
Worried About How to Afford an Education Abroad?
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Many education abroad programs cost the same as a semester at UMaine, check out our direct exchange programs under the ‘Programs’ tab at the bottom of the page.
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Saving is part of planning for your semester abroad.
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Monitor your spending leading up to going abroad.
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Your family can be a great resource to help you with an education abroad savings account.
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Remember that some countries are more affordable than others.
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Each country is a unique travel experience.
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Cost of living and travel expenses are lower in different countries. Costa Rica, Bulgaria, and Thailand are each amazing countries to travel to at a lower cost.
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Check out the scholarship page to find even more resources to help pay for your time abroad.
- Students should also take into consideration the possibility of needing to quarantine while in their host country. Each student should look into the protocols for their host country to calculate a possible budget for quarantine costs which should include: quarantine housing, food, and testing. For more information on COVID-19, please review our COVID page.
Financial Aid
UMaine funds can be used for any approved programs. When completing your FAFSA, be sure base it on your usual UMaine costs.
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The Office of Financial Aid can increase your loan eligibility to accommodate higher semester costs if needed.
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You may be eligible to apply for alternative loans.
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The Office of International Programs will help provide you with an official budget that includes travel costs to your Financial Aid Advisor.
Other Tips and Reminders
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You must be enrolled as a full time student before and during your time abroad.
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You cannot use federal work-study funds while abroad.
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Financial Aid funds are released a week before classes start at UMaine. Funds will not be disbursed based on when your program starts.
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All your pre-departure forms must be completed before your financial aid will be released.
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Airfare, visas, and housing deposits (usually) must be paid before UMaine Financial Aid is distributed.
Applicable Financial Aid
Types of Aid | Applicable? |
Pell Grant | All Approved Programs |
Fed Supplement Grant | All Approved Programs |
Fed Direct Stafford Loan | All Approved Programs |
Fed Perkins Loan | All Approved Programs |
Fed Parent PLUS Loan | All Approved Programs |
State Maine Grant | All Approved Programs |
UMaine Grant | All Approved Programs |
Maine’s Top Scholar | All Approved Programs |
President Scholarship | All Approved Programs |
Types of Aid | Applicable? |
Black Bear Scholarship | All Approved Programs |
Transfer Merit Award | All Approved Programs |
Depart./College Scholarship | All Approved Programs |
External Scholarship | Possibly |
Work Study Funds | No |
International Scholarship | Direct Exchange Only |
Employee Dependent | Direct Exchange Only |
Native American Waiver | Direct Exchange Only |
Veteran Scholarship | Direct Exchange Only |
Veteran Dependent | All Approved Programs |
For External Scholarships or Grants
*Be sure to contact the donor/provider and discuss you education abroad plans