Financial Aid

Most students are able to utilize most of their financial aid while studying abroad. We encourage you to speak directly with the Financial Aid Office for details on your specific aid package. 

Financial Aid and Study Abroad

Aid you can use for study abroad
  DUPP Unaffiliated
Federal & State Financial Aid1 Yes Yes
Work Study No No
DU Institutional Aid (incl. Housing Grant)2 Yes No
Cherrington Global Scholars (CGS) Benefits Yes No
Outside Scholarships3 Ask provider Ask provider
VA Educational Benefits4 No Some programs

1 Federal & State Aid: Unaffiliated program students must submit a completed Consortium Agreement for a Non-DU Study Abroad Program to the Office of Financial Aid to use this type of aid.
2 Institutional Aid: You can only use this type of aid for the terms you pay DU tuition. You may use a housing grant for a DUPP if it's part of your financial aid award, even if you didn't receive it previously because you lived off campus. If your DUPP doesn't include housing, your housing grant will be credited to your DU tuition bill. Students on unaffiliated programs may be able to use aid for INTZ 2502 during their abroad term, but doing so can affect aid eligibility for future terms. Talk to a Financial Aid advisor for details.
3 Outside Scholarship: You must meet all conditions stipulated by the scholarship provider.
4 VA Education Benefits: The VA determines which particular programs are eligible for VA education benefits.

  • Financial Aid on DU Partner Programs (DUPP)

    If you attend a DU partner program, any applicable institutional, federal, and state scholarship and financial aid funds (except work study) will be applied to your study abroad term. Outside scholarships will be applied insofar as conditions stipulated by the donor permit. Institutional aid will only pay out for the terms in which a student pays tuition to DU. See the DU policy on Tuition and Fees for more details.

    If you receive a housing grant as part of a scholarship or financial aid award, you may use it for a DU Partner Program even if you lived off campus previously and did not receive that portion of the award. There are a few DU Partner Programs that require students to pay for their housing directly rather than to DU; in those cases, the housing portion of a scholarship would be credited to the student's tuition bill.

    You are encouraged to speak directly with the Financial Aid Office for details on your specific aid package. Visit the Financial Aid Office's Study Abroad page.

    Cherrington Global Scholars (CGS)

    The Eligible Aid listed above applies whether or not you are a Cherrington Global Scholar (CGS). CGS is a financial benefit (not a scholarship) and thus should not affect your aid package. Only students on DUPPs are eligible for CGS status.

    Summer Programs

    Summer financial aid is determined separately from the academic year. Please complete the DU Summer Aid form (usually available in April).

    Scholarships

    There may be additional outside scholarships that are available to you. See Study Abroad Scholarships and check with your OIE advisor to see if you qualify for any of additional grants or scholarships.

    Disbursement Timeline

    It is important to note that financial aid disperses per DU's normal billing cycle, regardless of your abroad program's dates. Students expecting a refund will be able to access it after financial aid has been dispersed.

    VA Educational Benefits

    Unfortunately, VA Educational Benefits cannot be used for DUPPs under the US Department of Veteran Affairs' current regulations. We recommend you consider an unaffiliated program instead.

  • Financial Aid on Unaffiliated Programs

    Institutional funds are not available for unaffiliated programs, but federal and state aid usually apply (except work study). Most financial aid is not applicable to interterm study programs.

    You are encouraged to speak directly with the Financial Aid Office for details on your specific aid package. Visit the Financial Aid Office's Study Abroad page.

    Cherrington Global Scholars (CGS)

    Students on unaffiliated programs are ineligible for Cherrington Global Scholar (CGS) benefits.

    Summer Programs

    Summer financial aid is determined separately from the academic year. Please complete the DU Summer Aid form (usually available in April).

    Scholarships

    There may be additional outside scholarships that are available to you. See Study Abroad Scholarships and check with your OIE advisor to see if you qualify for any of additional grants or scholarships.

    Disbursement Timeline

    You are responsible for paying the bill at your host school by their due date. It is important to note that financial aid disperses on DU's normal billing cycle, regardless of your abroad program's dates. Students expecting a refund will be able to access it after financial aid has been dispersed.

    VA Educational Benefits

    Since all guidelines are subject to change per the US Department of Veteran Affairs, please speak directly to an OIE Advisor, your School Certifying Official, and DU's Veterans Services about your specific plans.

    Many, but not all, unaffiliated programs are eligible for VA benefit use.

    • Use the VA's GI Bill Comparison Tool to confirm if VA education benefits are allowed for your intended program. Please be aware that the VA's guidelines are subject to change at any time.
    • Talk with your School Certifying Official about how your VA certifications and benefits could be impacted.

    Navigating VA education benefits abroad can be tricky. But the OIE is here to help you understand resources and be a thought partner on which programs may be the best fit for you. Don't hesitate to reach out with questions!