For JMU Study Abroad programs, a full listing of approved opportunities can be viewed on the Center for Global Engagement’s website.

Financial aid eligibility for qualifying JMU Study Abroad programs is generally determined the same way it is for a student studying on campus at JMU. Courses must be considered Financial Aid Eligible, which means they are hours/credits that are required for your major, and/or fulfill your elective hours to attain a minimum of 120 credit hours.

The Cost of Attendance (COA) is based on the anticipated expenses applicable to the student’s study abroad program, which are provided by the Center for Global Engagement (CGE). Consequently, the student does not need to contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for this to occur. Student's can also view program cost of attandance information using the COA Calulator.

Cost of Attendance Calculator

The Center for Global Engagement (CGE) has scholarship information on their website:

• Scholarships
• Other scholarship sources

The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships encourages students to research scholarship opportunities and apply by the published deadlines, even if your acceptance into a program has not been confirmed yet. These deadlines are well in advance of the study abroad program dates, so please be mindful of this when considering a study abroad program.

We encourage students to also check the Madison Scholarships Hub and check with the department of their major to research other possible scholarship opportunities. A full listing of scholarships that are awarded through the Madison Scholarships Hub can be found here. The full list can be filtered by searching for key words (i.e. study abroad). Please be aware any scholarships with Center for Global Engagement are not applied through the Madison Scholarships Hub (they are applied for on the CGE website).

If a student is currently receiving a JMU scholarship, please contact FinAid-Grants@jmu.edu to determine if the scholarship is applicable to study abroad programs.

Federal financial aid funds are available to students who filed a FAFSA and include JMU as their school on the FAFSA. If the student is attending an exchange or external study abroad program, all other requirements listed in the applicable section above must also be completed.

The increased costs associated with a study abroad program will increase the student’s total cost of attendance used to determine aid eligibility. This will likely generate additional PLUS Loan eligibility (subject to new regulations effective July 1, 2026 – view more information here: Parent PLUS Loan Updates - JMU). Federal and state grants are not increased based on participation in a study abroad program. Federal student loan limits still apply. Private student loans may be used to supplement.

• The initial financial aid package will not include the increased costs of studying abroad; therefore, the first financial aid offer received will not accurately reflect the total funds the student will be entitled to.

• • If the student is eligible for additional Parent PLUS Loan funding, the student will receive a second award notification once we increase the budget with the costs associated with a study abroad program and adjust the aid accordingly. Otherwise, the student can research private student loan options if needed.

For students interested in private student loans, additional information may be reviewed here. A FAFSA is not required for a private student loan. JMU's school code is 00372100.