Study Elsewhere

When considering a study elsewhere program, you should consult with your aid counselor in order to discuss the impact to your aid award. Tufts aid is available only for Tufts programs abroad.

If you have received a federal Perkins or Direct loan in the past, but will not apply for a loan for your non-Tufts study elsewhere program, you must still submit a Consortium Agreement in order to continue to defer your loans. This will allow you to retain your full grace period, and avoid your going into repayment while you are abroad.

Click here, Consortium Agreement, to download the form.

If you are an aid recipient and plan to attend a Tufts Study Abroad program and pay tuition directly to Tufts, you remain eligible to receive all aid as awarded. You must, however, arrange for the transfer of any excess funds on your account. This is done by submitting a Refund Request.

If you are an aid recipient and attend a study elsewhere program not through Tufts (including C.I.E.E.) whose courses will apply towards the Tufts degree, you retain eligibility from your aid award ONLY for the following: Federal Pell Grant, $100 in Federal SEOG per semester, state scholarship, and Federal Direct Loan funding. Tufts aid (including National Merit) will not be awarded for non-Tufts programs. In order for us to determine exact aid eligibility, and disburse your funds, you must submit (in addition to a completed aid application) the required Consortium Agreement, completed by you and the non-Tufts program, which will allow for the release of federal funds. All federal and state funds must be administered by Tufts. Students may apply for private funding through their non-Tufts program, but must notify the Tufts aid office if they receive such funding.

If you will attend a non-Tufts program you must also arrange for the transfer of funds. This is accomplished by providing information on the first page of the Consortium Agreement. Your instructions there with regard to the transfer of your funds will be followed. Funds can be sent to your program, your parents, yourself, or some to each. The choice is yours alone. No funds, however, will be transferred until they are received at Tufts (i.e. Federal Pell grant processed, State grant received from the State, etc.)

You should not assume that all funds will be available when your bill from the other institution is due. You may contact your aid counselor for guidance with billing issues.

If you are a Pell recipient and will study abroad you may want to look into scholarships from this organization:   Gilman International Scholarship Program

A Consortium Agreement is required even if there is only a Federal PLUS loan, or other alternative loan, involved. The completed Consortium Agreement must be received before any funds can be released.

NOTE: If you attend one program in the Fall, and another program in the Spring, a Consortium Agreement is required for EACH one.  If you attend one program for the full year the Consortium Agreement will be sufficient for the Fall refund, but a Refund Request must be submitted for the Spring semester.

While abroad, if you experience difficulties with your federal loans, you may contact your aid counselor via the Student Services staff at (617) 627-2000, fax at (617) 627-3987, or email at StudentServices@ase.tufts.edu.