Financial Aid & International Studies Abroad
The USD-affiliated and USD-sponsored programs listed on this web site are regarded as extensions of the University's academic curriculum. Financial aid, therefore, is available to eligible students for one semester of approved study abroad in a USD-affiliated program. A financial aid counselor can help those students who wish to study at a USD-affiliated program for a full year to determine how much of their total award may be used to cover the additional costs (USD-funded aid is not available for a second semester). Financial aid for summer and Intersession programs is available only in the form of loans. Often, financial aid applications are due before the application to the study abroad programs. Students should therefore plan carefully and submit both applications early. For more information, consult the Office of Financial Aid Services (Hughes Administration Center, Room 314, (619) 260-4514).
Note: Tuition Remission may not be used for USD-affiliated semester programs.
As stated in the Guide to Financial Aid Consumer Information at USD for 2005-2006 regarding study abroad opportunities, "A student may utilize financial aid to participate in USD Study Abroad Opportunities. Usually the financial aid package (without employment through the Federal Work-Study Program) can be used for the first semester abroad. Note: USD Scholarship or Grant funds must be reduced in conjunction with Cal Grants if the total of the two funds received exceed tuition charges. Neither of these sources can be used for room and board for a study abroad semester. USD financial aid funds are limited to one semester abroad during the course of the student's academic program (Note: USD financial aid cannot be used for enrollment at non-USD Study Abroad Programs). Federal Perkins Loans, Federal Pell Grants, minimum Federal SEOG for Federal Pell recipients, Cal Grants, Subsidized Federal Stafford, Unsubsidized Federal Stafford and Federal PLUS Loans are not limited to one semester abroad. Usually, outside scholarships may be used for study abroad. A student who wishes to participate in a USD Study Abroad Opportunity must plan well in advance, by gaining acceptance to participate in a USD Sponsored (Affiliated or Exchange) Study Abroad Program, being sure the Office of Financial Aid Services is informed of his/her intention, and insuring that sufficient funding is available to meet necessary expenses.
A student must provide the USD Office of Financial Aid Services and Student Accounts with an overseas address. Funds from a Subsidized Federal Stafford or Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan that are received by check will be forwarded to the student (if an address is provided) for endorsement. Funds received via Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) will be credited to the student's university account when all requirements are met. Contact the USD Student Accounts Office for questions regarding any refunds. Although it is not required, a student may designate a Power-of-Attorney to endorse checks and authorize fund transfers. The Power-of-Attorney cannot be a university employee, but more appropriately a parent or relative. If it is the student's first year to apply for a Stafford loan, the student is responsible for completing Entrance Loan Counseling (www.sandiego.edu/financial_aid) before leaving San Diego" (p. 19).
IMPORTANT TELEPHONE NUMBERS
To Ask:
If the FAFSA has been processed..(319)337-5665
About your Cal Grant...(888)224-7268
About General Federal Aid Information...(800)730-8913
About Selective Service Status...(847)688-6888
About EDFUND Loans...(888)294-0105
About loans guaranteed through USA Group/Sallie Mae... (888)272-5543
About loans sold to ACS...(800)835-4611
About loans sold to Sallie Mae...(888)272-5543
Federal Loan Ombudsman...(877)557-2575
State Loan Ombudsman...(916)526-8024
To Request:
Duplicate Student Aid Report...(319)337-5665
To Add a School to Student Aid Report...(319)337-5665
Free Copy of Tax Information...(800)829-1040
FIVE COMMON ERRORS TO AVOID WITH FINANCIAL AID
Students should mention on the financial aid application that they will
be studying abroad in one of the upcoming semesters. If the application
is turned in before April 1st, "COMMON ERROR #1" has
been avoided. The Financial Aid Office will receive a list of expenses
and a roster of study abroad students ( in June for fall and in November
for spring ) which they will use to calculate loan amounts. They
will not be able to determine an exact award amount before they receive
these documents.
An offer letter will then be sent to the student via email. Students
must respond within 3 weeks or it becomes null & void ("COMMON
ERROR #2").
AVOID COMMON ERROR #3: Don't forget! Financial Aid and Student
Accounts need to know who (parent, sibling, friend) will be permitted
to discuss the student's account in his/her absence.
Financial Aid has a “Consent Form for Parents” for this purpose. Student Accounts uses the "Change of Address Form" that can be found at the Registrar or at Student Accounts. The person listed at the bottom of this form under the "billing address" section as "name of person to be billed" is the person who will be allowed to discuss the account.
It is HIGHLY recommended that students studying abroad get a notarized “POWER
OF ATTORNEY ” which will allow someone (parent,
sibling, friend) to discuss their records or accounts and to authorize
disclosure of information. Such legal forms may be found on the internet.
AVOID COMMON ERROR #4: Some funds may not be disbursed
before the start of the program abroad. In this case, a "Refund
Deposit and Release Form" should be filled out before departure
in order to allow Student Accounts to deposit the refund at the student's
bank or to allow someone else to pick up the refund check.
MOST COMMON ERROR #5: Once the funds are disbursed
to the student's account, students must make arrangements for the
payment of housing and program fees to the affiliate institution.
This is not automatic. USD pays only the tuition portion of the fees
and will not handle housing or other payments for financial aid students.
Remember: at the earliest, funds will be disbursed 10 days prior to the start of the program. Students may need to pay for some fees in advance and be reimbursed for them. ( Syracuse programs may waive the $450 deposit/confirmation if a financial aid application is on file.)
Visit the Office of Financial Aid Services Web site
Power of Attorney Form
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. For this reason, personal student information may not be shared with friends, family, other offices at USD, or the host institution without legal permission from the student (applicable if student is 18 or older). The USD Study Abroad Power of Attorney Form is not required though is highly recommended for study abroad students. This form allows a specified agent to discuss the student's: record, financial aid, and account information. This power of attorney is for a limited time only and is valid for the duration of the student's travel abroad. Upon return, the policy becomes null and void. Once completed, this form must be notarized, thereby become legally binding.
USD Study Abroad Power of
Attorney Form 
[pdf
84 KB]
Refund Deposit & Release Form
This form allows a student to have his/her financial aid award: deposited directly into a specified bank account, sent by mail or made payable to a named agent for pick-up on the student's behalf. This form should be submitted directly to the Office of Student Accounts, located in the Hughes Cener, Room 205.
