Study Abroad and Transient Students
Attention: Financial Aid is available for Study Abroad and Transient (Visiting) students whose programs meet current WVU policies for acceptance of full academic transcripts. Students participating must have obtained prior assurance that all courses successfully completed will transfer to WVU and count toward graduation requirements. WVU will be considered the “home” school or degree granting institution and the other institution/agency will be considered the “host” school. Transient Programs must be approved by the Dean at the WVU College of Law. If you are uncertain about your transient program, please check with the Dean.
To Receive Financial Aid for Study Abroad or Transient Study
- You must apply for financial aid according to standard procedures for all students (i.e. the Federal aid application—FAFSA—must be completed and accepted by the processor to be considered for assistance for the academic year in which you will enroll as a Study Abroad or Transient student). You must also speak with the Financial Aid Counselor once the financial aid results are on file in the Financial Aid Office (usually takes 2-3 weeks after you file the FAFSA).
- You must inform the Financial Aid Office of your plans well in advance, 90 days or more, to ensure that disbursements will not be delayed or canceled.
- Study Abroad / Transient students are eligible for all aid they would receive if they were enrolled for the same number of credit hours at WVU. There are some exceptions such as Federal Work Study and Scholarships. Scholarship availability should be confirmed with the sponsor of the scholarship.
- Study Abroad/Transient students must provide a copy of a completed Transient Application (or written verification of plans to study outside WVU from the Dean, and the number of credit hours WVU will accept) to the Financial Aid Counselor.
- Study Abroad/Transient students must also provide an “official” estimate of the cost of the study abroad/transient program (from Study Abroad Advisor, etc.) to the Financial Aid Counselor. Financial aid eligibility is determined by program costs and the beginning and ending dates of the program.
- A written agreement with the “host” school is required. An individual agreement must be negotiated for each term that you participate in the Study Abroad/Transient program. The Financial Aid Counselor will negotiate a consortium agreement for you after all requirements in step #4 and step #5 have been met.
- Deposits and advance payments are your responsibility. No disbursements of financial aid can be made before the beginning date of the corresponding WVU term. Federal Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and Grad PLUS Loans are paid in one disbursement at the beginning of each term.
- If you are unable to pay charges at the other school, and need a deferment of those fees until financial aid is available, it is your responsibility to make those arrangements with the “host” institution/agency.
- If the “host” school requests, financial aid will be sent directly to their Business Office. Unless you specify otherwise, your refund will be mailed to the local mailing address on file with Admissions and Records. Any charges owed to WVU must be paid before aid can be used to pay charges at the “host” school.
- The Financial Aid Office will keep the WVU Office of Student Accounts apprised of your status and disbursement needs.
- In the event WVU is notified that you have failed to pay your financial obligation to another school, WVU is required to restrict access to your WVU academic records. Further financial aid cannot be offered until the situation is resolved.
- During participation in a Study Abroad / Transient program, you are responsible for keeping your student loans deferred by properly completing deferment request forms and submitting them to your loan servicer(s). Deferment forms must be completed by the “host” school not by WVU.