Study Abroad

Scholarships and Finances

Studying abroad may be more affordable than you think. If you already receive financial aid, you may be able to use some of those funds to help cover your study abroad expenses. To determine what aid you’re eligible for, you’ll first need to be officially accepted into a study abroad program. After that, a financial aid counselor can review your aid eligibility with you. To schedule an appointment, please visit https://calendly.com/avizcarra-csufresno/study-abroad-and-financial-aid?month=2026-04

Appointments are available on Thursdays and are 30 minutes. 

Review and Apply for Grants, Scholarships & Aid

How it works

Your financial aid eligibility for study abroad depends on the type of program you choose and how long you’ll be abroad. In most cases, students can use their financial aid for semester or full-year programs without any issues.

Federal aid—such as Pell Grants and student loans—typically applies to semester programs. State aid, including university grants and Cal Grants, can usually be used for programs that offer resident credit.

Please note that Federal Work-Study is not available while studying abroad, and summer programs may have more limited financial aid options.

Once you’ve submitted all required documents, the Study Abroad Office will notify the Financial Aid Office of your plans to study abroad, and the Financial Aid Office will adjust your cost of attendance and financial aid package to reflect your program abroad. 

Before going abroad

Before departing, make sure you:

  • Have a current Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file for the appropriate aid year 
  • Are meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements for the term(s) you plan to study abroad 
  • Sign up for Transact eRefund in case you are eligible for a financial aid refund
  • Complete all required paperwork with the Study Abroad Office by the stated deadlines  

Study Abroad is affordable! 

There are many programs designed to fit a variety of budgets—you just need to find the one that works for you.

Start by identifying your goals: what do you want from your experience, and where are you willing to be flexible? Program costs can vary, so having a clear plan can help you make the best choice.

As you explore your options, be sure to compare factors like location and length of stay, as these can impact both your experience and your overall costs.

As always, the financial aid and scholarships office is happy to help you determine which financial aid awards will travel with you.  

Veterans Services Program for Studying Abroad

Student veterans can often apply VA Benefits to funding for education abroad experiences. There are some limitations to what VA education benefits will cover when it comes to study abroad expenses, so student veterans should start planning as early as possible for education abroad and work closely with the Study Abroad Office as well as the Veterans Resource Center at 559.278.6036 or email us at: fsveterans@mail.fresnostate.edu.

The three basic rules (as stipulated by the Department of Veterans Affairs) for applying for VA education benefits to study abroad are:

  1. Students must be enrolled in courses that are required for their degree program.
  2. The programs at the “host” institution in the foreign country must be approved.
  3. VA cannot pay any fees specific to studying abroad unless the student is required to study abroad as part of their degree program.

Even though there is a restriction on paying “study abroad “fees,” the VA defines ways to reimburse study abroad tuition costs, particularly when you are paying tuition to your home school.

Additional Veterans Resources for Studying Abroad