Frequently Asked Questions

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How does financial aid work for study away?

Financial aid is available to students who are participating in an approved study away program during the academic year. Your family contribution will not change based on your decision to study abroad. It will be calculated in the same manner as when you are enrolled on-campus. Your cost of attendance will be adjusted to reflect expenses related to your specific program and will determine the amount of aid that you receive.

How do I pay the enrollment deposit for my program?

Students are expected to pay the enrollment deposit by the program’s established deadline. Vassar will not release financial aid in advance to cover this cost so be prepared to pay this fee. Some programs may allow a deferred deposit payment to students who receive significant financial aid and will be receiving a refund to pay the program’s fees. Check with your program directly to see if they offer such accommodations.

When will I find out how much financial aid I will be receiving?

Students who completed their financial aid applications and submitted their budget sheet by the advertised deadlines should receive their financial aid offers as follows:

• Spring semester away: mid-December
• Fall semester/Full year away: mid-June

I only receive loans. Do I have to complete a budget sheet?

Yes.

Do I have to purchase my airfare before I complete my budget sheet?

No. However, you must attach documentation of what your estimated airfare cost will be. We expect that your round-trip flight costs will be the most economical. As a result, we recommend that you use Kayak.com or a comparable site for the lowest cost airfares. Note: for Approved Non-Vassar programs your flight cost is factored into your financial aid budget, but it is your responsibility to purchase your ticket.

What happens if my program’s tuition is less than Vassar tuition?

Vassar is a home tuition school which means you will be charged Vassar tuition regardless of the cost of tuition for your program. The cost of Vassar tuition will be used in your financial aid budget, and your aid eligibility will be based on this larger expense. Vassar is responsible for paying the tuition charge directly to your program. (Note some domestic programs are an exception.)

What if my program’s housing/food costs more than a semester at Vassar?

Please be aware that some programs have very high housing/food costs. If your program’s housing/food cost is more than the cost to remain at Vassar for a semester, you will have to make up the difference out of pocket or by borrowing additional loan funds.

What happens to my work study?

Students are not eligible to participate in student employment while on study away. For the semester(s) that you are away, your work study allocation will be replaced with a student loan (if eligible).

When and how will I receive my financial aid?

Federal financial aid, state aid, and Vassar scholarship will be disbursed no earlier than 10 days prior to the start of Vassar classes each semester. Your aid will automatically be applied to your Vassar student account regardless of where you are studying, provided all requirements are complete and deadlines met.

Outside scholarships: study away/program-specific outside scholarships are typically issued to the student directly or applied as a credit to your program bill.

Will I receive a financial aid refund?

Possibly. If your financial aid for the semester exceeds the charges on your Vassar student account, resulting in a credit balance (negative amount), then you may receive a refund to help pay for your program fee/living expenses. If your financial aid does not exceed the charges on your student account, then you will owe a portion of your family contribution to Vassar and the remaining portion to your program and/or living expenses.

When and how will I receive my refund?

If your aid exceeds the charges on your student account, a credit balance will result, and you will be issued a refund via direct deposit. You must set up your Manage Refund Account in Nelnet and link your bank account to receive the funds. Refunds will be processed automatically during the first week of each semester.

Will I receive a stipend to pay for my food? Note that this is different from a financial aid refund explained above.

• Vassar programs (Paris, Bologna, and Madrid): Yes. A monthly stipend will be issued via JP Morgan Digital Pay. This is not additional money. The funds come from the program fee that you were charged on your Vassar bill.
• All other programs: No. You will use your family contribution or financial aid refund (if eligible) to cover meals.