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Financial Aid for Study Abroad
Don't let finances inhibit you from studying abroad.
By Roxana Hadad
April 21, 2009
Euro. Yen. Dollar. Whatever you call it, if you want to study abroad you’re going to need it. There are ways to get financial aid to study abroad. Find out how to make your trip overseas more affordable.
The Ins and Outs of Aid Eligibility
Before you rule out study abroad because of the cost, find out whether you may be eligible for aid. The amount of financial aid you get for your term abroad depends on:
- The amount of financial aid you qualify for at your home campus.
- The price tag on the study abroad program.
- How committed your college is to promoting study abroad opportunities.
- Whether or not the program you are interested in is approved by your college and will advance you in your degree.
- If you are taking at least a half-time course load.
Using the Aid You’ve Already Got
Your first step in funding your trip abroad is to find out if you can use any aid you’ve already received. This includes aid from the usual sources: federal need-based aid (e.g. Pell grants, Stafford loans, PLUS loans); state need-based aid and merit scholarships; and institutional aid (scholarships and grants provided directly by the school). Keep in mind that each state and college may have different regulations regarding financial aid for study abroad.
When it comes to federal aid, your school can’t deny you aid just because you’re participating in a study abroad program. But in order for those funds to transfer, you have to meet certain requirements. Your study abroad program must be approved for credit by your school, you must take course that advance you toward a degree, you must study at least half-time, and you must meet the usual eligibility restrictions for federal aid. If you are interested in a program that costs more than your usual tuition, you may be able to receive an increase in your Federal Pell Grant.
For state-based and institutional aid, policies vary. Check with the financial aid officer at your school to learn about any special requirements or limitations.
Other Sources of Aid
In addition to using the aid you’ve already got, look for other ways to get funding for your study abroad experience.
Start by checking in with your school’s study abroad office. They’ll be able to tell you if your school sponsors any special awards for study abroad programs, or if they sponsor programs of their own which include funding for travel.
If the program you are considering is sponsored by another institution, check to see if there is a consortium agreement between your school and the sponsoring school. You might be able to carry your financial aid to the sponsoring institution.
The US government sponsors some competitive fellowships and grants for study abroad. These are mostly for graduate students but some, like the (NSEP), offer scholarships for undergraduates, too.
Look into private organizations or civic groups for other sources of aid. Organizations and associations related to your area of study or destination are worth contacting, as are ethnic and service organizations. Start with
- The Rotary club sponsors Ambassadorial Scholarships for civic-minded students who want to broaden their horizons.
- The IIE supports the Fulbright awards for undergraduates, graduates and teachers.
- The CIEE supports a number of programs, including the Bowman Travel grants.
Exciting opportunities await you around the world. Don’t let cost hold you back. Research your options and maybe you’ll soon be saying “adios.”
ChristianeH
about 1 year ago
Bertin, Daniel, Feremnet, Mohammedz, and others: there is no point in asking for financial help in your comments here. This site is ONLY to give us information about financial help from OTHER sources. Nobody who works for this site can grant your wishes. Your comments should say what you think about the information in the article, not ask for someone to consider helping you. The only money you might get from FastWeb is through their sweepstakes, in which winners are randomly chosen. Here's an example of one of their sweepstakes, but you can't enter it right now: http://www.fastweb.com/content/back_to_school_sweepstakes?utm_source=nlet&utm_content=fw_c2_20100915_&g=1
DdamuliraS
over 1 year ago
hi ma name is Ddamulira shariff i would like to study from abroad my university but aint have enough fund nd finished high school
FeremnetT
over 1 year ago
My neme is Feremnet .I am Ethiopian and i am Addis Ababa University 2nd year CIVIL ENGINEERING student i really want to study abroad and i would so greatful if you help me on my way to success. i would like to learn in USA or Europe if it is possible.
MohammedZaineA
over 1 year ago
Hello ! my name is mohammedz. i am loking for financial aid to continue my education abroad i have bachelore in Econonmics .i will be great ful if you help me to increase my knowledge sothat i have agood future life and able to help others .i am ethiopian .I want to serve my beloved country with all what i have to improve its situation.
MelanieC386
over 1 year ago
Hi, My name is Melanie Casillas and being able to get a scholarship for studying abroad would be awesome. Since high school, I've always wanted to study abroad and I applied but wasn't accepted. Now that I have moved onto a four year college that has a global education program, I would love to apply for studying abroad in Europe. My major is Sociology and I'm thinking about International Relations and being able to study in a different country to get their views and ideas about different topics and issues would be very enlightening. So acquiring a scholarship, financial aid or a grant for studying abroad, would be wonderful.
BertinN
over 1 year ago
Hi, My name is Bertin Nsong and i really want to say that have been blessed with skills and ideas beyong my imagination but i just can exploit it due to the country where i happen to be and i am really looking forward to study abroad because i know i have potentials i have to unveil if i am exposed to life in a different dimension.I will be grateful for a financial aid or a loan which i promist to pay installmentally once i sta
DanielB2408
over 1 year ago
Hi my name is Daniel Birech from kenya i would like to study my masters in accounting option in U.S .I do not have any fund ; please help .
Sfaniel
over 1 year ago
is this commenting how we apply for the grants?
Sfaniel
over 1 year ago
I dont plan to study abroad until my junior year in college at the University of Arizona and I'm just going to be a freshmen in a few days, but there's nothing wrong with applying now. I've been raised by a single parent my whole entire life..I'm the youngest of 4 siblings, which leaves me with the left overs ALL the time. My mom put no money away for me to attend college b/c she couldn't. My family typically lives pay check to pay check. I really don't want to take out student loans if i dont have to b/c it would just be to hard and stressful on me to pay them back. Please consider me for this grant money. PLEASE.
P.S. my work ethic is OUTSTANDING, so the funds wont go to waste
emmafont
over 1 year ago
i get financial aid every semester, loans mostly but this year if the first year i qualify for a pell grant because of my age. I want to study abroad next summer but I wont have any aid left over (because its a summer program) I am putting some of my money from the fall and spring up to be able to help pay for the classes, however I don't really know where to start with getting money; my school's FA office wasn't that helpful. Im doing everything I can to try and get to London next summer, I'm even collecting cans from my friends parties. I dont have the greatest GPA because I messed up when i was younger and due to hurricanes RIta and Katrina. Is there aid out that for someone who's overall GPA isnt that great but since returning to school my GPA per semester has been really good? There has to be an easier way to study abroad then collecting can and other odd things such as that... Any help would be great (my FA adviser told me nothing about the grants and other programs listed above...I feel completely lost!!!!
JEFFREYCJACOBS
over 1 year ago
i HAVE BEEN ADMITTED TO A MASTERS PROGRAM IN HUMANITARIAN ACTION AT GRONINGEN UNIVERSITY IN THE NETHERLANDS. aRE THERE ANY GRANTS THAT i MAY QUALIFY AND APPLY FOR.
AmyR325
over 1 year ago
At the age of 70, I just received my Bachelor's degree. I am a missionary and would like to go to Israel to study Hebrew. If there are any study abroad programs that would want to sponsor me, I would be very appreciative. I am retired but still have some good working years ahead of me. Call me at 410-336-7192 and lets talk.
Amy
DevonW149
over 2 years ago
You mention that "If you are interested in a program that costs more than your usual tuition, you may be able to receive an increase in your Federal Pell Grant". How does FASFA know that my daughter in a program (through Penn State & CIEE) where the tuition is still Penn State tuition, but they add and additional $6K expense fee+ CIEE admin fees? I think the FASFA would still list University Park & the corresponding tuition & would have no idea that the costs were higher?
SundayO26
over 2 years ago
iam a student of Nigeria, i have tried my possible to financial aid from abroad to financed my education but no point to avail am fed up if you can assist, i will be very grateful. My name is olanipekun sunday from Nigeria, and the school is Texas christian university the cost is Us$ 10,000 to financed all the process. my number is +2348136226135. Thanks.
goodman2010
over 2 years ago
.Iam a Ugandan working with soroti municipal council local government as a senior law enforcement officer (ministry of local government ) And i have applied to go and study in the Federal Law Enforcement Center in Glynco _georgia sarting 22/9/2009_2/10/2009.You can confirm this from the admission co_ordinator on this telephone:+1(912)2805353 or
email:barbara.durant@dhs.gov
Hence the cost is Us$5000 that is why iam seeking for financial aid to study this course.