Study Abroad

Study Abroad at Clemson University, Clemson South Carolina

Hello Again!

We are glad to learn that you are considering studying abroad and help you understand your options to fund your program. Please use the information listed on our site as a guide. In addition, feel free to meet with a financial aid study abroad counselor at any point during your degree to determine how to fund your program abroad.

Financial aid is defined as receiving any scholarship, grant, and/or loan to fund your education. Unless you are paying entirely out-of-pocket for your education, reviewing the information below is essential to know your options.

General Timeline

  • Step One: Review your options

    Your choice in a study abroad program will make the most significant difference in how far your financial aid will fund your time abroad. Therefore, we strongly encourage you to meet for an informational appointment to know how your financial aid will fund a program abroad; a year or more in advance is not too early!

    Out-of-state students are billed at the in-state rate for faculty-led and exchange programs abroad, which is a tremendous saving for these students.

    Please know that students participating in third-party programs pay most of their bills through their program provider.

  • Step Two: Review Financial Aid for Study Abroad Information Online

    You can now access most information related to financial aid for study abroad online through the Tiger Training programs below. These are excellent guides to begin preparing for future academic years now.

  • Step Three: Schedule Appointment as Needed

    If you have more questions after reviewing the programs listed in Step Two, please find our appointment opportunities on CU Navigate. If none of the available times work for your schedule, please reach out to us directly.

  • Step Four: After your appointment

    Ensure all of your documentation is turned into Student Financial Aid before the end of the semester before studying abroad. Use the information and documents provided online and/or in your appointment to ensure you have taken all appropriate steps to receive your aid. Follow up with your counselor with any additional questions you may have about your trip: finaid@clemson.edu.

  • Step Five: After you are abroad

    For exchange and third-party program participants only: After arriving abroad, present the Verification of Enrollment form to your primary administrative contact abroad. They will complete it on your behalf and send it back to Clemson via the contact information at the bottom of the form. Once your Verification of Enrollment form is received, any refund you may be due will be processed. Allow 1-2 weeks for your refund to be released once you return your Verification of Enrollment. Use this refund to pay for any education-related expenses while you are abroad, including paying your program provider.

Veteran’s Affairs Benefits

Coordinate with the Registrar’s Office for any VA-related benefits for your program abroad. If you are participating in a faculty-led program, there is generally no change in your benefits. However, due to the complexities of Veteran’s Affairs benefits, additional research may need to be done after your initial appointment to clarify the eligibility of using this aid to fund your program abroad.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • I have no idea what I need to do to study abroad! How do I get started?

    You will want to start by reviewing the Study Abroad website and requesting an appointment with a study abroad adviser.

    For financial aid, your first step will be to review the information we have posted online (listed under Step Two of the direction above), depending on which semester you are considering. These videos will provide most of the information related to financial aid eligibility, required paperwork, and other considerations. Current information posted is an excellent guide for future academic years, although it is subject to change. In addition, we can meet with you via drop-in appointments (which you can schedule on CU Navigate) or for further consultation to discuss all your options from a financial standpoint.

  • When do I need to meet with a Financial Aid Study Abroad Counselor?

    After reviewing the information online, you can always meet with a counselor during drop-in hours (which you can find on CU Navigate). Then, we can discuss any question you may have: clarifying information you found on Tiger Training, discussing specific details about which program abroad will be best fiscally for you, etc.

  • How do I make an appointment with a Financial Aid Study Abroad Counselor?

    If you have more questions after reviewing the programs listed in Step Two, please find our appointment opportunities on CU Navigate. If none of the available times work for your schedule, please reach out to us directly.

  • Is it less expensive to study abroad in the summer than in fall/spring?

    Expenses for study abroad programs will vary significantly between programs, locations, and the semester abroad. Generally, summer programs have a lower cost of attendance than traditional fall/spring programs. However, most scholarships, grants, and loans have associated restrictions regarding the number of stipends students are eligible to receive in an academic year. As a result, students generally use up the number of stipends available to them during the fall and spring semesters.

    So, although the cost of attendance may be lower, the out-of-pocket expense may be more significant for summer programs. The financial aid study abroad coordinator can provide students with their best options for funding a summer program.

  • I am already abroad and don’t know what to do about my financial aid. What should I do?

    Please contact our office and review the information that we have posted on Tiger Training immediately. Then, we will work with you to resolve your situation.