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Office of Financial Aid
University of Mississippi

Study Abroad and Consortium Study

The University of Mississippi offers many opportunities for students to participate in programs off campus. These include study abroad as well as special workshops, camps and other experiences not offered on our schedule. Some of these programs are administered directly by the University of Mississippi and earn University of Mississippi credits. Others are administered by a “host” institution and credits earned in the programs appear on a student’s transcript as transfer hours. These latter programs require a Consortium Agreement between the University of Mississippi and the “host” institution.

A student may use federal student financial aid to help defray the expenses of off-campus programs. Please remember that summer terms are the last terms in the academic year. This means that financial aid for summer will be packaged according to students’ remaining eligibility for the current academic year.

Study Abroad

Students enrolled in a program of study abroad approved for credit by the University of Mississippi may be considered enrolled at the University of Mississippi for the purpose of receiving Federal Student Aid such as Federal Pell Grant, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, SEOG, TEACH, Work-Study, Direct Loans, and PLUS loans.

The Office of Financial Aid works closely with the Study Abroad Office to ensure that our students receive the financial aid they are qualified for while attending their student abroad program.

Students wishing to enroll in a University of Mississippi Study Abroad Program must apply with the Study Abroad Office and meet with the Office of Financial Aid to determine the process and availability of Federal, State, and Institutional aid.

The Office of Financial Aid will update the student’s cost of attendance for the term abroad and will determine when a student’s aid can be disbursed.  Aid can only disburse 5 days prior to the actual start date of the study abroad program. Advisors will discuss budgeting issues and encourage students to work with the Study Abroad Office to know what their charges and expenses will be while studying abroad.

If a student is planning on receiving any federal Title IV (Pell Grant, Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant, SEOG, TEACH, Work-Study, Direct Loans, and PLUS loans) during their term abroad, they will need to complete the Study  Abroad Financial Aid Agreement, which is part of the Study Abroad application.

All UM Study Abroad classes will be given incomplete grades once the UM term is over as we wait for the final grades.  If the grades are not transferred from the foreign institution in a timely manner, the incomplete grade will be turned into an F grade, which can affect future aid eligibility.

All Students:

The Office of Financial Aid encourages all students to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in order to determine Federal Financial Aid eligibility.

If attending a summer Study Abroad Program, students must complete the Summer Financial Aid Application online through MyOleMiss. Indicate on the application that you will be attending a study abroad program. Please specify the program name and country where you will be participating.

Students must make sure they have been properly registered for their courses abroad.  The Office of Financial Aid will hold a student’s aid disbursement until we receive confirmation of enrollment in the approved courses.

In order to receive most forms of Federal student aid for any term, students must enroll at least half-time. Half-time enrollment is 5 hours for graduate or law students or 6 hours for undergraduate or pharmacy students.

Students must be able to cover advance expenses (air fare, deposits, etc.) on their own. Loan funds will not be available to pay charges that are due in advance of the program.

The best method for delivery of funds is to request that aid balances be direct deposited to your checking account. If you wish to exercise this option, please complete the Direct Deposit form online through myolemiss.  Do not write checks against anticipated deposits until you are certain that the funds have reached your checking account.

Keep in mind that if you owe the Bursar any money, that amount will be paid out of your funds and you will receive only the difference between your current disbursement and your accounts receivable balance.

For Programs Offered Through Other Institutions

Students participating in programs that require a consortium agreement are not eligible for State Aid (MTAG, MESG, William Winter, etc.) nor are they eligible for Institutional or Foundation Scholarships (Academic Excellence, Lucky Day, Non-Resident Alumni, etc.). The only types of aid eligibility with a consortium agreement are: Federal Pell Grant, FSEOG, Federal Direct Loans, Federal PLUS loans or private (alternative) loans.

Students whose programs are administered by another institution must complete a Consortium Contract with the host institution. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid to initiate this agreement at least six weeks prior to the beginning of the program.

Allow sufficient time for you and the Office of Financial Aid to complete the following steps:

  • Student must submit a completed Transfer Credit Course Approval Form to the Study Abroad Office for “out of country” programs or Permission to Transfer Form for “American Universities” to your department or dean confirming that the credits earned in the program will transfer back and be counted toward your degree requirements.
  • Complete Direct Deposit Form with the Office of the Bursar.
  • Student must plan to be billed by the other institution and not the University of Mississippi. The University of Mississippi will send financial aid proceeds to you and you must arrange to handle your bill directly with the other institution.

Enrollment and Grade Monitoring:

The Office of Financial Aid will take responsibility for calculating awards, disbursing aid, monitoring satisfactory progress and other student eligibility requirements, keeping records, disbursing FSA funds and returning funds if the student withdraws from the program.

The Study Abroad Office or the Host Institution will update the Office of Financial Aid as students are added or withdrawn from their programs.

The Office of Financial Aid will verify all participants received grades and completed their coursework while abroad at the end of each term.  If a student did not complete their coursework, then the Office of Financial Aid will process a Return of Title IV calculation to determine if any Federal Aid must be returned.  Any institutional and state aid will be reviewed based on their individual policies.

A Return of Title IV Calculation will be completed for any student that withdraws from a program after the program has started to determine if any Federal Aid must be returned.

Students must enroll in all approved courses and must be enrolled at least half time to maintain their Federal Financial Aid.