Financial Aid for SAGE

Can I use my Scripps College Financial Aid while participating in a SAGE program?

Yes. When approved for participation by the Committee on Study Abroad, students remain eligible for institutional, federal, and state financial aid, including grants, scholarships, and loans with one exception—work-study. Earning work-study is only possible while enrolled in an on-campus program.

Will my financial aid award change because I am participating in a SAGE program?

Because students cannot earn work-study while studying off-campus, the financial aid office will remove your unused work-study from your financial aid award to allow you to borrow more of your unused eligibility for Federal Direct Loans if you wish to borrow. This award change will occur shortly before you begin participation in a SAGE program, you will receive a notification of a change to your award when it happens.

If you are participating in the SAGE program for only one semester and you would prefer to earn more than one-half of your work-study award while you are on campus, you may do so.

I am interested in participating in SAGE next year. Can I get an estimate of my award for next year?

Yes. We understand that students often need to apply to or commit to participating in SAGE well in advance of receiving a final financial aid award for the upcoming academic year. Since you must apply for need-based aid annually, your award may change based on changes in your family’s financial circumstance. If your family’s financial circumstance has changed or you just want more information about next year’s aid before committing to the SAGE program, we encourage you to contact the Office of Financial Aid.

You can complete your FAFSA and CSS Profile for the 2025-2026 academic year on December 1, 2024.  If you complete your application early and submit all of your supporting documentation to the IDOC website, financial aid staff can make a preliminary assessment of your award for the next year to let you know if we anticipate that your award will change.  Remember, final costs for the 2025-2026 academic year won’t be determined until March 2025, and actual awards can’t be released until spring 2025 grades are finalized. However if you complete your application early, we will do our best to help you understand any potential changes in your award so you can make an informed decision about SAGE.

Does my Cost of Attendance change because I participate in a SAGE program?

As fully-enrolled Scripps College students, SAGE participants continue to pay the same Scripps semester fees for tuition and room and board as every other semester on campus, regardless of the program chosen.

The SAGE Participation Fee covers the following expenses while participating in a semester away program:

  • tuition;
  • room and board while classes are in session;
  • contribution toward round-trip airfare based on travel between Los Angeles and the program site, for the dates of the program;
  • International Student Identity Card or equivalent;
  • a basic medical and accident insurance policy while abroad, and
  • support for administering SAGE programs at the College.

The Office of Financial Aid will increase your estimated cost of attendance for financial aid purposes by $500 for each semester you participate in the SAGE program.  This is not a charge to your student account, but rather an allowance in the cost of attendance we use to build your financial aid award. Increasing your cost of attendance by this amount will allow you to access additional unused Federal Direct Loan eligibility should you wish to do so.  The $500 is intended to help with expenses related to passports, visas, and required inoculations that some students may incur.