Central Washington University - Study Abroad & Exchange Programs : Program Listings

You'll be glad to hear that most forms of financial aid can be applied toward the study abroad/exchange program expenses listed in the next section. Some of these forms of aid include William D. Ford Direct Loans (subsidized, unsubsidized, and PLUS), Perkins Loans, Pell Grants, Washington State Need Grants, and most scholarships. Federal work-study and tuition waivers cannot be used for study abroad/exchange. To be eligible to use financial aid for study abroad, you must be a CWU student for one quarter prior to participating in a program.

Students who receive a Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Waiver can be reinstated to the program following overseas study as long as they inform the WUE coordinator of their plans prior to studying abroad.

CWU Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements apply to study abroad/exchange programs. Visit the Office of Financial Aid website for detailed information on SAP and other financial aid policies.

Ultimately it is your responsibility to ensure that your financial aid is properly processed. Study Abroad & Exchange Programs provides the documentation and can help explain program costs, but cannot take responsibility for the completion of this process. Be sure to indicate - on your application and to your Study Abroad Advisor - that you plan to use financial aid funds (loans, grants, scholarships) for study abroad/exchange when you apply for your program.

How does it work?

You don't need to notify the Office of Financial Aid of your plans to study abroad at the time you apply for aid. If you indicate on your Study Abroad/Exchange Application that you receive financial aid, you'll automatically receive a Certificate of Participation in your nomination/acceptance packet from Study Abroad & Exchange Programs. The Certificate of Participation itemizes expenses for your program, and includes the following categories:

The Office of Financial Aid will use the figures provided in this budget as the basis for packaging your financial aid for the program. If you are eligible and the funds are available, your financial aid award will be adjusted to meet your program costs. Such increases may come in the form of additional loans.

Some programs do cost less than the cost of attendance at CWU, so be aware that your aid may also be decreased to match the real costs of the program. If you are awarded a scholarship associated with your study abroad or exchange program, this may decrease the other types of aid you are awarded. The Office of Financial Aid cannot award more than the program costs stated on the Certificate of Participation.

How do I know if I'm eligible for extra aid?

You can contact the Office of Financial Aid to determine if you'll be eligible for financial aid beyond what you normally receive at CWU. Though they can't give you an exact amount of aid available for your program or 'repackage' your aid for study abroad at this time, a Financial Aid Advisor can tell if you if there's money available. You can find out about your eligibility from Mary Jane Anderson in one of two ways: 1) e-mail her at andersmj@cwu.edu and 2) call her at (509) 963-3066 to set up an appointment. However you choose to contact Financial Aid, the question to ask is, "Have I used up all of my financial aid eligibility?"

Financial aid for summer programs

Financial aid for summer programs is available, but not all types of aid are available. Students on summer programs primarily receive loans to help with program expenses. If you would normally be eligible for financial aid for summer session at CWU, then you are eligible for aid for a summer study abroad program. To check your eligibility for summer financial aid, please refer to the paragraph above.

To receive aid for a summer program, complete a Summer Financial Aid Application in the Office of Financial Aid. This application is available toward the end of spring quarter. Remember, aid for summer is part of the previous academic year, so if you received aid during the school year, you don't need a new FAFSA for summer. You will receive a Certificate of Participation for summer programs just as you would for academic year programs.

Scholarships

Some scholarships specifically for overseas study are available. Below are links which may be useful to you in your search. Some scholarships require participation in a particular study abroad program and some are completely independent. Your academic advisor or major department may also have suggestions for funding/scholarship opportunities.

Be sure to check with the CWU Scholarship Office also as scholarships for study at CWU can usually be used for study abroad/exchange programs as well. If you have a scholarship, be sure to talk to the CWU Scholarship Office or the administrator of your scholarship to check their policies and procedures with respect to study abroad.

Please remember to research this well in advance. Some scholarship deadlines can be more than a year before you go abroad and require some legwork, but the result is often well worth the effort!

SCHOLARSHIP WEBSITES

University of Minnesota : International Service & Travel Center: Lists 200 funding opportunities related to international study.

IIE: Institute for International Education's west coast branch website with links to specific scholarship information.

FastWeb: Provides a free search engine to locate scholarships for which you are qualified. It also includes some scholarships specific to study abroad.

GENERAL STUDY ABROAD SCHOLARSHIPS (NOT PROGRAM SPECIFIC)

PROGRAM-SPECIFIC SCHOLARSHIPS

American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS):
American Institute for Foreign Studies (AIFS) offers several types of scholarships to participants on their programs, including a $500 bonus scholarship to recipients of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.

AIFS programs approved for participation by CWU students are: Austria, Czech Republic, France, Italy, Russia, South Africa

Application deadlines: Fall/Year: April 1st Spring: October 1st

College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS)
CCIS offers a $1000 scholarship for academic year programs or $500 for summer programs.

CCIS programs approved for participation by CWU students are: Argentina, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, France, Ghana, Greece, Ireland, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Russia, Spain, Switzerland.

Application deadlines: Fall/Year: April 25th Winter/Spring: October 10th Summer: March 25th

International Student Exchange Programs (ISEP) Scholarships
ISEP offers scholarships for programs in Leiden, South America, and Africa.

Click here for:

FIPSE Grant for North American Mobility
CWU participates in a tri-lateral exchange program with partners in Canada and Mexico to promote understanding among students in North America. Participants in this exchange automatically receive a $3,000 scholarship applied toward the cost of their program abroad, and may also be eligible for a $1,000 language grant.

Participating exchange partners are:

	University of Calgary	Through Spring 2007

Mexico:	Universidad de Monterrey	Through Spring 2007
	Universidad de Guadalajara	Through Spring 2007

Study Abroad and Exchange Programs : Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid for Study Abroad/Exchange