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Accepted Students
Get your passport! Passport applications may take as long as 12 weeks to be processed (more info).
Steps to confirm your placement and important preparation information are below. Be certain to read all three checklists!
| Confirmation Checklist: Follow this checklist (click to see below) to confirm your place in the program. |
| Pre-Departure Checklist: Follow this checklist (click to see below) to plan for your departure. |
| Financial Aid Checklist: Follow this checklist (click to see below) to register and research financial aid. |
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Financial Aid Checklist
This checklist helps you minimize problems with financial aid for study abroad. Completion of these items in a timely manner reduces the risk of delay or cancellation of your financial aid.
Note for Non-University of Minnesota–Twin Cities Campus Students: This checklist is specifically for University of Minnesota–Twin Cities students, therefore many of the processes described may not apply to you. However, you may use the items on this checklist as a guide for inquiring about your home university's process to access financial aid. University of Minnesota students studying on another University of Minnesota campus' program need to check here for additional information on billing, financial aid, and registration, as these processes will differ slightly from the ones described below.
All Students| FAFSA: Submit a Free Application for Federal Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) as early as possible, prior to your Financial Aid Adviser appointment (see below). Submission after the deadline may result in limited and/or late disbursements of awards. Complete the FAFSA as if you were planning to study on campus at the University of Minnesota. Allow at least two weeks for processing. | |
| Financial Aid Preview Meeting: Schedule a study abroad financial aid preview meeting with a designated study abroad financial aid counselor (612.624.1111) to review your financial aid award based on the cost of studying abroad. Schedule the preview meeting before you have paid any non-refundable deposits or fees to your program and at least three months prior to your departure. You will need to bring an unofficial budget estimate or budget worksheet for your program to the meeting with a financial aid counselor. | |
Study Abroad Cost Estimate: After your financial aid preview meeting, and at least two months prior to departure, obtain the official Study Abroad Cost Estimate (SACE) from the Learning Abroad Center. Go to the Accepted Students page and find your program for instructions on obtaining a SACE, as the instructions vary by program. If you leave the Twin Cities for the summer or for winter break, you must obtain your SACE prior to leaving the University. (If you have not yet been accepted by your study abroad program by three weeks prior to the end of the semester, contact a Learning Abroad Center adviser immediately to make arrangements to complete the SACE early.) Note for Outside Program Participants: Outside Program participants need a Financial Aid Consortium Agreement and Cost Estimate (included in your Outside Program application materials) to be completed and signed by the host institution. These documents should be returned by the host institution or program representative directly to the OSF. Since you pay the program fee directly to your host institution, you need to meet with OSF to discuss how to access your funds. |
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| Submit the SACE to 200 Fraser Hall: By submitting the SACE to the OSF, you are making an official request for OSF to adjust your award amount. No aid eligibility adjustments are made without first providing a completed SACE issued by the Learning Abroad Center. An appointment is not necessary to submit the SACE if you have already completed your financial aid preview meeting. Students who choose not to complete a preview meeting must call 612.624.1111 to schedule an appointment to submit the SACE to one of the designated study abroad financial aid counselors. | |
| Clear Holds: You must clear any holds on your University of Minnesota student record prior to your departure by working directly with the University of Minnesota college or office issuing the hold. Holds prevent your credit from being processed and your financial aid (if applicable) from being released. Learning Abroad Center advisers are not able to clear or override holds for you. | |
| Power of Attorney: Grant your contact person Power of Attorney and submit a copy of the notarized paperwork to the Office of Student Finance. | |
| Web FAAN: When you are notified via email that your Financial Aid Award Notification (Web FAAN) is available on the web, follow the online instructions to accept or decline the different forms of aid you have been offered. | |
| Promissory Notes: Complete and submit to the OSF promissory notes for any loans. Be aware that your Attorney-in-Fact (person who is granted Power of Attorney) cannot sign for all types of loans. | |
| Loan Deferment: If you need to defer past student loans, it is your responsibility to complete deferment forms and notify the direct loan servicer that you have returned to school. It is a good idea to provide your contact person with a copy of your completed deferment forms. If you need assistance with loan deferment, consult with OneStop Student Services (612.624.1111). | |
| Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy: Read and understand the Office of Student Finance Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy. | |
| Taxes and Next Year’s FAFSA: If you will be abroad during spring semester, remember to file your taxes and complete your FAFSA for the following year. Your Attorney-in-Fact may be able to assist you with this paperwork. |
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| » Pre-Departure | |
| » Financial Aid Checklist |
Last modified on November 21, 2008 |