Sydney, Australia
Macquarie University

FINANCIAL AID
All Southern Miss exchange programs qualify for financial aid.  Contact the USM Financial Aid office (266-4774) for information on how to apply and notify the Office of International Programs that you will be applying for aid. (Students who are seeking a degree at another university and who are enrolling through USM to participate in an exchange must apply for financial aid at their home institution.) 

USM's Financial Aid office is able to consider international airfare and cost of living in your host country when figuring your aid package.  Below are questions commonly asked about financial aid for study abroad:

1) Can I apply my financial aid to a semester/year exchange program?
Yes.  It is possible to use financial aid for USM-sponsored study abroad programs. Even if you have not received aid in the past, you might consider applying for financial aid to help fund your program abroad.      

2) What kinds of aid are available?
a. Need-based federal aid: depends on the evaluation of your need; includes Stafford loans, etc. 
b. Non-need-based loans:  designed to supplement parent/student contribution to your educational costs.
c. Scholarships:  most academic scholarships apply to the cost of your study abroad program -- including the Academic Excellence Award, the National Merit fellowship, the USM Leadership Scholarship, the Presidential Scholarship, and others.

3) How do I apply for financial aid?
Fill out the FASFA and USM financial aid packet – these can be obtained Kennard-Washington Room 101. 

4) When should I start applying for financial aid?
As soon as possible, pick up your financial aid packet from the Financial Aid office (available in January for the following academic year). USM's priority deadline for submitting your application is March 15; you should submit your packet to the Financial Aid office by February 20 to allow time for processing.

5) Are there special procedures involved in using financial aid for an exchange program?
Yes. The Office of International Programs will submit the names of those accepted for each exchange to the Financial Aid office, and will assist you with specific procedures.  Applicants need not take any special measures, other than ensuring that their completed financial aid forms are turned in by the priority deadline.

6) How much of my expenses will the financial aid cover?
That depends on your financial need and your study abroad program cost.  In reviewing your options, you should also consider how much debt you are willing to incur.  

7) Will the number of credits I take affect my financial aid?
Yes.  The credit-load requirements for USM exchange programs are the same as those for on-campus study.   At USM, full-time status during the academic year is 12 hours for undergraduates.

8) Do my grades abroad affect my future financial aid? 
Yes.  Successful completion (or failure) of your program abroad will affect your financial aid status just as it does on the USM campus.

9) Can I defer past loans while studying abroad?
Yes.  Contact your loan agency to request and complete the necessary paperwork, and ask USM’s OIP to provide verification of
enrollment if this is required. 

10) Who is responsible for taking care of my financial aid while I am abroad?
You are.  The International Programs staff will assist you with such matters as having refund checks mailed to the appropriate place, and sending new forms for the following academic year when they become available. We will do everything possible to help you, as long as you inform us (in a timely manner!) what is needed.

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