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McGill.CA / Scholarships and Student Aid / Government aid / US student aid / Regulations for US loan recipients

Study Abroad and Exchange

Study Abroad students

Students participating in a Study Abroad Program are NOT eligible to receive subsidized/unsubsidized/PLUS or alternative loans through McGill. You will be paying your tuition fees to the other school (abroad). You must therefore make arrangements with that school (not McGill) for financial aid. Please note: McGill does NOT participate in consortium agreements.

Exchange students

US students studying on anÌýofficial McGill exchangeÌýare considered to be McGill students for subsidized/unsubsidized/PLUS and alternative loans. This means that:

  • you pay tuition and fees to McGill
  • you apply for US loans following McGill procedures

The U.S. Dept. of Education published final regulations which took effect July 1, 2021, which allow US students registered at a Title IV foreign school to access US Direct Loans while attending US eligible colleges and universities as well as foreign institutions that do not participate in the US Direct Loan program, for up to 25% of their program of study. All other eligibility requirements must be met.

25% of program of study at a non-Title IV foreign* school or eligible US institution

Undergraduate
  • 25% of program length, based on credits
  • Applies to exchanges and internships**
  • Not eligible if on Term Away

Master’s – Non-Thesis
  • 25% of program length, based on credits
  • Applies to internships**

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Master’s - Thesis
  • 25% of official program length, based on published program length, in years

PhD
  • Independent research done by an individual student in the U.S. for not more than one academic year is permitted, if conducted during the dissertation phase of a doctoral program under faculty guidance and the research is performed only in a U.S. facility.
  • May not stack the 25 percent allowance and one academic year allowed for dissertation research; doctoral students taking advantage of both provisions are limited to one year of study/research in the U. S.

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  • * Definition of ‘‘foreign institution’’ in 34 CFR § 600.52
  • ** Internships in the United States don’t have to be at a campus, they can also be with a company, non-profit or other organization, as long as they are approved by the student’s home institution. However, the internship or externship portion of a program must meet standards of an accrediting agency or the standards of an outside oversight entity.

If you are not eligible to receive subsidized/unsubsidized/PLUS loans while on exchange, you may wish to explore US private or alternative loans.

For concerns related to this government-imposed restriction, please use this PDF icon distance eduation_letter template to write your .

McGill students intending to pursue any portion of their program in the US or a foreign country should communicate with us.studentaid [at] mcgill.ca (Scholarships and Student Aid).

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