For your convenience we prepared a list of commonly asked questions regarding financial aid and study abroad.
If you do not find the answers here, please contact a KEI advisor, and we will be glad to assist you.
What law governs federal financial aid for study abroad? The U.S. Higher Education Reauthorization Act of 1992 includes provisions to facilitate the use of financial aid for study abroad. The law states that for each aid program, eligible students may receive aid when participating in approved study abroad programs, assuming the student remains enrolled at the home institution during the program. An approved program is one approved for credit transfer by the student's home institution. Federal aid cannot be denied to eligible students (those who meet the qualifications for receiving aid) participating in approved study abroad programs. Federal aid programs that students may use include the Pell Grant, Perkins Loan and Family Loans (Unsubsidized Stafford, Subsidized Stafford and PLUS). How can I use federal financial aid to pay the KEI program fee?
Federal, state, institutional and some private aid is processed through the Financial Aid office at your home institution.
To ensure the transferability of aid to a KEI program, you should:
Speak with a KEI advisor about your financial aid options. We will outline the steps you must take to ensure transferability of credit and financial aid.
Visit the Financial Aid Office at your home institution to determine the type of aid that can be used off campus, the maximum amount of aid available for each term of study, aid application deadlines, and procedures for applying for different sources of financial aid.
Visit the Academic or Study Abroad Advisor at your home institution to obtain credit transfer approval for the KEI program. Credit approval is mandatory before federal aid can be applied to a KEI program.
Obtain a Consortium or Contractual Agreement from your home institution. KEI will complete the Consortium and return it to your home institution. This document allows for transferability of financial aid for study abroad.
What is a Title IV Code and where can I find it?
Higher education institutions accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the Department of Education receive a Title IV code to process federal financial aid.
Use your home institution's Title IV code when completing the FAFSA. KEI is not a Title IV institution since we do not offer degree programs. The host institution abroad, even if accredited in the USA, will not be able to process your federal financial aid since you are not a degree-seeking student at the host institution. What is a Consortium?
A Consortium (sometimes call a Contractual Agreement) is an agreement between the student’s home institution, KEI and the student that makes it possible to process federal aid for study abroad.
Most, but not all, institutions require this document.
Some institutions may prefer to enter into a Consortium with KEI's university of record.
Just let us know and we will make the necessary arrangements.
KEI provides a sample Consortium for institutions not familiar with this process; however, most institutions have their own.
What if my Financial Aid does not cover all my program expenses?
Federal law states that financial aid can cover all "reasonable" costs for a study abroad program, including tuition, travel, books, meals and other related costs.
KEI will provide you with a Budget for Financial Aid Recipients, which will include an estimate for total program expenses, both those included in the program fee and those not included.
Meet with your Financial Aid Advisor to determine if you are eligible for additional aid.
You can also look into private financial aid.
What if my federal aid award is disbursed after the program's registration deadline?
You can defer partial payment (the amount of your financial aid award) and still attend a KEI program.
You will need to have the following documents completed and signed before the program registration deadline:
Financial Aid Disbursement Form
Financial Aid Deferment Agreement
Financial Information Form
Refer to KEI Policies for detailed information about payment and deferments.
What if my home institution has a Direct Billing policy?
Some institutions prefer to pay study abroad program fees on behalf of their students.
In such cases, you will pay your home institution's regular tuition and applicable fees. KEI will invoice your home institution directly.
Students who attend institutions with a direct billing policy may benefit form KEI's Comprehensive PLUS Fee option, which includes all services and items in the regular Comprehensive Program Fee plus airfare and meal allowance.
Your KEI advisor will help you determine whether your school uses a direct billing policy
What if I am not eligible for Federal Financial Aid?
Students not eligible for federal financial aid may still qualify for private scholarships, grants and loans.
This aid does not require school certification, the student simply needs to verify enrollment by providing a letter from KEI, home institution or host institution.
There are usually no costs to apply.
I am interested in a KEI-sponsored degree program. Can I apply for financial aid? Students participating in KEI-sponsored degree programs in Kenya (U.S. International University) are eligible for federal forms of financial aid. The financial aid documents are processed by the host university. Students participating on KEI-sponsored degree programs at all other locations are not eligible for federal-based aid from the host university, but may qualify for private student loans.
