Financial Matters
Costs
There are study abroad programs for every budget with programs that are less expensive, somewhat equivalent, or more expensive than the cost of attendance at Virginia Tech for that term.
Costs to consider when choosing a program: tuition and fees, room and board, books/supplies, program fees, insurance, passport, visa, airfare, travel (both internationally and in-country), personal expenses, cell phone, immunizations, etc.
All students studying abroad will pay a participation fee, and in addition, you might also need to pay an application fee depending on the type of program.
$50 Study Abroad Application Fee:
- For Virginia Tech Faculty-Led Programs, Virginia Tech Exchanges, and other program types where the application is through the Global Education Office.
- You must pay this nonrefundable fee at the time of application in the Global Education portal.
- The application fee is irreversible, except when participation is prevented by unavoidable circumstances (limited to events such as illness/injury, family emergency, and program cancellation) or in the event of program cancellation. Acceptable documentation of the circumstances is required and subject to review.
$50 Faculty-Led Participation Fee
For Virginia Tech faculty-led programs.
This fee is charged upon commitment to participate.Study Abroad Placement Fees adhere to the Bursar's Office Refund Policies. If you resign your study abroad course enrollment prior to the semester’s start date, the placement fee will be refunded.
$150 Study Abroad Placement Fee
For Virginia Tech Exchanges, ISEP, Non-Virginia Tech Study Abroad Providers, Virginia Tech Partner Programs, Direct Enroll, and any other programs that are non-faculty-led.
Once the host institution accepts your application, you are responsible for paying the placement fee. If you withdraw/cancel after that, that fee will still stand.
General eligibility requirements
FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) must be on file (even if you do not normally qualify, fill out it out anyway because depending on the study abroad program cost, you may qualify for aid)
Host Institution must be an accredited degree-granting institution recognized by the host country's Ministry of Higher Education (the Global Education Office can check this for you)
Program Type students must be enrolled in a credit bearing program that applies to your degree
Virginia Tech Credit Minimum
- Fall and Spring: 12 credit
- Short Fall/Spring, Winter the semester prior to going, plus the study abroad must equal a minimum of 12 credits.
- Summer 6 credits
Forms
GEO/VT Scholarship and Financial Aid Verification form: you must submit this request form to have your financial aid (including VT Scholarships) applied to study abroad. The form is in your study abroad account.
Consortium/Contractual Agreement: The Global Education Office will send you the agreement after you’ve turned in the GEO: VT Scholarship and Financial Aid Verification form (faculty-led programs excluded).
Verification of Enrollment form: To be submitted AFTER you’ve arrived abroad and registered for classes there. The form is in your study abroad account (faculty-led programs excluded).
*Depending on your type of financial aid, you may be subject to Satisfactory Academic Progress
**Please keep in mind that virtual opportunities are not eligible for federal financial aid or private loans through Virginia Tech.
What happens next?
Once you’ve turned in the ‘GEO: VT Scholarship and Financial Aid Verification form’ in your study abroad account, you can contact the Office of University Scholarships and Financial Aid to ask more specific questions about your aid eligibility (e.g., 529s).
The Financial Aid Office uses the costs of your study abroad program to adjust your Cost of Attendance (COA). Generally, your COA will increase if your study abroad costs exceed your on-campus costs, allowing you to apply for more loan aid.
When will I receive my federal financial aid?
For Faculty-led programs: Your aid will disburse according to the same pay out schedule as if you were still on-campus (usually the Thursday before VT classes start).
For VT Exchange, ISEP, Non-VT Study Abroad Providers and Direct Enroll: After having turned in all the forms (GEO: VT Scholarship and Financial Aid Verification, Consortium/Contractual Agreement, Verification of Enrollment), your financial aid will disburse after your program has started (usually within 3-6 weeks).
How much aid will I receive?
The Financial Aid Office uses the costs of your study abroad program to adjust your Cost of Attendance (COA). Generally, your COA will increase if your study abroad costs exceed your on-campus costs, allowing you to apply for more loan aid.
Once you’ve turned in the GEO: VT Scholarship and Financial Aid Verification form in your My Study Abroad account, you can contact the Office of University Scholarships and Financial Aid to see what the amount of anticipated aid is. This is especially important if your decision to participate on a study abroad program heavily depends on the amount of your financial aid award
Initial out-of-pocket costs
You might have to pay upfront costs prior to the disbursement of your aid (i.e. program fees to cover in advance costs that faculty must make). If you need alternative ways to help pay your upfront costs, talk to the Office of University Scholarships and Financial Aid about Bridge Loans, Parent Plus Loans, Private Educational Loans etc.
GEO Scholarship
The Global Education Scholarship is awarded primarily based on FAFSA-demonstrated financial need. However, consideration is also given to financial need that may not be addressed by the FAFSA. Therefore, it is not necessary to have a FAFSA on file.
International students currently enrolled at Virginia Tech who want to study abroad can apply
Graduate students are eligible to apply
You can apply even if you're not yet sure about your study abroad plans
Award amounts range from $2,500 to $5,000
Eligibility Requirements
GPA 2.5 or above
Enrollment in a study abroad program where tuition is paid to Virginia Tech. *The following partner programs are also eligible:
- VT Partner Program: Refugee, Migrant, and Displacement Studies in Paris
- VT Partner Program: Sophomore Experience in Bilbao and Seville, Spain (API)Full-time enrollment in a credit bearing program (12 credits for a semester, 3 credits for short programs and summer). Your credits must be a necessary part of your degree.
The application is available through Scholarship Central
Applications for each cycle open 6 weeks before the deadlines
Annual Application Deadlines
for fall programs |
February 6 |
for short fall (Fall Embedded, typically in December) |
February 6 and September 6 (choose either date) |
for winter and spring programs |
September 6 |
for short spring (Spring embedded, typically in March or May) |
September 6 and December 6 (choose either date) |
for summer programs |
December 6 |
All applicants are notified within 4 weeks after the deadline. |
Awards won’t be disbursed until close to the start of the academic term in which your study abroad program takes place (so keep in mind that you will have to be able to pay fees/deposits/airplane tickets out-of-pocket).
Sperry Scholarship
Funds are made available by Tom and Sandy Sperry. If you apply for the GEO Scholarship (see above), you are automatically considered for the Sperry Scholarship.
Steger Center Room and Board Fund
$2,500 award
You must participate in a semester-long Steger Center program (minimum of 12 VT credits)
You must have a 2.5 GPA minimum
International students currently enrolled at Virginia Tech who want to study abroad can apply
Graduate students can also apply
To be considered for this scholarship, you must apply for the GEO Scholarship (see above)
Nyfeler Scholarship (Steger Center)
Funds are made available by Jim and Cathy Nyfeler to enhance the Steger Center experience and to provide support for student expenses related to the program. Recipients of this scholarship receive $2,000.
Eligibility requirements
Participation in a semester-long Steger Center program (minimum of 12 VT credits)
2.5 GPA minimum
You need to identify a project that will enhance your Steger experience for which you need to submit a proposal
If awarded a scholarship, upon return, you will also be asked to send a Thank You letter to the Nyfeler family in which you speak to your time at the Steger Center (to include your project proposal).
Applications for each cycle open 6 weeks before the deadlines mentioned above.
You can apply through Scholarship Central
Deadlines: February 6 (for fall programs), September 6 (for spring programs)
All applicants are notified within 4 weeks after the deadline.
Virginia Tech Institutional Scholarships
Check with your college/department to see what scholarships they might have available.
Check Scholarship Central for any study abroad related scholarships.
If you already have a scholarship, contact your scholarship provider to verify that it may be applied towards study abroad.
National Scholarships (this list is by no means exhaustive)
Non-VT Scholarships
Sites with searchable databases