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

The Financial Aid Office provides federal, state and campus funds to eligible students enrolled in university-approved travel study abroad programs. The University participates with several foreign travel study programs that enable 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 travel study program, of their choice.

Education Abroad Program (EAP)

EAP is the University's most common travel study program. EAP offers study programs at thirty-five (35) foreign host institutions. 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 Berkeley, but their budget is adjusted for the specific EAP travel program they will be attending. For more information about EAP travel study you may access the EAP web site.

Consortium Study Agreement Program (Non-EAP)

Other foreign travel study programs are available to 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 Grant, Cal Grant, federal direct student 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 FAFSA and completed their financial aid file before submitting the consortium agreement. If you have questions regarding the consortium travel study process, contact Ms. Rebecca Davis (rlewis@berkeley.edu), our consortium study specialist.

Berkeley Summer Session Program

In addition to the programs described above, the Berkeley Summer Session Program has a diverse collection of study abroad courses that combine international travel with academic coursework. Students can choose from among eleven countries to study at a host study institution. Financial aid is available for eligible Berkeley students to supplement the cost of these travel abroad programs. The aid available for these summer programs 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 previous 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 Berkeley Summer Session Travel Program visit the Summer Session web site or contact the International Programs Office at (510) 643-0746.