Is it possible for a US student to study in Canada for more than a year?

Question

I would like to do two whole years there, to finish my B.A. there, and also am concerned about financial aid. If one "studies abroad" for a year, but then returns to their "home" university, federal financial aid can be used, but if it is even (legally) possible to study for longer, I do not know if I could still use federal aid. Does anyone have resources or knowledge on this subject?

Answer 1

Yes - you can transfer and you can apply for U.S. federal aid if the school is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Everything you need to know can be found on the website below (including financial aid information and how to complete the FAFSA). Good luck and have fun!

Answer 2

yes can !!! there is no any obligation  and restriction for USA student to sutdy in Canada.

Answer 3

It's legally possible for you to study at a Canadian university. In fact, if you want, you can simply transfer to a Canadian university, and complete your degree there - but your degree would therefore come from the Canadian uni, not the US uni. And no, your US financial aid would *not* follow you to Canada, because you wouldn't be "officially" going to school in the US. Certain types of US student loans may travel overseas, but most US financial aid won't follow you.

An official foreign exchange is different because you're still graduating from your home university, and in fact, your foreign "credits", if you get such things, transfer back to your home university. So your financial aid pretty much works while you're on exchange.

The longest officially organized foreign exchange I've ever seen is 1 year. You certainly could do two years, if you were to arrange a foreign exchange on your own (say, by simply enrolling as a foreign student, via continuing ed, at the Canadian uni), but by not participating in a home university sanctioned program, you'd face difficulty with financial aid, and more than that, not all your credits may transfer back, and worse, you'd still need to be sure to complete the number of credits on your home campus that your home university requires. Very complex.

Another possibility is to do a mix. Do an official year long foreign exchange via your home university, then go home and study for two terms. During the following summer, do a work exchange via BUNAC, or do another foreign exchange for the summer. Or, do a year long foreign exchange, return home, and after you graduate, work for 9 months in Canada via BUNAC.

Your home university should have an office of student exchanges. Please make an appointment there to find out what your options are.