Loans available: 
• Direct Subsidized Loans are loans made to eligible undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need to help cover the costs of higher education at a college or career school. 
• Direct Unsubsidized Loans are loans made to eligible undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, but in this case, the student does not have to demonstrate financial need to be eligible for the loan.
• Direct 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.
• Direct subsidized and direct unsubsidized Stafford Loans have lower interest rates than regular, non-student loans
• Repayment does not begin until six months after student graduates or stops attending.
• Direct PLUS Loans are loans made to graduate or professional students and parents of dependent undergraduate students to help pay for education expenses not covered by other financial aid.
• Direct PLUS Loans are provided by the Department of Education as a way for parents or legal guardians to supplement the government funding that their children receive.
• Direct Consolidation Loans allow you to combine all of your eligible federal student loans into a single loan with a single loan servicer.

• The Federal Perkins Loan Program is a school-based loan program for undergraduates and graduate students with exceptional financial need. Under this program, the school is lender.
• Perkins Loans are need-based loans used to supplement what a Stafford loan cannot cover. Perkins loans provide a low-interest, longer grace period alternative to the Stafford loans, and are forgiveable if a student enters into certain professions.

The following criteria apply to the  direct loans available above:

• Student must fill out FAFSA
• Loan is awarded based on need
• Loan is disbursed by the home institution to the student
• Loan will be paid back to the home institution

Federal Student Aid Basic Eligibility Requirements:

• Demonstrate financial need (for most programs)
• Be a U.S. citizen or an eligible noncitizen
• Have a valid Social Security number (with the exception of students from the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, or the Republic of Palau)
• Register (if you haven’t already) with Selective Service, if you’re a male between the ages of 18 and 25
• Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a regular student in an eligible degree or certificate program
• Be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible for Direct Loan Program funds
• Maintain satisfactory academic progress in college or career school
• Sign statements on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSASM)
  stating that:
• You are not in default on a federal student loan and do not owe money on a federal student grant
• You will use Federal Student Aid only for educational purposes
• Show you’re qualified to obtain a college or career school education by having a high school diploma or a recognized equivalent such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate, or by completing a high school education in a home school setting approved under state law

State Financial Aid

Even if you're not eligible for Federal Student Aid, you may be eligible for financial aid from your state.
Contact your state grant agency for more information.

Aid from your Home Institution

Many colleges and universities offer financial aid from their own funds. Find out what might be available to you:

• Visit your school’s financial aid page online, or talk to someone in person at the financial aid office.
• Ask your department heads about any scholarships they offer to students pursuing a degree in your major.
• Fill out any applications your school requires for its own financial aid, and meet the deadline when submitting the required materials.

Private Loans

If you are looking for additional funding or other resources of financial aid, you may want to look at a Private Loan.    

Several private loan resources exist that could help you bridge the gap between the cost of your CEA program and the amount of funding obtained from other sources.

Check out the private loans offered from various national lenders.

• Student Lending Analytics developed a list of private loan options to serve schools and their students who need a focused resource for help in finding a private student loan.
• Study Abroad Loans  can assist you in finding the best financing options available for international study. Compare and apply for private loans that apply to you and your university using this online resource.
  • Eligibility requirements:
• Must be a U.S. citizen and permanent resident planning on studying abroad through university approved program
• Cosigner Recommended for all applicants - cosigner must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, have good credit and income history, and have lived in the United States for the past two years
• Benefits Study Abroad Loans:
  • Borrow funds up to the amount of your remaining program cost, after other Aid
  • Thousands of schools approved for use of this search tool
  • Apply for your chosen loans in a quick and easy process
• Explore other Helpful Resources.