For many college students, looking for ways to get funds to study abroad can seem like a never ending maze. They are often frustrated and confused about all the red tape that goes along with making their trip a reality. Often, the task seems impossible to achieve. But with a little clarification and a lot of good old fashioned willingness and work, study abroad can become your reality. Let’s talk about a few ways in which study abroad can be funded.
1) Financial Aid. First things first. Check with your advisor in the Financial Aid office of your home institution. He or she will know the rules and regulations of the different financial aid opportunities you have. You can find out if you qualify for a grant, scholarship or, yes, even a regular student student loan. Some students will use most or all of their financial aid during the regular semester if they don’t plan early enough. See what you do have, spend it wisely. If your fall/spring financial aid is used up, ask the advisor if a summer application is an option. Keep in mind that sometimes the advisor does not know if extra funds will be available in late spring, if anything, until they hear from the federal government. You should always check again later even if you are turned down. Loans should not be feared but taken with caution. After all, you are not funding a vacation, you are investing in your studies.
2) “Regular” scholarships. If you are lucky enough to receive an academic scholarship during the year, check with the scholarship administrator to see if this can applied to your summer abroad experience. Rules differ from university to university so but it never hurts to ask. Do you have an athletic scholarship? Ask the department if your scholarship can be used or if they are willing to sponsor you.
3) Study abroad office. A good study abroad office will make a list of scholarships available to you or steer you towards websites that can offer the information. Talk to the advisors and determine which scholarship you should apply to. Does the office offer direct scholarships? Can they give you information and websites where you can go find them? Do you qualify for them? If in doubt apply anyway. If is better to spend a little more time applying to numerous scholarships than to pass up an opportunity that you are not sure about. Once you decide to study abroad, apply early! Many scholarships have deadlines early in the semester and you could miss out on them.
4) Outside scholarships. There are many websites that can give you information on the different study abroad scholarships available. Don’t stop at one, make it your job to find them. For example, if you normally receive a Pell grant then you qualify to apply to the Gilman scholarship program. This is a national organization that has sent hundreds of students abroad. Check with your parents and their professional affiliations. Rotary Club member? Lions club? They could awards scholarships!
5) Veterans Affairs. Do you qualify for veterans’ scholarships? The GI Bill? Most of the time they can be applied to study abroad. Check with the Veteran’s Affairs office at your university.
6) Family and friends. Many students are reluctant to ask family and friends to help them fund their study abroad experience. But most people are happy to help in any way to make this dream a reality. What would you prefer for your birthday? Another knitted scarf from your grandmother or $20 towards your study abroad experience? What about your parent’s workplace? Do they offer scholarships or matching funds?
7) Professors. Talk to your professors, many times you will need a letter of recommendation to go along with the scholarship applications. Tell them what you are doing and what it means to you. They might have some insight on some academic scholarships or sponsors to contact in your particular field.
8) Work. Yes, that dreaded word. Get an extra job and save the extra earnings towards your study abroad program. You can dream about the places you will visit while flipping burgers but you will serve the food with a smile knowing that soon you be eating gelato in Rome.
9) Other. Of course many students have raised money by doing car washes, fund-me accounts, church fundraisers, sponsored dinners or bake sales. Does someone you know have some frequent flyer miles they would like to donate towards your trip? Would they donate items for your garage sale? Don’t pass up on any gifts. Every bit helps.
These are just a few ideas that can be used to make your study abroad experience a reality. Students cannot afford not to look into the many ways study abroad can be funded. Don’t be afraid to take the first step to your exciting journey!
Share your story, do you have tips for other students on how to fund study abroad?
