Franklin & Marshall College

Need-based financial aid from the College is generally available to students for approved off-campus study programs. The amount and type of financial aid may vary depending upon program costs and individual family financial circumstances. In general, eligibility for financial aid is based upon F&M's tuition, actual room and board charges of the off-campus institution, an allowance for books and personal expenses, and your estimated family contribution which is calculated using a federally mandated formula.

As you consider off-campus study, please review the following guidelines:

• Students who receive either College or Federal need-based funds must submit an Off-Campus Study Expense Planner to the Office of Student Aid by April 15, for fall and full-year programs and by November 30, for spring programs. When completing your expense planner, include an email address for the contact person at your host institution.  You will need to complete the student's section of an OCS (Off-Campus Study) agreement which will be forwarded to the host institution for completion.

• Your financial aid will be adjusted by the difference of F&M's room and board costs vs. the off-campus program's room and board costs.  Any need-based work award for the semester(s) in which you are abroad may be replaced with private student loans or a parent PLUS loan.  For students with need-based financial aid, you should expect that you will have increased out-of-pocket expenses for studying abroad insofar as your airfare is greater than the allowance against tuition and your books and personal expenses are greater than the standard allowance of $600 per semester.

• Most off-campus study programs require a matriculation deposit. In the case of high financial need or extreme financial hardship, the Office of Financial Aid will write to the host institution requesting either a reduced deposit or a deferral of the deposit to your bill with the host institution or program.

• International students attending Franklin & Marshall are eligible to participate in approved study abroad programs and affiliated American programs. They may only use one semester of financial aid from the College, however, to support the cost of their study. An exception to this one-semester-of-aid policy is made for international students participating in one of the College's study abroad exchange programs.

If you have any questions regarding aid for off-campus study, please stop by the Office of Financial Aid, 617 College Avenue, or call 291-3991. The office is open Monday-Friday from 8:30 to 4:30. Our fax number is (717) 399-4462.

International Students should contact the Director or Senior Associate Director of Financial Aid for special guidelines governing the availability of College assistance for off-campus study.