If I’m Studying Abroad Can I Still Get Student Loans?

To be eligible for U.S. financial aid and the federal student loan programs for international studying you must be a U.S. citizen, a U.S. permanent Resident (with appropriate CIS documentation), and eligible non-citizen (with appropriate documentation) and a citizen of certain Pacific Islands (the free associated states). There are now over 200,000 citizens studying abroad each year, and this number continues to increase each year.

You must be enrolled at least part time, in a degree-granting program, at an eligible institution abroad. Or, you must be participating in a study abroad program sponsored or recognized by your eligible home institution in the U.S. All foreign schools do not offer federal financial aid.

The school must be accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and be eligible to participate in federal student aid programs. Federal financial aid is available only to students attending eligible institutions. If you need to find out if your school is eligible for Federal Student Aid, you can contact international@salliemai.com and request their assistance.

For the U.S. citizen or non-citizen permanent resident students enrolled in a degree-granting course of study at eligible institutions outside of the U.S. the following federal loans are available: Stafford loans, (subsidized and unsubsidized), Parent PLUS loans, Graduate PLUS loans, and the Global Health Education Loans Program. U.S. federal aid at international institutions is available only in the form of Stafford and PLUS loans.

The following private loans are available: Signature Student Loans, MBA LOANS, Tuition Answer Loans, LAWLOANS, and Global Health Education Loans Program (GHELP). Schools must be approved by the Department of Education to offer the private loans listed above. You cannot apply on any other private loan for yourself.

To begin you must complete and submit the FAFSA. Next, obtain your Student Aid Report (SAR). We recommend you wait at least 24-48 hours after filing your FAFSA online to call the Federal Student Aid Information Center. When your FAFSA information is complete, your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) will be printed in the upper-right corner. Your EFC is based on the information you provide on the FAFSA; your school uses it to award your financial aid.

The school in accordance with federal regulations sets disbursements dates of the loan. The first disbursement date on a federal loan cannot be any earlier than 30 days before the first day of the loan period. The checks will be made co-payable to the school and to you.