Financial Aid Procedure

It is very important that you understand the costs associated with your study abroad program. All FSC study abroad programs grant academic credit, therefore the student will be billed for applicable tuition and any related college fees in addition the estimated cost of the study abroad program.

Within the SUNY system there are over a 1000 study abroad programs. The program cost varies with respect to location, housing accommodations, length of program, etc. With research you are sure to find a program that meets your budget.

We highly recommended you make an appointment with a Financial Aid Counselor early in your planning process to discuss finance options available to best maximize your funding.

View the Financial Aid Department website for important information regarding applicable credits.

Financial Aid Department Contact Information

Laffin Hall, 324
Phone: 934-420-2578
Fax: 934-420-3662
Department email: faoffice@farmingdale.edu

How to prepare for your Financial Aid meeting:

• Complete and file FAFSA for the appropriate aid year, including verification documents, if applicable
• Bring: detailed budget sheet for study abroad program
• Bring: completed top portion of Financial Agreement Form (found on your application portal)
• Bring: completed and signed Course Pre-Approval form (found on your application portal)
• Bring: scholarship award letter (if applicable)
• Bring: grant award letter (if applicable

Funding Options

Students can fund their study abroad experience in multiple ways:

• Personal savings
• FAFSA
• Scholarships
• Grants

FAFSA

All federal grants and loans are based on the information you provide on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

The FAFSA application is available on-line as early as Oct. 1 each year at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa.

Students are highly encouraged to submit a FAFSA application as soon as the application becomes available. Early submission allows the financial aid counselor the ability to review your documents and estimate your eligibility for funding.

Early submission is especially important for students enrolled in summer study abroad as this allows the student more time to prepare for alternative funding if necessary.

Scholarships and Grants

Please be aware that if you are in receipt of a monetary scholarship or grant award your financial aid eligibility may be affected.

Private/Alternative Loans

Students who do not qualify for financial aid, or students who have exhausted their federal loan eligibility and would like to increase their aid can look to private and/or alternative student loan options.

Financial Aid Disbursement

Per federal regulations the Financial Aid Office will disburse funds on specific dates set by the Financial Aid Office at the beginning of each academic year. Financial aid, if applicable, is often not dispersed until after a program commences and costs may be incurred prior to departure. You may have to use personal funds to pay program costs prior to the disbursement dates.

If your financial aid and or loan check will be disbursed while you are abroad you will need to set up a method to release your funds. Please stop by the Student Accounts Office to compete the required paperwork.

Students' failure to make timely payments may result in late fees, transcripts being withheld, accounts being put on hold, as well as the account being turned over to a collection agency.

Payment Plan

Setting up a payment plan is an option as well. Payment plan applications are available at the Student Accounts Office.

Please be aware a student is only eligible for a certain amount of funding per academic year.

It's important to discuss with a Financial Aid Counselor how your use of financial aid funds for studying abroad may or may not affect your financial aid needed to pay for subsequent semesters.

Other Information

All federal and state aid for students that are matriculating at FSC will be certified through FSC, the home institution.

In the case that a student is participating in a FSC program but matriculating at another institution, the student's home institution will process any federal or state aid the student may be eligible to receive.

Students participating on an exchange program are responsible for any and all charges accrued at both the home as well as host institution.