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Pre-Departure Financial Support

Financial aid is typically available at the beginning of your study abroad term, but some costs related to study abroad can occur much earlier. Covering these up-front costs can present budgeting challenges, especially if you depend on financial aid to help with your expenses. In an effort to minimize the stress of pre-departure expenses, the Undergraduate Financial Aid and Global Learning Offices are pleased to offer the Bridge Builder program for students with high financial need.

Bridge Builder is designed to assist students who might not have funds immediately available to cover many up-front study abroad costs before financial aid is available. Bridge Builder assistance is not in addition to your financial aid, but provides a way to use the aid you will already receive to either cover your pre-departure expenses when they occur or defer those costs to later.

Eligibility

• You are enrolled as a degree-seeking undergraduate at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ (not including SPS).
• You have been approved for and accepted to a Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ program, Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ exchange program, or affiliated program.
• You have a family contribution of $10,000 or less for the current academic year and receive need-based financial aid from Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ.

Restrictions

• You may only apply to Bridge Builder for one program per term (e.g., one fall quarter program). You cannot be granted flight-booking or scholarship support for two different programs during the same academic term.
• Eligible expense types vary by program and term. Some eligible pre-departure expenses may require documentation.
• Bridge Builder is not available for unaffiliated programs.
• If you will attend a program that arranges international travel for all participants, you are not eligible to book your flight through Bridge Builder, regardless of whether you are required or plan to participate on your program's flight. This currently includes the following programs:
  • Carleton Buddhist Studies in India
  • Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ GESI programs (all locations)
  • Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ Semester in Qatar
• Flight and fare are subject to University travel policy/restrictions and approval.

Application Instructions

• . Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until the submission deadlines below.
• OPTIONAL: to discuss your study abroad aid, budgeting, and pre-departure costs.
• If interested in flight-booking assistance, please do not purchase your own flight. GLO will assist with your flight booking after your Bridge Builder application has been approved. Please pay attention to the deadlines below.