Financial Planning

Students are eligible to use existing financial aid packages toward the cost of study away programs if the courses fulfill degree requirements and the student is taking the equivalent of a full course load at Buffalo State. Students receiving scholarships should check with their scholarship coordinator to ensure funds are eligible to be applied toward their study away program. For questions regarding financial aid, students should contact the Financial Aid Office in Moot Hall 230, at finaid@buffalostate.edu, or 716-878-4902.

• Students can complete the FAFSA and TAP applications for the following academic year starting October 1. 
• If a student plans to study abroad during January or summer intersessions, a separate financial aid application is required and can either be picked up in person at the Financial Aid Office or downloaded from their website.
• Financial aid packages are subject to change based on changes to program costs.
• To be considered for Financial Aid, a student must submit their budget sheet and completed course equivalency forms to the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible.  

• Funds will be dispersed following the regular Buffalo State disbursement schedule.
• In many cases, financial aid may not be disbursed until after students have left the country. Students should plan to budget for any financial requirements that must be met before financial aid is disbursed.
• If students will be receiving a refund from financial aid, we recommend signing up for direct deposit through the Office of Student Accounts to receive funds as quickly as possible.

Please visit Buffalo State's Financial Aid website to learn more in-depth knowledge about financial and how it can be applied to your study away experience.

The purpose of the Study Abroad Scholarship Fund is to provide financial awards to meritorious students participating in Buffalo State international study programs and to contribute to promotional activities for these programs.  Students must be matriculated at Buffalo State at the time of the scholarship application.

Meritorious candidates will be identified on the basis of:

• GPA of 3.0 and above (must have completed at least one semester at Buffalo State)
• Relevance of overseas study to student's academic program and career goals
• Service, activities, interests, work experience
• Essay (refer to application for details)

Awards

Scholarships of varying amounts will be awarded.

Awards will depend upon merit and need (particularly the gap between financial aid available and the cost of the program – full-time students are normally able to demonstrate greater need).

Completed scholarship application forms need to be emailed directly to studyaway@buffalostate.edu for review.

The Study Abroad Scholarship Committee will review all applications and make all decisions regarding the awarding of scholarships under this program.

Application Deadlines

Winter Programs: November 15

Spring Programs: January 15

Summer and Fall Programs: April 5

• Application Form
• Recommendation Form

Students may apply for various scholarships through other Buffalo State departments or outside organizations. In addition to Buffalo State and SUNY scholarships, there are numerous nationally funded scholarships for which you may be eligible to apply. Many of these scholarships provide assistance that is targeted to specific and/or underrepresented student groups. Below you will find tools for searching resources on non-Buffalo State scholarships and grants.

Find National Scholarships with NAFSA’s Search Tool

• NAFSA U.S. Study Abroad Scholarships & Grants List

National Awards:

• Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
• Boren Scholarships
• Critical Language Scholarship Program
• Freeman Awards (Freeman Asia) for Study in Asia