FINANCIAL AID

 
 
 

+ Are ASA’s programs affordable?

Yes! If you compare programs and what's included, you'll find that ours are some of the most affordable. Be sure to compare what's included and not just the price itself. A list of what is and is not included can be found by using the Program Locations menu at the top right of our website, click on your city, and then click What’s Included.

+ can i USE my FINANCIAL AID TO PAY FOR MY STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM? how does it work?

The majority of ASA students use financial aid to study abroad! The federal financial aid you receive at your home institution - such as Pell Grant, Stafford Loan, student loans, and Parent Plus Loans - can usually be applied to the ASA program!

Here's how it works: You can DEFER any portion of your ASA program fees that is covered by your financial aid and pay it later, once your financial aid is disbursed.* You just need to send us verification of how much financial aid you're getting by our payment deadline. Any program fees NOT covered by financial aid are due by our Payment Deadline. You can find our payment deadline by using the Program Locations menu at the top right of our website, click your city, and then click Cost & Dates.

*NOTE: Summer and January Term students must have a disbursement date that is at least 2 weeks BEFORE their program end date. Students whose disbursement date is later than 2 weeks before the program end date must pay all fees to ASA prior to program start date, and once the financial aid is disbursed it can be used to reimburse the student.

ASA accepts all grants, scholarships, or loans that you receive. However, it's up to the aid provider to decide if you can apply it to study abroad. Federal can usually be applied - such as Pell Grant, Stafford Loan, student loans, and Parent Plus loans. Grants and scholarships may or may not apply, so you have to ask the aid provider.

Your home institution won't be able to verify how much financial aid you're getting until they approve you to study abroad, so you should complete your home institution’s study abroad application and ASA’s application as soon as possible - ideally before the application deadline.

If your school asks you for the “Budget” or “Estimated Costs of Attendance” for your program, you can find that information here.

Your Confirmation Deposit is due within 1 week of being accepted. This portion of the program fees can't be deferred. Our Financial & Billing page tells you how much the Confirmation Deposit will be.

Next are a few simple steps to make sure we receive verification of your financial aid by our payment deadline:

+ FINANCIAL AID: STEP 1

Ask your Study Abroad Advisor at your home institution how much of your financial aid will apply so you can plan. If they ask you for the “Budget” or “Estimated Costs of Attendance” for your program, you can find that information here.

+ financial aid: STEP 2

2-3 weeks before ASA's payment deadline, ask your institution’s Financial Aid Office to complete our Financial Aid Verification Form (FAV). It can take them several weeks to complete this form, so please plan ahead!

+ financial aid: STEP 3

Your completed FAV form will say how much financial aid you can apply to your ASA program. Subtract this amount from your balance due, and if some of your program fees aren't covered by your financial aid, pay that portion by ASA’s payment deadline. Example: If your balance due is $10,000 and your FAV says you'll receive $8,000 in financial aid, your out-of-pocket payment of $2,000 is due by our payment deadline. $8,000 is the portion you can defer. You can find our payment deadline by using the Program Locations menu at the top right of our website, click your city, and then click Cost & Dates.

When you receive your financial aid disbursement (usually shortly before or after your program starts) you have 10 days to pay your remaining balance in full. Example: The $8,000 you deferred must be paid within 10 days of receiving your financial aid disbursement.

+ What if my institution can’t complete my financial aid verification by ASA’s payment deadline?

Let us know about the delay by calling 617-327-9388. If you’ve already paid your non-refundable Confirmation Deposit, we can usually give you some more time to submit your FAV form. However, additional payment may be needed to hold your space. The important thing is to communicate with us so we can try to work with you! We'll be as flexible as possible within your program requirements.

Once again, it usually takes several weeks for your Financial Aid Office to complete our Financial Aid Verification Form, so be sure to meet with your Financial Aid Office at least 2 weeks before our payment deadline!

+ If studying abroad costs more than my financial aid package, can I get additional financial aid to cover the difference?

Yes, most students can apply for additional loans through their home institution's financial aid office. Just be sure to start this process several weeks before ASA's payment deadline. Be sure to give your financial aid office the Estimated Costs of Attendance for your program so they can recalculate your eligibility. You should also see if there are any scholarships you can apply for through your school or ASA's website (see below on this page for scholarship opportunities).

+ Are there any student loans besides what i can get through my home institution?

You can try the following website: www.internationalstudentloan.com. IMPORTANT! If you apply for any student loans that aren't processed by your home institution’s Financial Aid Office, you MUST make sure the loan does NOT require a Title IV school code in order to process. Not many institutions outside the U.S. have a Title IV school code. For this reason, the customary way to get financial aid for study abroad is through your home institution’s Financial Aid Office.

+ additional financial tips

  • If part of your financial aid will cover your personal expenses while abroad, ask your Financial Aid Office what the disbursement date will be. Sometimes, financial aid isn’t disbursed until a month or two after your program starts, so you may have to make your own arrangements for spending money until your financial aid is disbursed. Sometimes financial aid is disbursed in installments on different dates. It's your responsibility to plan your finances accordingly and ensure you have enough spending money until your disbursement(s) are completed. Please note that your balance due to ASA must be paid in full before you use your financial aid for personal expenses.
  • Your financial aid may be disbursed to you or your parent/guardian and not to ASA! Ask your Financial Aid Office who your disbursement will be sent to, and know that you may be abroad when it happens. It may be direct deposited into your or your parent/guardian's account, or may be a snail-mailed check. It's your responsibility to gather this information from your Financial Aid Office ahead of time and advise your parent/guardian if they should expect a disbursement and what to do with it when they receive it.
  • You or your parent/guardian can pay ASA from anywhere in the world online via e-check. Failure to pay on time may result in a $200 late fee and a 2% monthly surcharge until ASA is paid in full. ASA reserves the right to take action if payment is not received on time, such as: dismissal from the program, removal from housing and program activities, notification to your home institution, and denial of final transcript.
  • You're ultimately responsible for paying your balance in full to ASA, even in the event that your financial aid is less than you expected. Confirming the amount of funds, date of disbursement, and recipient with your Financial Aid Office before departure will help you prevent unforeseen issues.
  • If you have any questions about financial aid or payment, please don’t hesitate to contact ASA at 617-327-9388 or hello@academicstudies.com! Our experienced advisers are happy to help!
 

SCHOLARSHIPS

 

+ asa general scholarships

Click here to find out if you are eligible for an ASA General Scholarship and how to apply.

You must be accepted to one of ASA’s study abroad programs in order to be eligible to apply for the ASA General Scholarship. The ASA General Scholarship may be used only toward ASA programs.

+ asa diversity scholarships

Click here to find out if you are eligible for an ASA Diversity Scholarship and how to apply.

You must be accepted to one of ASA’s study abroad programs in order to be eligible to apply for the ASA Diversity Scholarship. The ASA Diversity Scholarship may be used only toward ASA programs.

+ other scholarships

Below is a list of outside scholarship resources that you may pursue to help finance your study abroad experience. In addition to the resources belo, you should also ask your school’s study abroad office and financial aid office if they have any scholarship opportunities. This list is not all-inclusive. Students may apply to any of the Other scholarships in addition to either of the two ASA scholarships.

+ academic merit scholarships

+ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion scholarships

Directories of scholarships and internship opportunities: