group of U of M Students in front of a windmill in Spain

Bridging Loan Program

    The Bridging Loan is a no interest/no fees program designed to assist you if you do not immediately have the funds available to cover your program deposit and flight booking costs. It enables you to pay for these costs with your financial aid package. The Bridging Loan will cover these costs until the program fee is billed to your account.

    Other possible initial costs associated with attendance on a program abroad such as passports, visas, and medical visits will need to be paid for directly by you often before your financial aid disbursement occurs.

    Agreement Form

    You must print, fill out, and submit the completed agreement form to apply.

    Agreement Form (PDF)

    Deadline

    The Bridging Loan Agreement form must be submitted to the Learning Abroad Center by the date listed below. If the deadline falls on a weekend, submit your materials on the following business day.. Prior to submitting the form to the Learning Abroad Center, you will need to schedule a Financial Aid Preview Meeting with the Office of Student Finance.

    Program Term Bridging Loan Deadline
    Fall Semester June 1
    Academic Year June 1
    Winter Break November 15
    Calendar Year November 15
    Spring Semester November 15
    Spring Break December 15

    Eligibility Requirements

    • Must be enrolled as a degree-seeking undergraduate student on the Twin Cities or Rochester Campuses
       
    • Must have an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $15,000 or less for the previous or current academic year on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). To determine your EFC you will need to access your Financial Aid Summary instructions on MyU (click "Financial Aid Summary" to view EFC). If selected for an award, documentation of your financial aid eligibility will be requested.
       
    • Must have applied or are planning to apply to a credit bearing Fall, Winter Break, Spring, Spring Break, Academic Year, or Calendar Year Learning Abroad Center program

    If you are a Carlson student going on a Carlson Global Institute program, review information about their Connecting Flight Advance program.

    Eligible Programs

    Ensure that your program is on this list before applying. Only Fall, Winter Break, Spring, Spring Break, Academic Year, or Calendar Year Learning Abroad Center programs are eligible. May and Summer programs are not eligible. 

    If your program is not eligible for Bridging Loan, consider STA Travel's Book Now, Pay Later program, which allows you to pay a small deposit for your airfare upfront and the remaining balance closer to the time of departure.