Students matriculated in a degree-seeking program at Buffalo State may receive federal and/or state financial aid while studying away (domestic or international). All aid is processed by Buffalo State, the "home" institution. In the case that a student is participating in a Buffalo State program but matriculated at another institution, the student's home institution will process any federal or state aid the student may be eligible to receive. The home or host institution may request a consortium agreement be completed to ensure federal financial aid is only being certified by the home institution.

  • Financial aid is generally available to help students cover costs while studying away.
  • Courses taken while studying away must be required for a student's degree program to qualify for aid. See Student Outcome Tracking (SOT) for more information regarding course registration and financial aid eligibility.
  • The aid offered while studying away may not fully cover the trip; students should plan accordingly.
  • Students must promptly submit their academic transcript after studying away is completed or future aid payments will be delayed or canceled. 

Links

Before the Financial Aid Office can determine a student's aid eligibility for studying away, the following documents must be submitted:

  1. FAFSA and TAP applications must be completed for the appropriate aid year. 

    -  Students studying abroad for J-term or summer must also complete the J-term or summer aid application found in the Application & Appeals section of the Forms and Resources page.

  2. Obtain the advising agreement from the Office of International Education and obtain the budget sheet for your understanding of the costs associated with studying away.
  3. Schedule a meeting with your academic advisor and department chair to complete the course selections on the advising agreement. Once completed and appropriate signatures are received, it should be forwarded to the Office of International Education for review. 

  4. The Office of International Education will review the advising agreement for completion and signatures. Once approved by their office, they will forward the advising agreement and budget sheet to the Registrar’s Office and the Financial Aid Office for their review and signatures. Once reviewed and signed by both offices, the advising agreement will be sent back to the Office of International Education for student account filing purposes. Lastly, the Financial Aid Office will send the student an email concerning their financial aid eligibility.

    -  The Office of International Education is certifying the student is participating in an eligible Title IV program by submitting an approved advising agreement and budget sheet.

Students must have a valid FAFSA on file before they can be reviewed for aid eligibility. Once an approved advising agreement is received, the student will be reviewed for any remaining aid they have not already exhausted for that academic year. A summary of the student’s estimated expenses and financial aid for their semester abroad will be sent to the student’s Buffalo State email account. Students should review documents thoroughly as they will estimate the amount they will need to pay out-of-pocket for their semester abroad. If students require additional funds to help pay for their semester abroad, they may contact the Financial Aid Office located in Moot Hall 230 for additional loan information.

Additional Aid Types (additional applications required)

Prepare for Your Bill

Before studying away, students should ensure they understand how they will be billed. Billing is specific to the study abroad or exchange programs. Students should consult with the Office of International Education in South Wing 430 to determine their expected bill at each campus. Below are some key points students should know:

  • Where is tuition being charged? To qualify for TAP students must have New York State tuition charges (and meet all other eligibility requirements for TAP).
  • Is there an additional program fee? When is it due and which college is it charged to?
  • Do you need to pay room and board at the host school?
  • Does the host school charge late fees? Are there other negative consequences for a late or unpaid bill? 
  • How much financial aid will be received at Buffalo State? How much will your refund be? When will you receive your refund?

Be a Good Student

Students must take their academics seriously while studying away. Failure to attend classes can result in a cancellation or reduction in financial aid. Students must meet Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) rules and NYS Good Academic Standing rules to maintain eligibility in subsequent semesters.   

Financial Responsibility

Students studying away are responsible for any and all charges accrued at both the home as well as host institution. Students’ failure to make timely payments may result in late fees, transcripts being withheld (jeopardizing future aid at home institution), accounts being put on hold, as well as the account being turned over to a collection agency. 

How Financial Aid Is Disbursed

When aid is certified and received by the home institution (Buffalo State) it will first be used to pay off any balance owed to the home institution (Buffalo State) any remaining aid will then be refunded to the student. It is the responsibility of the student to pay any charges owed to the host institution.

The Financial Aid Office at Buffalo State is not responsible for deferring payment on the student’s behalf at the host institution. The student must work with the International Education Office, in South Wing 430, if they need assistance in payment deferment.  

Students must submit their academic transcript to Buffalo State after studying away. Students that used federal or state aid will have a disbursement hold placed on their accounts until the transcript is received.