A Guide to study Abroad Scholarships and Financial Aid

Studying abroad can open students' eyes to new perspectives and worldviews, strengthen specific areas of study, and offer valuable hands-on experience for many academic programs. Many students miss out on the chance to participate in college travel out of fear or uncertainty about the cost, especially those relying on college financial aid to fund regular semester expenses.

 Studying can incur multiple expenses, ranging from the cost of the program and room and board to travel and transportation fees, food and entertainment budgets, and any textbooks or learning materials needed to complete the semester or year. Fortunately, study abroad grants and scholarships are available for many students across degree types and programs to help cover the cost of studying and living internationally.

 

Cost to Study Abroad

Specific expenses of studying abroad vary, depending on the program, the length of the term, the destination you travel to, and what kind of lifestyle you lead while you're there. Inflation and fluctuating fuel costs may also impact the rate of things like transportation and airfare. The Institute for the International Education of Students (IES Abroad), a popular college travel organization with programs in 17 countries, estimates about $19,500 for a one-semester term in London. That figure includes tuition, housing, and insurance. Another travel organization, ISA, estimates more than $22,000 for a London trip of the same length. Their program cost includes tuition, housing, supplemental health insurance, and field trips.

Common Expenses to Consider Include:

• Tuition and program fees

• Room and board fees or rent, including utilities

• Passport and visa fees

• Airfare to and from your destination

• Textbooks and learning materials for the program

• Public transportation, including busses, subways, taxis, and ridesharing

• Food, including dining out and groceries for cooking

• Entertainment and after-study activities

• Luggage and travel gear, like a portable charging adapter

• An international cell phone plan and SIM card

• Travel and health insurance

• Immunizations and vaccinations

If you're trying to save money and study on a budget, consider destinations with a lower cost of living or countries that won't require expensive airfare to visit. India and Mexico are currently two of the most affordable college travel destinations, while Australia and Singapore are two of the most expensive, according to April International. Many programs have a cost estimator or calculator available to help you plan for total expenses, so you know how much money you need to secure before enrolling. You can also work with your college's academic or financial advisors to get a better idea of what costs to expect and explore possible payment options.

Types of Scholarships and Financial Aid

• Merit-based scholarships: Awarded to students with excellent academic records.

• Need-based scholarships: Awarded to students with financial difficulties.

• Country-specific scholarships: Offered by governments or organizations to promote international

• University scholarships: Offered by individual universities to attract international students.

• Government scholarships: Funded by governments to support students studying abroad.

• Private scholarships: Offered by companies, foundations, or individuals.

• Exchange program scholarships: Funded by governments or organizations for exchange programs.

College Travel Scholarship Types

Students seeking assistance for college travel should apply for as many scholarships as possible, including those from universities and colleges, community organizations, private clubs, nonprofit organizations, contests, and similar.

Merit-Based:

Merit-based scholarships are awarded to students who excel in a specific area. Requirements could be broad, like a certain grade point average or a minimum score on a placement exam, or specific, with course- or subject-specific qualifications.

Need-Based:

Need-based scholarships are awarded to students who have demonstrated a provable financial need. Different organizations have separate thresholds for what qualifies as financial need, and documentation is often required to qualify.

Student-Specific:

Student-specific scholarships include those given for a student's special interest, skill, or characteristic. For example, scholarships are available for students belonging to minority groups or those with a parent in the military.

How to Apply for Study Abroad Scholarships?

• Choose a Starting Point: Students should choose a travel abroad program based on their program, degree goals, interests, budget, and skills. While some may prefer to choose a program based on the destination or date, others may prioritize a rigorous study or internship program, regardless of location.

• Keep a List of Options: Once a student chooses a program and learns the costs, they should begin researching all available scholarship, grant, and financial aid options. It's a good idea to keep an organized word document or spreadsheet to track each option.

• Note All Deadlines: Note all scholarship application deadlines, including the deadline to apply, submit follow-up documentation, and the date the award will be announced.

• Gather Necessary Documents: Many scholarships require documentationlike a high school diploma, letters of recommendation from professors, college transcripts, a personal essay, a portfolio, or a special project.

• Complete Application Packet: Fill out all applications thoroughly and be sure to follow the scholarship instructions for submission. Keep track of submitted applications and follow-up information.

• Check Back Regularly: An organization may need additional information to process an application, or they could award a scholarship via email instead of a letter or phone call.

University-specific Scholarships

Popular Study Abroad Scholarships

• Fulbright Scholarship (USA)

• Chevening Scholarship (UK)

• Erasmus Mundus Scholarship (EU)

• DAAD Scholarship (Germany)

• Australia Awards Scholarship (Australia)

• New Zealand Development Scholarship (New Zealand)

• Japanese Government Scholarship (Japan)

• Korean Government Scholarship

Scholarships for Studying Abroad

• Online scholarship databases

• College financial aid offices

• Local organizations and clubs

• Alumni groups

• Employer-sponsored programs

Rotary International Scholarships and Global Grants

The Rotary International Scholarships and Global Grants database has multiple scholarships and grants listed for all types of college programs, including travel abroad.

Rustic Pathways Service Program Financial Aid

Rustic Pathways Service Programs organize multiple trips to different countries worldwide. The Rustic Pathways' Service Program Financial Aid is a competitive, need-based, and merit-based scholarship for undergraduate students who haven't traveled with Rustic Pathways program before.

Specific amounts and terms depend on the applicant and designated trip, but may cover some or all of the total cost to participate.

• Public Health in the Caribbean

• Mountain Air and Island Service in the Dominican Republic

• Turtle Conservation Project in Costa Rica

• Intro to Community Service in Fiji

• Culture and the Crater in Tanzania

The Ashley Soule Conroy Foundation

The Ashley Soule Conroy Foundation is funded by global private donors and awards one to three $4,000 scholarships to undergraduates annually.

Financial Aid Options

• Federal Student Aid (FSA)

• Student loans (private and government funded)

• Grants and Stipends

• Work Study Programs

• Crowdfunding

• Education Tax Benefits

Eligibility Criteria

• Academic performance

• Language proficiency (e.g., TOEFL, IELTS)

• GRE/GMAT scores (for graduate programs)

• Financial Need

• Country of origin

• Program or field of study

• Extracurricular Activates

• Letters of recommendation

• Personal statement or essay

• Proof of financial need (for need-based scholarships)

Application Process

• Research scholarships and financial aid opportunities.

• Check eligibility criteria and application deadlines.

• Prepare required documents (e.g., transcripts, test scores).

• Submit applications online or through university/embassy.

• Follow up with the scholarship provider/university.