Generally, grants, scholarships, and loans can be used to cover study abroad expenses but it does depend on the type of program you participate in. Study abroad programs that are eligible to utilize financial aid can be viewed here.

We encourage you to verify the program you are considering with your study abroad coordinator, but generally, the following programs are eligible:

• Faculty Led (excluding merit tuition scholarships)
• Exchange
• Arizona Abroad Locations

You can perform a Quick Search by Program Type using the Study Abroad Program Search tool.

If you receive financial aid, make sure you have a solid understanding as to when you will have access to that aid to ensure it will be available to you when you need it.

Generally speaking, financial aid will begin to disburse to your University of Arizona Bursar’s account approximately ten days before your earliest class for the fall and spring semesters. During the summer semester, financial aid will begin to disburse approximately four days before the start of your earliest summer session. 

Early Start Study Abroad Programs

If your Fall Study Abroad program starts before mid-August and you are relying on your financial aid to pay for your program-related expenses, then you will need to plan ahead. 

For students applying to many of our programs in Australia, New Zealand or Latin America, this is especially true, as the start date of your program can sometimes be in late July/early August and you may need to have funds available for costs such as housing, airfare, or a student visa, etc. 

If you will not have personal funds available to cover these costs while you wait for your financial aid to become available, talk with your Study Abroad Coordinator or reach out to the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid to learn about the possibility of utilizing a Temporary Loan. Temporary Loans are available to students who are waiting for their financial aid to disburse to their Bursar’s account. 

Late Start Programs

If your study abroad program begins after the regular semester dates at the University of Arizona, you will be enrolled in a study abroad placeholder course with a later start date that aligns with the actual dates of your study abroad program. Your accepted financial aid will be disbursed to your Bursar’s account approximately ten days (fall and spring), or four days (summer) prior to the start date of your enrollment on your UAccess Student account. For example, many study abroad programs in Asia begin in March. Be sure to take a look at your study abroad enrollment dates to determine when you can expect your financial aid to be disbursed. 

Summer Study Abroad Programs

Financial aid may be available for Wildcats interested in summer study abroad programs. 

Get answers to the most frequently asked questions about summer financial aid, including unit requirements, deadlines and the timeline to receive your aid at the Summer Financial Aid website. Financial Aid for summer study abroad programs will generally be disbursed four days prior to the start date of your study abroad courses found on your UAccess student account.

It is important to know that not all types of aid can be applied to cover your expenses, so start by determining what kinds of financial aid you are eligible for. You can view your financial aid offer in your UAccess Student Center. Then, view this chart to understand what financial aid can be applied towards an eligible study abroad program.

No, merit tuition scholarships are not available during the summer. 

Students may only use their merit tuition scholarship on an Arizona study abroad program for a maximum of 1 year (two consecutive semesters) during the fall and spring semesters only. Students participating in a semester or year-long Exchange or Arizona Abroad program must meet their merit aid award renewal criteria in order to qualify.

Students are required to maintain the renewal criteria for their scholarship when they study abroad. Be sure to verify your scholarship terms and conditions based on the year you were awarded.

Students participating in an Arizona Abroad or Exchange study abroad program will have 15 units per semester waived for scholarship renewal purposes for each term(s) that they are in the program. You must ensure you are on track to meeting your scholarship renewal requirements prior to going abroad.

Yes, if the study abroad experience is an eligible Arizona study abroad program. There is no additional Arizona Assurance funding provided, but students are able to utilize the amount that would regularly be awarded to them.

Federal and institutional aid is not able to be applied towards a non-University of Arizona sponsored study abroad program. Students who are interested in these programs are limited to private educational loans to help cover their expenses. 

These programs include, but are not limited to: CEA, CIEE, DIS, Semester at Sea etc. Refer to the non-University of Arizona study abroad programs webpage for additional guidance and information. 

Unfortunately, no. QTR is not eligible to be applied towards study abroad, even if the study abroad program includes tuition as part of the cost. 

There are many ways to reach our office, find the best way here. If you choose to email us, be sure to select the “Other/study abroad” category.

The best way to learn more is to visit our website, browse available programs and connect with a coordinator.