Passport Grant

No matter the destination, a passport is required for any international travel. Pell Grant recipients applying to an education abroad program can be considered for a grant that provides funds to cover costs of obtaining a passport. The Passport Grant is available for Pell recipients who have either never had a passport or would need to renew theirs to participate in their intended program. See below for details. 

Who is eligible?

In order to be eligible to be considered for a Passport Grant, the student must: 

• have a current Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with Student Financial Services (SFS). 
• be a current recipient of a Federal Pell Grant at the time of application. 
• not be in possession of a passport valid for their intended program’s travel dates (valid for at least 6 months – in some cases, one year – after the end date of the intended program). 
• be eligible for a U.S. passport. 
• be an undergraduate UVA student applying to an education abroad program with an application fee requirement. 

Expectations for use: 

• A maximum of one grant will be issued per student while enrolled at the University of Virginia. 
• Recipients are expected to use the funds for securing a passport, on their honor. 
• Recipients need to have Direct Deposit set up with Student Financial Services to receive funds promptly. 

How does it work?

1. Choose an education abroad program (see our Program Search and Choose a Program pages). 
2. Open an application and click the $90 Application Fee requirement to access the DocuSign link to the Study Abroad Application Fee Waiver and Passport Grant form. This form has two parts: the application fee waiver (for all Pell Grant recipients) and the Passport Grant (for Pell Grant recipients who need a passport). 
   • If you don’t have a passport, indicate this on the form. 
   • If you have a passport, provide the expiration date. (See note above under “Who is eligible?”) 
   • If you need a passport, make sure you have Direct Deposit set up with SFS, and indicate this on the form. 
3. Complete and submit your portion of the waiver form. 
4. If you are eligible for the application fee waiver, the $90 Application Fee requirement will be marked as complete. This can take up to two business days. 
5. If you are awarded a Passport Grant, SFS will be notified and they will issue the funds. Once all requirements on the form are complete and submitted, this can take an additional, estimated 7-10 business days for funds to reach a student’s bank account. 
6. You’ll apply for your passport as usual. (You may need to apply for a passport using the expedited processing and shipping options. If a visa is required for your destination, there may not be enough time to obtain a passport even with expedited processing; talk to your Education Abroad Advisor if you have questions.) 

What's included?

• Application Fee 
• Execution (Acceptance) Fee 
• Funds for photos (which you may need to obtain before your appointment; not all acceptance facilities take passport photos) 
• Temporarily: also included are the Expedited Service fee and 1-2 Day Delivery fee 

Pre-Travel Advance

Airfare, visas, and immunizations are just some of the expenses that you may have to pay for before a study abroad program begins. Depending on disbursement timing for financial aid and scholarships, you may also need to have funds available sooner for in-country expenses like meals and personal expenses, especially in the first few weeks of a program.

For students waiting for financial aid to disburse, or for whom providing the funds upfront is otherwise a hardship, the Pre-Travel Advance is available as a resource. Talk to your Education Abroad Advisor about this option to secure a loan of up to $2,500 at the time that you need it as you prepare to travel, and see below for details. As with any other financial decision, talk with your parents, guardians, or whoever you discuss financial decisions with, before requesting an Advance. 

Who is eligible?

In order to be eligible for a Pre-Travel Advance, the student must: 

• Be accepted/approved to participate in an education abroad program 
• Intend to participate in their selected program 

 

Demonstrated financial need is not a requirement for the Pre-Travel Advance. 

How does it work?

1. Set up an appointment to meet with your Education Abroad Advisor. 
2. Before you attend, research your program costs and have an idea of the types of expenses you’ll need help covering prior to travel (see the program brochure for the budget sheet for most UVA programs, and for guidance on where to find costs for exchange programs). 
3. During the appointment, your Advisor will start the Pre-Travel Advance form (in DocuSign) and you’ll discuss the types of costs you may incur for your program/location, and where to look for cost amounts. 
4. Your Advisor will send the form to you, after which point you will have one week (7 days) to input the dollar amount you are requesting. (The form expires after 7 days, but a new one can be opened later if that happens.) 
5. Once you submit your portion of the form, Student Financial Services will review and initiate the Advance.  
6. Funds should be received within 11-16 business days after SFS receives the completed form. Make sure you have Direct Deposit set up, if possible! 
7. Repayment of the Advance will be due by the date indicated on the form. For students receiving financial aid to fully cover the Advance total, funds will be repaid from the aid amount when disbursed. Other students will need to log into their SIS account to repay the Advance amount by the due date.