Financial Aid Information for
UC Students Who Wish to Participate in Study Abroad Programs

The Financial Aid and Scholarships Office provides federal, state, and campus funds to eligible students enrolled in University-approved study abroad programs. The University participates with several foreign study abroad programs that enable UC Berkeley students to enroll in classes at a foreign university for one semester, the full academic year, or a Summer Session. Financial aid is available to assist students with costs for the study abroad program of their choice.

Summer Abroad Programs

The Summer Abroad Programs offer a diverse collection of study abroad courses that combine international travel with academic coursework. Students can choose to study at a host institution in one of ten countries. Financial aid is available to eligible UC Berkeley students to assist with the cost of these programs. The aid available is primarily made up of loans. Loans can only be offered if the student has not received the maximum for the fall and/or spring semester prior to the summer of travel. If the student is not eligible for a student loan, they will be offered a parent loan (if they are dependent students). For more information about the Summer Abroad Programs, please visit the Summer Sessions website or contact the Summer Sessions International Programs Office at (510) 643-0746. For more information about financial aid, please read about the summer financial aid process for a Summer Abroad Program.

Education Abroad Program (EAP)

The Education Abroad Program (EAP) is the University's most common study abroad program. EAP offers more than 250 study programs in thirty-five countries. The costs for these programs vary from $9,993 for a summer in Mexico to $27,505 for a full year in Japan. Generally speaking, students are offered the same financial aid package that they would have received at UC Berkeley, but their budget is adjusted for the specific EAP program they will be attending. For more information about EAP programs, please visit the EAP website and also read EAP financial information.

Consortium Study Agreement Program (Non-EAP)

Other foreign study abroad programs are available to UC Berkeley students with approval from their college or department. Under the campus Consortium Study Agreement Program, students approved to take a leave of absence from the standard on-campus curriculum may study abroad for a semester, full year, or Summer Session. Financial aid is available to assist eligible participants with the costs of these foreign study programs; however, it is limited to federal Pell Grants, Cal Grants, Direct Loans, and parent loans. Students find that they must supplement the cost of these study programs with their own resources, although some students are able to find outside scholarships. Students must have filed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and completed their financial aid file before submitting the Consortium Agreement. If you have questions about the Consortium financial aid process, please see our web pages about Academic Year Financial Aid or Summer Financial Aid for the Consortium Study Agreement Program, or contact Rich Hardenbrook (richiestu@berkeley.edu), our consortium study specialist.