Q&A: Financing Study Abroad
Most forms of financial aid for which students are eligible, including grants, student loans and scholarships may be applied to the cost of TCC- sponsored study abroad programs. Following are some general guidelines for financial aid for study abroad programs. Please remember that every student’s financial aid situation is different. Visit the Tulsa Community College web site for a comprehensive overview of financial aid. It is best if you contact the Office of Financial Aid directly for additional information about your situation.
I WANT TO GO, BUT HOW CAN I AFFORD TO STUDY ABROAD?
This is a question that is in everyone's mind. You could start by saving a little every week, also you could ask your parents and relatives for travel money instead of presents; like during birthday, and other holidays!
Q: Is financial aid available for study abroad? (short term 1-2 weeks)
A: Yes, the trip needs to count for credit at TCC. If it is a TCC function and this is the only institution involved (e.g., we are not transcripting work from another institution or transferring that credit after the fact) we need to know the full cost of participation (airfare, travel, lodging, etc.) and we can provide an enhanced budget to meet those costs.
Q: In what form will financial aid be available to me...Pell grant?
A: If you are Pell eligible, that may be all or part of the solution. However, if you are able to attend at least six hours (the study abroad may be all or part of the six hours) most of our flexibility to increase budgets and aid will come through student or parent loans.
Q: What are the steps I need to follow?
A: You need to have filed a FAFSA - 2012-2013 will work for most for the summer. For periods of enrollment after summer, a 2013-2014 FAFSA would be necessary. Then, you need to follow up on any request the FA Office would have as quickly as possible. It is vital that students considering study abroad identify themselves as soon as possible.
Q: When and how will I received Financial Aid?
A: Students would receive their refunds during the normal course of the term. This is why we suggested we should look at additional aid in earlier terms in some cases. This has to be done on an individual basis, which is just one more reason that early identification is so necessary. Also, students on academic or financial aid probation need to have another funding mechanism. If a student were on probation for the spring and planning to go on a summer intercession trip, they could end up ineligible when the term began.
Please note: The same tier works for summer as the rest of the semesters (i.e. 5 hours or less is considered below 1/2 time, 6-8 hours is considered 1/2 time, 9-11 hours is considered 3/4 time and 12 or more hours is considered full-time). However, since a student cannot enroll in more credit hours than the length of the term. Student wishing to be full-time in the summer would have to combine intercession with the traditional classes of summer (i.e. One May intercession class = 3 credit hours & Three traditional classes = 9 credit hours, giving the student 12 credit hours for the summer semester).
For more information, please visit the Financial Aid advisor:
Missy Makres
mmakres@tulsacc.edu (918) 595-7441 (please reference "Study Abroad")
Click here to visit the TCC Financial Aid website
