Frequently Asked Questions
The Financial Aid Office of University of the Incarnate Word is
committed to UIW’s institutional globalization goals. Decisions concerning financial
assistance awards to support international study are made by the Office
of Financial Aid, not by the Office of Study Abroad.
Assistance is provided in the Office of Study Abroad as students
document their financial needs and prepare a budget preliminary
to their discussions
with
the Office of Financial Aid, but the student is solely responsible for accurate
estimates and supporting documentation for the financial aid needed and requested
for the international study period.
Students are advised to take this process very seriously and
to take responsibility for the requests made to the Office
of Financial Aid.
Following is a list of the most frequently asked questions and
answers about financial assistance to support international study.
1. How do I apply for study abroad
financial assistance?
Students are required to have a completed financial assistance file in order
to receive funds. Completing the file can take several weeks. A complete file
includes:
a. A current FAFSA form,
b. Student Information Form,
c. Any other documentation requested by the OFA to meet federal eligibility
requirements, and semester attendance deadlines.
d. The completed UIW Consortium Agreement. This form verifies that a student
is taking degree-seeking courses. It requires host school information, course
information, cost of attendance figures, advisor signatures and semester attendance
dates. It is required if students are studying at an international host university
that is not a sister school to UIW and that is approved by the Office of Study
Abroad. It is not required if students are studying out of the country with
a UIW class, traveling to an international site with the class and faculty
member, and have an IP grade in place during the international study period.
2. What does “Study Abroad” mean?
Academic study and travel outside the U.S. is referred to as “Study Abroad.” The
student might be a part of a four-year international program with the intent
to complete a degree at the international university. The student might, instead,
be a part of a short-term study abroad program that is associated with a UIW
class or UIW organization. The range of time involved in study abroad work
varies greatly. The common characteristic is that the student is studying outside
the U.S. “Study Abroad” is not correctly referred to as “overseas
study” since many of the countries where a student can study are not
over any sea from San Antonio!
3. What is an “Exchange Student?”
Students who study abroad for a short period of time (usually up to one year)
at a campus that has a signed consortium agreement (sometimes called Sister
School Agreement) with UIW and who have the intention of returning to UIW
to complete the degree are probably engaged in an “exchange program.”
That student is referred to as an “Exchange Student.” UIW has on
its campus exchange students from its international Sister Schools, and UIW’s
own students become exchange students when they study on the campus of a Sister
School.
4. How many Sister School Agreements does UIW have,
and where are they listed?
UIW has signed Sister School Agreements with dozens of international campuses.
The list may be accessed at http://www.uiw.edu/studyabroad.
5. If I am interested in becoming an Exchange Student,
where do I register for classes?
Students who are planning to attend a sister school should register for classes
through the UIW Office of Study Abroad before they leave the U.S. Because the
student is registered at UIW while studying as an Exchange Student, the student
is awarded all State, Federal and Institutional funds that he or she would
be eligible to receive if otherwise on the UIW campus.
6. Can my financial aid be used for study abroad if
I am not an Exchange Student?
Students who do not attend a sister school are not enrolled at UIW. This means
that the student is not an Exchange Student, but is, instead, participating
in a Study Abroad Program. Students who use financial aid to cover charges
at a Study Abroad Institution are eligible for Pell grant and/or loan assistance.
7. What are eligible costs under both Exchange Student
status and Study Abroad status?
Whether a student is an Exchange Student or not, he or she can still use financial
aid to cover documented direct educational costs that include tuition, housing,
meals, transportation, fees, books and supplies on that international campus.
8. When do I have access to the eligible financial aid
funds?
The Office of Financial Assistance will arrange with the Business Office to
secure payment for the student’s trip. It is important that any deposits,
fees, airfare and personal items required for purchase before the trip are
clearly defined. To the maximum extent possible, fees and expenses may be paid
directly to the international host university or other organizations involved
in the international travel activity, such as a travel agent or tour company,
by UIW.
9. Does the student receive an advance of cash to pay
for the costs associated with international study?
The student should be prepared to cover these costs and receive reimbursement
after the aid is received at UIW.
10. What is my responsibility in this process?
Students should keep documents in a separate folder for the trip. Start planning
early. Plan ahead. Pay attention to details. Complete all required paperwork.
Keep a copy of all documents. Keep records of names, email addresses and
telephone numbers of people whom you have visited with on campus during your
planning. Keep specific UIW offices informed of relevant details and changes
in international travel or study plans. Questions at all times may be addressed
to the Office of Study Abroad.
11. Where do I start with the planning process?
First, make an appointment with Mr. Zachary Wortham at the International Conference
Center at 805-5709 or wortham@universe.uiwtx.edu. Make an appointment in
the Financial Aid Office with your existing financial aid advisor. Decide
your goals for international study. See http://www.uiw.edu/studyabroad and
http://www.uiw.edu/international for extensive study abroad information.
See your advisor. Apply for a passport (forms are at Alamo Heights
Post Office). See http://www.state.gov for information about
the country you will visit. International Study Financial Aid Checklist
- . Work with the Study Abroad office to determine
which program you are interested in. See Mr. Zach Wortham at
the International
Conference Center or phone
805.5709.
- . Research all information concerning the program. Identify
and document costs for tuition, fees, applications, visas, travel
expenses, books and
supplies, housing and personal costs. Complete the budget planning
worksheet available
from the Office of Study Abroad or from the Office of Financial Aid.
- Verify whether you will participate in Student Exchange at
a sister school or will be a Study Abroad student. Student Exchange
participants
are enrolled
at UIW and are eligible for all federal, state and institutional assistance.
Students at a host Study Abroad institution are not enrolled at UIW,
but are eligible for Pell and/or loans.
- Complete your financial assistance paperwork early. Have
a current FAFSA, Student Information Form and any other paperwork
required by federal regulation
to process the request for assistance.
- Complete a Student Consortium Agreement, if required. (Please
see earlier notes on whether the form is required for your particular
situation.) This
form verifies that the coursework taken abroad will be accepted
back into the degree program at UIW.
- Make an appointment to see your UIW assigned financial assistance
advisor. When your file is complete and you have completed your
Student Consortium
Agreement, meet with an advisor to verify the details of the
expenses and request for
aid.
- Verify when funds will be needed. The Office of Financial
Assistance will work with the Business Office in paying the
expenses at the host institution.
Have all of the dollar amounts, payment addresses and deadlines
clearly documented.
- Provide contact information to the Office of Financial Assistance
so contact can be made with you and/or other family members
if needed.
- Notify your lenders. A student who has any previous outstanding
student loans and who is studying internationally at a non-sister
school must notify
the lenders of the trip. Otherwise, since international institutions
will not notify lenders of your enrollment status, it is likely
that your student
loans
might be classified into a repayment status. Your Financial Assistance
Advisor can assist you in clarifying your status to your lenders.
Contact: Office of Financial Assistance, 4301 Broadway Box 308
Phone: 210-829-6008 and Fax: 210-283-5053
Email: finaid@universe.uiwtx.edu
Website: http://www.uiw.edu/finaid Revised June 20, 2003-OFA |
