If you qualify for financial aid (federal aid, grants, loans, scholarships, etc.) through Rice, your aid is transferable to a Rice-approved study abroad program for either the fall or spring semester, or full academic year (not summer).
If the program’s COA is more than Rice’s COA
You'll be responsible for covering the difference.
If the program’s COA is less than Rice’s COA
The Office of Financial Aid will modify your need-based portion of your financial aid package to reflect your new financial needs.
COA = Cost of Attendance
For those currently receiving aid, the usual procedures for renewal of aid will be in effect. For students who wish to pursue aid, you must complete the financial aid process through the Office of Financial Aid. The Budget Worksheet (as described here) serves as the basis for determining your financial need for the term abroad. Award amounts will be adjusted according to COA at the host university, but only up to the cost of Rice's COA.
Students are not able to participate in federal work study while abroad. Students who participate in federal work study should consult with the Office of Financial Aid to learn what effect this will have.
Disbursement of Financial Aid Funds
All Rice financial aid will be disbursed through the Bursar’s Office. The Bursar’s Office will only disburse funds after the Office of Study Abroad grants approval to participate in a Rice-approved study abroad program for credit. The funds will be directly deposited to an account through the bill payment suite on Esther.
Financial aid will not disburse funds until one week prior to the start of the Rice semester. Remember that you are responsible for paying program fees directly to your provider by the required due date; most programs are flexible if payment deadlines fall before the disbursement date, but you must inform your program provider of your situation and when the funds will be available. Please provide the Office of Financial Aid ample time to complete any forms requested by your study abroad program. Keep in mind there will be fees and costs students will be responsible for prior to the program start date such as deposits and flights.
Summer Study
If you've previously received financial aid at Rice, you can apply for loans to fund summer study abroad experiences through the Office of Financial Aid. Students must be registered for a minimum of 6 credit hours for the summer term. Please keep in mind that funds are extremely limited. Students should consult with the Office of Financial Aid to confirm remaining loan amounts/eligibility. Students may apply for limited summer financial aid by submitting a Summer Financial Aid Request Form to the Office of Financial Aid. The application deadline to be considered for summer financial aid is typically mid-May. To learn more about summer funding, click here.
Funding Opportunities at Rice
Consider looking into the following funding opportunities from other departments at Rice University:
- Rankin Moody Opportunity Fund (MOF)
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Distributed by the Office of Student Success Initiatives, the MOF offers up to $2,500 to financially assist undergraduate students seeking funds for a co-curricular opportunity related to their academic and professional development. Any currently enrolled, domestic, or international undergraduate students can apply and be considered for financial support through the MOF. Click here for more details.
- Rice Access and Opportunity Portal (AOP)
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The Access and Opportunity Portal will consider requests from students experiencing financial challenges and are seeking support to allow them to participate in opportunities related to their academic, professional, social or interpersonal development. Requests for assistance are accepted on a rolling basis. Requests for financial support can be made to your residential college or the Access and Opportunity Portal, depending on the nature and scope of the request. All currently enrolled undergraduate students, domestic and international, who exhibit need are eligible to submit an AOP funding request.
- Fellowships through the CCL
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The Rice Center for Civic Leadership (CCL) offers several fellowship opportunities that Rice undergraduates may pursue prior to senior year. Those pertaining to study abroad include the Abraham-Broad Exchange Program, the Amici Di Via Gabina Traveling Fellowship, the Wagoner Foreign Study Scholarship, and the Kathryn Leebron Smyth Award. See if you would be eligible for any of these opportunities on the CCL website.
- Residential College Funds
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Depending on the nature and scope of the request, students may request financial support to their residential college. Each of the eleven Residential Colleges operate an Accessibility Fund (also known as the Magister Fund) designed to support costs associated with an undergraduate student’s participation in the life of their Residential College as well as at the University. Requests for financial support may include travel costs, so make sure to check what can be covered by your college’s Accessibility Fund.
Please note the difference between the campus-wide AOP funding request and the Residential College Accessibility Fund request.