SECTIONS
OGEP Study Abroad Application
Applying Financial Aid to Study Abroad
The Global Thorobred Award
Medical Insurance
International Student ID Card
OGEP STUDY ABROAD APPLICATION PACKET
Completion of the KSU Study Abroad Application Packet is required for all KSU students studying abroad. We realize that there may be duplication required, especially if you are studying through another organization. However, please bear with us and know that this is being done to guarantee that your experience abroad is safe, productive, and will count for academic credit.
See also full step-by-step procedures in the right column of this web page.
APPLYING FINANCIAL AID TO STUDY ABROAD
Students can, in most cases, use their financial aid (including federal aid, such as Pell Grants and loans) to study abroad. Students applying for such aid will follow the Financial Aid Office's normal procedures, but some of the OGEP forms will be needed to ensure that you are able to use those funds for studying abroad (see below). It is also important to note that financial aid is not released before studying abroad, so the student may need to work with OGEP to "front" you the funds if you or your family cannot find the funds. In such cases, a promisory note between you and OGEP may need to be completed.
Regular Semester Financial Aid
Student wishing to study abroad for a full semester or year will go through the regular financial aid process (a FAFSA form is used). A full semester before studying abroad the student and OGEP should begin working on the necessary paperwork (see step-by-step procedures link in the right column of this web page).
Summer Financial Aid
Students seeking financial aid for the purpose of studying abroad in the Summer months should complete the Summer Financial Aid Application to determine how much financial aid eligibilty remains in his/her account.
See also full step-by-step procedures in the right column of this web page.
THE GLOBAL THOROBRED AWARD
If your financial aid does not cover the costs of your study abroad program*, KSU has a limited fund to assist you. Known as the Global Thorobred Award, recipients are chosen based on a combination of need and merit. Applications are reviewed by an award committee.
As part of the application you will have to do each of the following:
Note: You CAN apply for both the Gilman and the GTA -but you must wait for the results of the Gilman before applying for the GTA.
- Complete the Global Thorobred Award application. Applications for the Global Thorobred Award (GTA) can be found here. The GTA includes:
- Two essays - a statements of purpose (500 words) and a statement of need (100 words). Tell us why you want to study abroad, why you chose the program you did, what you will do with your international experience after you return, and why you need the assistance.
- A detailed budget*
- A recommendation from a faculty member.
- A copy of your "Student Aid Report" that is generated from your FAFSA information. If you have already done a FAFSA you should be able to go online and access your existing FAFSA Student Aid Report.
Submit a typed, hard copy of all of the above components together to OGEP in ASB Suite #303. Do not submit sections individually.
Application Deadlines:
Applications are received on a variable schedule. Visit OGEP for more details.
* OGEP and the scholarship committee must know what financial aid students are eligible for, and whether or not Gilman Awards have been received, before Global Thorobred Awards can be distributed. For this reason, as part of the GTA application process, students must work with the Office of Financial Aid to determine what aid is available.
See also full step-by-step procedures in the right column of this web page.
MEDICAL INSURANCE
Whether you are applying to an outside program, or studying on a KSU program, all students must have insurance that is valid while traveling in a foreign country.
Even though students who have purchased the KSU student health plan are covered while traveling abroad, additional insurance is almost always required. Students with KSU coverage should go to the UnitedHealthcare's Global Emergency Service's "Scholastic Emergency Services" program web page (uploaded February 2011) and download and print the document, which includes an important information you should carry with you at all times while abroad.
Students traveling on an outside program can expect to be required to purchase additional different insurance. For more information, IIE (a highly respected non-profit organization dedicated to international education) has a web page that discusses international insurance while studying abroad.
Students traveling on KSU programs (programs organized and led by KSU faculty and staff) must also purchase additional insurance. The following are well-known and reputable options:
CMI Insurance Worldwide - Medex Global Solutions
HTH Worldwide
Travel Guard
International Student ID Card
Many students are asked to carry an international student identity card. It's a good thing to have, and provides some insurance coverage, but it is not a replacement for comprehensive medical insurance. It is not required by OGEP.
International Student Identity Card (ISIC)