Financial Aid Information

1. Degree-seeking students at Western Michigan University:
WMU students who normally receive financial aid should visit the WMU Financial Aid Office (387-6000) upon official acceptance to the Prague Summer Program in order to ensure that their financial aid will apply. An estimated budget for the Prague Summer Program 2008 is on file in the financial aid office. You may speak with any advisor in financial aid regarding your financial need and possible assistance. Also, you need to have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file in order to qualify. See instructions at <www.wmich.edu/finaid/1-applications/howtoapply.html>.

2. Non-WMU students:
Usually, only students taking classes for academic credit can qualify for financial aid. If you are not currently enrolled in a degree program at Western Michigan University, you will need to discuss how to apply for financial aid through your home university. If accepted in the program, you will be enrolled in credits for the Prague program under the status of "permission to take classes". This does not qualify you to receive financial aid through WMU. Your FAFSA should go to your home institution. You should contact Study Abroad &/or the Financial Aid office there to see how your financial aid can be used for the Prague Summer Program offered through WMU.

The WMU Prague Summer Program is fully accredited and will accept financial aid from any institution.

OTHER POTENTIAL FUNDING SOURCES

• The most common form of support received by the overwhelming majority of past (currently matriculating) PSP participants is individual travel grants through their home universities. Inquire with your university department to see if such grants exist at your school.
• IREX Short-Term Travel Grants Program - Grants of up to $3,000 for up to two months of travel to Eastern Europe and the NIS.
• The AWP Writers' Conferences & Centers (WC&C) conducts an annual competition to provide scholarships for emerging writers who wish to attend a writers' conference. The scholarships will be applied to fees to attend any of the member conferences of WC&C, an association of outstanding conferences, colonies, and festivals for writers. Deadlines: January 1 and March 30
• State Arts Councils - Many state arts councils across the country offer travel grants for writers to participate in conferences such as PSP. We suggest you contact your state's arts council to see what grants you might be eligible for. Consult the Arts Over America to find the arts organizations serving your region.
• The International Student Loan Program