Preview Meetings offers you the chance to see how much aid you have available for your study abroad program before you apply and/or pay any non-refundable fees or deposits. It is especially important if your decision to participate on a study abroad program heavily depends on the amount of your financial aid award. At the meeting, the financial aid adviser also answear any additional questions you have about accessing financial aid for study abroad. This meeting can help you plan, if necessary, how much you will likely need to work and save prior to leaving to make up the difference in cost.

Please note: It is recommended you have this meeting before you pay any non-refundable deposits or fees. You may even schedule a Preview Meeting if you have not yet applied to or have been accepted by your study abroad program. 

If you have already paid your deposit and confirmed your participation in a program, you may obtain a Study Abroad Cost Estimate without first scheduling a Preview Meeting.

Financial Aid Preview Process

1. Be sure you have a current FAFSA on file, and allow two weeks for processing.
   
   
2. Obtain an unofficial budget estimate for your program from the Learning Abroad Center or your program provider.  Consult the comparing costs page for help finding a budget estimate for your program, or see a Learning Abroad Center program selection adviser if you are having difficulties locating a budget.  Be sure to consider all costs, including those not listed in the published program fees, such as airfare, additional meals, textbooks, travel to obtain student visas, and insurance. Use the budget worksheet (pdf) to help make these comparisons easier.
   
   
3. Call 612.624.1111 to set up a meeting with a financial aid adviser in 200 Fraser Hall. Be sure to state that you want a Financial Aid Preview Meeting for study abroad.
   
   
4. Bring the budget estimate to the meeting.  If you are considering multiple programs or additional terms, bring estimates or budget worksheets (pdf)for each program or scenario.

Last modified on November 21, 2008