Special Circumstances for Undergraduates

Study Abroad / Away from Campus

Stanford students have many opportunities to enhance their academic study in programs located away from the main campus. Students on aid can use a “Study Away Grant” of up to $1,000 ($2,000 for zero-parent contribution students) once during their undergraduate program, depending on their financial situation. Loans may also be available to cover additional expenses.

Bing Overseas Studies Program

If you are accepted into a Bing Overseas Studies Program your financial aid eligibility will be automatically adjusted to reflect the associated costs, including consideration of your ability to work outside of the U.S.  Adjustments are made approximately one month before the start of your program. You do not need to notify our office of your acceptance into these programs; we obtain this information directly from BOSP. Apart from airfare and personal travel expenses, the basic cost of studying with BOSP for a quarter is close to the cost of remaining on campus. If you receive Stanford scholarship you will automatically be considered for a one-time grant and loans to help with your extra costs. If you are enrolled in a quarter-length program during Summer, the amount of aid that you receive will be the same as what you would receive during the academic year, however that summer quarter does count as one of your twelve quarters of eligibility for Stanford scholarship support.

Other Stanford Quarter-Length Programs

Examples include Stanford in Washington, Stanford in New York and Stanford’s Wrigley Field Program in Hawaii. Students who participate are still responsible for tuition at Stanford, and may have additional expenses for travel and other expenses related to their study away. The Financial Aid Office works with these academic programs to identify participants. These students continue to receive their regular financial aid and are eligible for the one-time Study Away Grant to support their extra expenses.  All support is coordinated with any support the programs may provide.

Class Trips

On a case-by-case basis, travel required by your academic program can be considered for the Study Away grant.  To request consideration, please provide a copy of your class syllabus showing the travel requirement with a budget of the required expenses.

BOSP Global Seminars

Global Seminars are 2-4 week programs during the summer.  Participating students pay a highly subsidized program fee determined by the program length that covers all housing, meals and onsite transportation for the duration of the program.  As these opportunities do not constitute full-time enrollment, students are ineligible for support through the Financial Aid Program.  However, BOSP does provide fee waivers based on financial aid eligibility during the academic year of up to 100% as well as a travel grant for some students.  Students receiving a Federal Pell Grant may be eligible for additional federal funding based on their part-time enrollment.

Consortia (Non-Stanford Programs)

If you choose to attend a program through another school you cannot receive any University aid during that time. However, you may arrange a consortium agreement in order to use your federal or state aid to attend a non-Stanford program. The funds that may be used under a consortium agreement are:

Federal Pell Grant Federal Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loan Federal PLUS Parent loan Cal Grant

You can initiate the consortium agreement process by submitting a completed Consortium Certification form to our office. Because the coordination between Stanford and your host-school can be a lengthy process, we recommend you submit this form at least eight to ten weeks prior to the beginning of your program.

Updated on March 6, 2024 8:41 AM