how to add a college to fafsa

US students: How to use FAFSA for a degree in Europe

Author: — Last update: 16 December 2019

If you are a US student, you may be eligible for financial support through the FAFSA programme, making it substantially easier to finance your studies abroad. Learn all about how it works:

What is FAFSA?

FAFSA ("Free Application for Federal Student Aid") is the Federal Student Aid process run by the US Department of Education. Every academic year, thousands upon thousands of US students and US permanent residents complete FAFSA forms to see if they are eligible for grants (meaning, free money) and/or loans (which you must pay back) for higher education options.

Can I use FAFSA to get a degree abroad?

Yes, you can use FAFSA to get a degree abroad! Around 750 institutions abroad, and of those around 600 in Europe, are approved by the US Department of Education to use FAFSA loans abroad or to defer other study loan payments.

Which universities abroad are eligible for FAFSA?

Whether or not foreign universities are accepted for FAFSA is decided by the US Department of Education. The official list of recognised international schools is updated every quarter:

Check out the full list of FAFSA-eligible universities in Europe

Do FAFSA grants and loans work abroad?

There are a lot of different types of financial aid, some of which will work abroad and some not. Grants (i.e. Pell grants) are not eligible abroad, however, nearly 600 institutions in Europe are approved for US students to use their FAFSA loan awards to pay for the degree abroad, or at least to defer study loan payments.

Loans can be federal (either subsidized or unsubsidized) or private. Federal loans generally have a more favorable interest rate than private loans.

Federal loans: Subsidized federal student loans are loans in which the U.S. government pays the interest on the loan while you are studying at a university, whereas an unsubsidized student loan's interest is always your responsibility even while attending university. To qualify for a subsidized federal loan, you must demonstrate financial need, while unsubsidized federal loans do not require demonstration of financial need. Direct Plus Loans are federal loans that graduate students or parents of dependent undergraduate students can use to help pay for university.

Private Loans: In contrast, private loans usually have higher interest rates and may be more expensive to pay back, so where possible try to use federal loans. As a best practice for any loan you agree to take, always inquire regarding the interest rate and terms of repayment, so there are no surprises later.

Can I defer loan payments while getting a Master's degree abroad?

If your university abroad is FAFSA eligible or if it appears on the "deferment only" category, you should be able to defer most student loan payments while you work on a graduate degree, assuming you follow all guidelines.

However, check in advance with your loan servicer to confirm. Also, inquire if you are required to pay any interest during the time of deferment/forbearance, as each type of loan has a different repayment policy.

Which are the best FAFSA-eligible universities in Europe?

Europe is home to some of the world's leading universities, and many of them are eligible for FAFSA. To find the best institutions, have a look at the Times Higher Education rankings (THE), the QS rankings, or the US News Best Global Universities.

A good rule of thumb (if rankings are important to you) is that your university should appear in the top 750 overall and/or within the top ranking within your academic field.

Here is a smattering of the top universities in Europe, along with their FAFSA status (approved for loans, or approved only for loan deferment):

France: Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (deferment only)
Germany: LMU Munich (deferment only), Heidelberg University (deferment only)
Ireland: Trinity College Dublin (loan), University College Dublin (loan)
Netherlands: University of Amsterdam (loan)
Sweden: Uppsala University (loan), Lund University (loan)
United Kingdom: University of Oxford (loan), University of Edinburgh (loan), LSE (loan)

Are there alternatives to FAFSA to get a degree abroad?

FAFSA is not your only option to finance your studies abroad. If you aren't eligible, or if the university you plan to apply to is not recognised for FAFSA aid, there are other creative ways to fund your plans to attend university in Europe:

Scholarships: Many universities abroad (e.g. in the UK, Netherlands, etc.) offer some scholarship funds for international students. Additionally, some foreign governments encourage studying in their country using scholarships. Inquire directly with the foreign university you are interested in to see what scholarship funds exist for international students.
Private lenders: Some universities abroad have partnerships with private lenders. Ask your abroad university at application time regarding any private loan options for US students that they may offer. Always make sure that you understand the interest rate and terms of repayment.
VA Benefits: Many universities abroad are approved for eligible students to use benefits granted by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (Chapter 33, etc.) for their tuition and living expenses. Search the VA database to see if your desired university abroad is on the approved list.
Work while you study: Some countries allow you to work abroad while you are studying. In countries like Germany or France, it is not uncommon that students can legally work up to 20 hours per week. You still will need to secure a job, but your visa status authorizes you to do so legally.

Maybe you don't need FAFSA to afford studying abroad

Getting a grant or loan is a great way to finance your studies in another country. But attending university in another country does not actually have to be more expensive than in the US.

In fact, many countries offer high-quality education at significantly cheaper tuition fees than American universities, and at low to modest cost of living. Even if you don't receive financial aid, your total expense might end up to be much lower overall. Also, consider that many undergraduate programs can be completed in three years, and many Masters in just one year, meaning additional savings for students seeking affordable options.

Here is an overview of very affordable destinations for US students, with typical tuition fees at public universities:

Country	Typical tuition fees per year	Typical cost of living per year
Austria	$2,000	$12,000
France	$4,000	$12,000 to $18,000
Germany	$600	$12,000
Hungary	$4,000 to $8,000	$8,000
Iceland	$600	$20,000
Norway	$0 (tuition-free)	$18,000

How can I apply for FAFSA when I want to get a degree abroad?

Applying for FAFSA can seem complicated, especially when planning to enrol at a foreign university. The following steps will make it much easier:

Research universities abroad to see which has the best program(s) for you. The search function on Study.eu is a good start!
Double check to see if your desired university abroad is approved for FAFSA: Full list of FAFSA-eligible universities in Europe
If the university is not recognised for FAFSA, ask them directly if they offer private loans for international students. Be sure to inquire about interest rates and terms.
Inquire with the university abroad regarding any scholarships for international students (either through the university or the foreign government).
Estimate your FAFSA aid by using the official forecaster tool or just jump to the next step.
If your university accepts FAFSA and if you are eligible, complete the form for the proper academic year. Be sure to include the university abroad that you would like to use the loan for. You (as a future graduate student) or your parent (for a future undergrad student) may also be able to borrow using Direct Plus Federal Loans.
Meet all application deadlines for your desired universities abroad.
Once you have been accepted to the university abroad of choice, be sure to stay on top of all other components: immigration paperwork, health insurance abroad, flight, housing abroad, etc. There are a lot of moving parts with some rigid deadlines, so bring your A-game.
Know who the FAFSA-designated officer is at the university abroad. This person is responsible for your disbursement payments from the US Treasury to cover the cost of tuition. If there are remaining funds, the designated officer at your abroad university may choose to deposit the funds into your student account or return the remaining balance back to you directly.
Learn, grow, graduate.

There are a lot of steps to receive FAFSA support for a degree abroad! What if I need help?

All these steps can feel overwhelming, so ask friends or family who have done this before. Or, you can seek out organizations set up to help US students navigate the steps to get a degree abroad.

15441 Programmes in Europe

Denise Cope

Denise Cope has 20+ years of experience in international education. She is the President of Affordable Degrees Abroad, a service for US students seeking education overseas. Before that, she was the Director of the Office of International Education at the University of Denver, where she was responsible for sending more than 4,000 students to study abroad.