BSMP students are recipients of a fully funded scholarship from CAPES or CNPq and IIE for up to one year, as a non-degree seeking student. Please see below for general program coverage, and visit the FAQs and Financial Policies for more details.
• Tuition and mandatory fees- IIE covers the minimum number of credits to maintain full-time status.
• Health insurance: IIE covers the insurance plan and mandatory university health service fee per term. IIE does not cover copays, co-insurance, prescriptions, deductibles and immunizations.
• Housing and meals- IIE covers the standard rate, double-occupancy shared rooms. IIE also covers a combination of meals and dining points to meet 21 meals per week.
As part of the scholarship, students receive the following funds directly from CAPES/CNPq.
• Books and supplies –one time stipend of $1,000.
• Round-trip Airfare- fully covered.
• Living expenses- one time “settling-in” stipend of $1,300 and a monthly stipend.
If you have any questions about the amounts above, please contact your CAPES/CNPq technician directly, as IIE will not be able to assist with questions regarding these stipends.
Contact Information:
Should you have any questions regarding finances, please contact bswbpayment@iie.org and follow the email procedure below. If you do not follow the email procedure, your email will be returned to you, and you will be asked to resend following the instructions below.
1)Please use the subject titles provided below in the “Subject” line of your email.
- Application Fees: For questions regarding application fees, the subject of the email should be “Brazil App Fees”. Please provide your login information and website in the email.
- Tuition Fees: For questions regarding tuition payments, the subject of the email should correspond to the semester you are emailing about:
i. Spring semester- “Brazil Spring”
ii. Summer semester- “Brazil Summer”
iii. Fall semester- “Brazil Fall”
iv. Winter semester- “Brazil Winter”
- Housing/Leases/Meals: If you have a question about housing, meals, or need a Lease Side Letter, please send an email with the subject “Brazil Housing”.
- Health Insurance: Please send all insurance related questions to BSWBinsurance@iie.org.
- Financial Guarantee: If your University or housing provider requires a financial guarantee, the subject of the email should be “Brazil FG”.
- Receipts (Proof of Payment), Reimbursements, EFT: If you need to send a receipt of payment approved by an IIE employee or if you have questions about a reimbursement or electronic funds transfer, the subject of the email should be “Brazil Receipt”.
- Stipends: For questions regarding stipends, please send an email with the subject “Brazil Stipend”.
2) In the body of your email, please follow the format below and include the following information (failure to do so will only delay IIE in processing your request).
Name:
IIE ID Number:
U.S. University:
CNPq or CAPES: (note if you are a CNPq or CAPES student)
Reason for email: (keep emails brief and to the point)
Billing
Where should my University or Housing provider send bills?
What do I do if I get an electronic bill or invoice from the University?
I received an email saying that I need to make a payment for a housing deposit or application fee. Can I make these payments and IIE reimburse me?
Will IIE pay for my transcript fees?
Travel
Will IIE cover the extra fees for overweight luggage?
Will IIE pay for my transportation from the airport to my U.S. University?
If I live off-campus, how do I get to class?
Will IIE pay for a subway or bus pass for transportation to class?
Will IIE pay for my housing, meals, and insurance if I arrive before my TOA (Terms of Appointment) start date?
Tuition
How many credits am I allowed to take at my U.S. University?
Can I take extra credits?
Does IIE pay for books?
Can I take a class during the summer in place of an Internship?
Can I drop a class?
Housing
What are the requirements for housing?
Can I live off-campus?
Can I live in a single room?
Will my University sign my lease agreement with my housing provider?
How will my utilities (electricity, internet, etc.) be paid?
Can I change rooms?
Will IIE cover Renter's Insurance for off-campus housing?
Meals
What meal plan should I choose?
What if my University does not offer a meal plan that accommodates 21 meals/week?
Can I have an unlimited meal plan?
Can I receive funds directly instead of having a meal plan?
Where do I eat if I live off-campus?
What if I have a food allergy?
Health Insurance
What health insurance do I choose?
What if my University does not offer insurance options?
Will IIE pay for emergency hospital visits, copays, prescriptions or vaccinations?
Will IIE provide me with dental insurance?
How do I find out what my insurance covers?
Application Fees
I have an application fee/housing deposit that must be paid PRIOR to move-in, what should I do?
Can I pay for fees and have IIE reimburse me?
Reimbursements
How do I get reimbursed for the Pre-Academic time period? (For Pre-Academic students ONLY)
Can I pay for fees and have IIE reimburse me?
My laptop was stolen, could I get more money for another one?
Stipends
I have not received my monthly stipend yet, can IIE help me?
I think my city should qualify as a high cost city, can I get the monthly stipend that students living in high cost cities receive?
Term Breaks
Will I receive a Spring Break stipend?
Q: Where should my University or Housing provider send bills?
A: All billing statements and invoices should be sent to IIE at bswbpayment@iie.org or to the address below: Institute of International Education ATTN: BSMP - Mahbubur Rahman 809 United Nations Plaza New York, NY 10017-3580
back to top
Q: What do I do if I get an electronic bill or invoice from the University?
A: Make sure the University will invoice IIE directly. Do not forward the electronic bill to IIE UNLESS you have written or email proof from the University saying that they will not invoice IIE directly.
back to top
Q: I received an email saying that I need to make a payment for a housing deposit or application fee. Can I make these payments and IIE reimburse me?
A: No. Do not make any payments for housing deposits or application fees. These fees need to be invoiced to IIE directly so that we can make the payment. IIE will not reimburse you if you pay a fee without approval from IIE.
back to top
Q: Will IIE pay for my transcript fees?
A: No. IIE will not pay for your transcripts. You must pay for your transcripts directly.
back to top
Q: Will IIE cover the extra fees for overweight luggage?
A: No. You must pack under the maximum allowable limit.
back to top
Q: Will IIE pay for my transportation from the airport to my U.S. University?
A: No. IIE will not cover the cost of your transportation from the airport to your U.S. University. You must use your “settling-in” stipend of $1,300 to cover this cost.
back to top
Q: If I live off-campus, how do I get to class?
A: Your University should offer a transportation service, usually by bus, from your residence hall to your academic buildings where classes are held. Ask your student advisor for more information.
back to top
Q: Will IIE pay for a subway or bus pass for transportation to class?
A: No. IIE will not pay for transportation to or from classes. IIE will also not pay for transportation costs outside of the University’s campus.
back to top
Q: Will IIE pay for my housing, meals, and insurance if I arrive before my TOA (Terms of Appointment) start date?
A: No. IIE will not cover your housing, meals, and insurance expenses prior to the start date of your program as stated in your Terms of Appointment. Housing, meals, and insurance expenses will only be covered from your program’s TOA start date to your TOA end date.
back to top
Q: How many credits am I allowed to take at my U.S. University?
A: You are to take enough credits to ensure you are a full-time student. For many universities, this means 12-15 credits.
back to top
Q: Can I take extra credits?
A: You are only approved to take extra credits if there is NO increase in your tuition costs.
back to top
Q: Does IIE pay for books?
A: No. You should pay for your books using the stipend you received for coursework aid.
back to top
Q: Can I take a class during the summer in place of an Internship?
A: IIE strongly encourages you to take advantage of the opportunity to gain hands-on work experience (internship or research position) while studying in the United States. However, if you are unable to do so, you may take a class if approved by IIE.
back to top
Q: Can I drop a class?
A: You are only allowed to drop courses during the add/drop period and if there are no additional costs. If there are additional costs, you must provide proof to bswbpayment@iie.org that your academic advisor gave you approval to take the class AND you have obtained approval from nsavot@iie.org to drop the course.
back to top
Q:What are the requirements for housing?
A: Housing options selected must be double-occupancy rooms (shared rooms) with shared living accommodations at the standard-rate.
back to top
Q: Can I live off-campus?
A: You may only live off-campus only if no on-campus housing options are available. Prior to contacting IIE, please obtain email proof from a University official that no on-campus housing is available and you are required to live off-campus.
back to top
Q: Can I live in a single room?
A: No. However, the only exceptions are listed below: a. There are no more double-occupancy, shared rooms at the standard rate available at your University, and you are required to live in a single room. (If this is the case, you must provide email proof from your University stating that a single room is the only option available to you.) b. You have an extreme circumstance that requires you to live in a single room and you have received approval from IIE to do so. Please email nsavot@iie.org if you fit this criterion. c. You have received approval from IIE and have paid the extra housing charge BEFORE IIE is invoiced for your housing. In this case, you must obtain approval from IIE before you make the arrangement. Once you receive approval, you have to pay the extra fee and show documented proof via receipt and from your University saying that you have made the payment before IIE is invoiced. *Please note: If you live in a single room, and you have not received approval from IIE, then YOU ARE FULLY RESPONSIBLE for the difference in cost from a standard double-occupancy, shared room.
back to top
Q: Will my University sign my lease agreement with my housing provider?
A: No. The lease agreement must be signed by the student. IIE’s legal department can provide a legal document, the “Lease Side Letter”, as a substitute for signing the lease. The Lease Side Letter states that IIE will make payment for rent, utilities, deposits and application fees on behalf of the students.
back to top
Q: How will my utilities (electricity, internet, etc.) be paid?
A: Please request that the rental agency or management company includes the utility fees in their rental invoice. IIE will not be able to pay for utilities and internet on a monthly basis.
back to top
Q: Can I change rooms?
A: No. Unless the case is URGENT and approved by IIE. You may change to premium housing arrangements ONLY if you receive approval from IIE and you pay for the difference in housing cost BEFORE moving.
back to top
Q: Will IIE cover Renter's Insurance for off-campus housing?
A: No.
back to top
Q: What meal plan should I choose?
A: You should select the option that provides 21 meals per week.
back to top
Q: What if my University does not offer a meal plan that accommodates 21 meals/week?
A: You are approved to purchase extra dining points to ensure 21 meals/week.
back to top
Q: Can I have an unlimited meal plan?
A: If there are no options for 21 meals/week, you can choose the unlimited meal plan if your University offers it. However, you must provide proof that there is not an option for 21 meals/week and get approval from IIE and before choosing this option.
back to top
Q: Can I receive funds directly instead of having a meal plan?
A: No. You have to have a meal plan at you University. IIE will not provide you with funds directly instead of a meal plan.
back to top
Q: Where do I eat if I live off-campus?
A: Please choose an on-campus meal plan and eat on campus. We understand this may be difficult, but we cannot provide meal plan stipends at this time.
back to top
Q: What if I have a food allergy?
A: You will need to inform your University official and provide IIE with a U.S. Physician’s note stating this. Once you have provided the documentation for IIE, you are approved to have your University invoice IIE for a specialized meal plan that can accommodate your specific needs.
back to top
Q: What health insurance do I choose?
A: The insurance you choose must meet J-1 regulations. Please contact bswbinsurance@iie.org for more details.
back to top
Q: What if my University does not offer insurance options?
A: Inform IIE at bswbinsurance@iie.org and we can provide insurance for you through our private insurance company.
back to top
Q: Will IIE pay for emergency hospital visits, copays, prescriptions or vaccinations?
A: No. You are responsible for these costs.
back to top
Q:Will IIE provide me with dental insurance?
A: No. IIE does not pay for dental insurance or dental bills.
back to top
Q:How do I find out what my insurance covers?
A: Please visit your on-campus health facility to learn more about insurance coverage. If IIE provided you with insurance directly, please contact bswbinsurance@iie.org.
back to top
Q:I have an application fee/housing deposit that must be paid PRIOR to move-in, what should I do?
A: Please first see if your University can invoice IIE directly for these fees. If they are unable to do so, please provide email proof from the University saying they will not be able to invoice IIE for these fees and the fees must be paid immediately in order to ensure your placement with the University. Then, please email IIE your login information (username and password), website address, and any specific instructions IIE may need to make the payment on your behalf.
back to top
Q: Can I pay for fees and have IIE reimburse me?
A: No. Do NOT make any payments for application fees or housing deposits on your own. IIE will not reimburse you for any fees you pay without prior approval.
back to top
Q: How do I get reimbursed for the Pre-Academic time period? (For Pre-Academic students ONLY)
A: Email IIE at bswbpayment@iie.org with the subject “Brazil Receipt” and fill out the Pre-Academic Reimbursement form.
back to top
Q: Can I pay for fees and have IIE reimburse me?
A: If you have made a payment for a fee, without receiving approval from IIE, you will not be reimbursed.
back to top
Q: My laptop was stolen, could I get more money for another one?
A: No. If your laptop is stolen, you are responsible for the loss, and you will not receive additional funds from CAPES to recuperate the loss.
back to top
Q: I have not received my monthly stipend yet, can IIE help me?
A: For all questions regarding monthly stipends, please contact CAPES directly. IIE does not administer these stipends and will not be able to answer any questions.
back to top
Q: I think my city should qualify as a high cost city, can I get the monthly stipend that students living in high cost cities receive?
A: Unfortunately, IIE does not administer these stipends nor determines the amounts. CAPES makes the final decision regarding high cost cities. At this time we have not been informed by CAPES if any other cities will be added to their list of high cost cities.
back to top
Q: Will I receive a Spring Break stipend?
A: CAPES has decided that a Spring break stipend will not be issued. Please budget the funds you receive monthly in preparation for this break. If you have any questions or concerns about this break, please contact your CAPES technician directly. IIE does not determine if this stipend is issued or not.
back to top