Summer study abroad programs may be eligible for financial aid, but additional requirements and deadlines apply. Students interested in receiving aid should review the information below to understand application requirements, eligibility criteria, and important billing and disbursement details.
Summer Financial Aid Eligibility
- A minimum of six Financial Aid Eligible Hours must be taken over the summer term to be offered federal loans (Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and/or Parent PLUS Direct Loans).
- Keep in mind that anything borrowed in the Subsidized and/or Unsubsidized Direct Loan for Summer 2027 will reduce what can be borrowed for Fall 2027 and Spring 2028. There is a cap to the amount students can borrow in those loans each academic year.
- In some cases, students who receive the Pell Grant in Fall and Spring terms may be eligible to receive Pell Grant funds in the Summer for enrollment of at least one FA Eligible hour.
Disbursement of Funds
Summer aid funds will not be available until after you start your classes depending on the type of program you are attending.
JMU Short Term Programs
Your JMU bill will include tuition and fees, along with the program fee associated with your study abroad program. Any accepted anticipated aid will be used to pay towards these charges. Any charges/expenses outside of these items will need to be paid upfront, and your financial aid refund can be used as a reimbursement for these upfront costs.
External Study Abroad Programs
Payment will not be sent from JMU to the student’s host institution. There are several items that must be completed to receive financial aid. Once these items are completed, the financial aid funds will be disbursed and refunded to the student and/or the student’s parents after they have started classes at the host institution. These funds can be used to pay any charges with the host institution.
Necessary Forms for all Summer Programs
In order for funds to disburse, the following items must be completed and received by JMU:
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- This is only necessary if you are planning to use any finanical aid to pay for your program.
- For summer 2027, the 27-28 FAFSA must be completed at studentaid.gov. This is available beginning October 1, 2026.
Summer Financial Aid Application must be submitted to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
- This form will be available here when summer registration begins.
Additional Forms for Exchange and External Summer Programs
In order for funds to disburse, the following items must be completed and received by JMU:
Transfer Credit Approval form
- Must contain all necessary signatures.
- The form can be found on the Office of Registrar’s website here.
Consortium Agreement Form
- A consortium agreement is an official contract between James Madison University and another institution.
- Assuming a student meets all other general eligibility requirements to receive financial aid, the agreement allows JMU to provide financial aid while the student studies at an institution other than JMU.
- The Center for Global Engagement (CGE) will provide this form to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships once all signatures are received. The host institution will also provide the Cost of Attendance for the program. You may be contacted for clarification regarding your charges/expenses.
Enrollment Verification form
- This form is sent to the student by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships approximately a month before the semester abroad begins.
- This form must be completed with a program representative at the student’s host institution AFTER the student begins the courses.
- Completed forms must be sent to the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (contact information on the bottom of the form) by the host institution.
- The courses listed on the Enrollment Verification form must match the Transfer Credit Approval form and contain at least 12 approved credits for the fall/spring semesters or 6 approved credits for the summer semester.
Mismatches between the Enrollment Verification form and the Transfer Credit Approval form will cause delays in aid disbursing.
Required items will be added to a student's To-Do list in MyMadison as a reminder.
Important Note
An official transcript must be sent to JMU from the student’s host institution after their courses are completed. If an official transcript is not received or if courses are not transferred back, the student’s aid will be cancelled, and a balance may be due on your JMU account.
Hours taken as part of the summer study abroad program will be factored into the quantitative (pace and max time) Satisfactory Academic Progress review at JMU.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Hours of Operation:
Mon - Fri 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Summer Hours of Operation:
Mon - Thur 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Fri 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Mon - Fri 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Summer Hours of Operation:
Mon - Thur 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Fri 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
