Frequently Asked Questions: Financial

When thinking about going abroad there are many questions that come to mind. Below are answers to commonly asked questions.

1. Is financial aid free money?

No financial aid is NOT free money. It is a combination of loans and grants depending on eligibility. Loans must be paid back. You do not pay back grants. However, grants are not widely available and you must be eligible to receive them.
2. What does financial aid cover on study abroad programs?
If eligible and all necessary documents are complete, it may cover the entire cost of attendance for all study abroad programs such as room, board, books, tuition, airfare, costs of excursions/field trips. It will not cover spending money.
3. Will I receive financial aid for summer study abroad?
As long as you receive financial aid or have processed your financial aid during the spring term prior to the summer study abroad program, you may be eligible to receive summer financial aid. Please check with Financial Aid Services.
4. How many credits do I need to carry to receive financial aid?
Minimum of 6 credits for the summer, and 12 credits for the semester for undergraduate students.
Minimum of 4 credits for the summer, and 8 credits for the semester for graduate students.
5. If I am on financial aid, must I pay the non-refundable deposit if I am accepted to the program?
Yes.  The balance of the program payment including your airfare can then be deferred until you receive your financial aid.
6. Do I pay tuition here at UHM in addition to the study abroad fee?
No. The study abroad fee is in lieu of tuition.
7. If by the end of the program I do not clear my balance for studying abroad then what happens?

A financial hold will be placed on your UHM records until your balance is cleared. If you don't clear your balance for an extended period of time, then your account will be sent to a collections agency.

8. Are Scholarships available to fund my study abroad program?

Yes - UHM Study Abroad Center has specific scholarships for our semester and year programs, see our Scholarship section. Unfortunately we provide no scholarships for our summer programs. There are options elsewhere so please check our Outside Funding section.

9. I am not a UHM student, can I still apply for UHM Study Abroad scholarships and Financial Aid?

No - you are not eligible for UHMSAC scholarships nor UHM financial aid. You must apply for scholarships and financial aid at your home institution. However there are outside sources available, please check our Outside Funding section.