Scholarships, Grants, & Fellowships
Many students are interested in the opportunities available to study abroad for a summer, a semester, or an entire year. To see the world, to experience new cultures, and to earn credit towards a degree is an experience, and it takes time and energy to obtain. Acceptance into a study abroad program is certainly not guaranteed and the ability to afford the expenses that follow can be overwhelming at first. This is where the knowledge of scholarships, grants, and fellowships become increasingly valuable. Unlike loans that you will have to pay back, scholarships, grants, and fellowships are fully funded by the sponsor and don't require pay back from students. Applying for such financial aid sources is a simple process, providing you take the time necessary to research your options.
Scholarships
Though scholarships may be offered directly through the university's Financial Aid office, they may also be found through a funded or private source such as a local business, organization, or church. If you have not yet spoken to a Financial Aid representative at the university make it a priority to set up an appointment and discuss your options. Then look into other avenues through your host university or the administrative program. There are also corporate sponsors that offer additional services, products and discounts for travel, phone cards, guidebooks and more. Surfing the Internet may also find new study abroad scholarship options as well. Below are some options to check out:
http://www.StudyAbroadFunding.org
http://www.iie.org/programs/gilman/index.html
http://www.australearn.org/programs/semester_and_year_abroad/fees_and_finances/scholarships/
http://www.isep.org/Sponsors/sponsor.asp
http://www.isep.org/students/Programs/financial_aid_scholarships.asp
(Annette Kade Scholarship for Study in France or Germany only)
For AHA and NCSA scholarships, go to the UAS Financial Aid office. There are two $500 scholarships available. Application deadline for fall and winter quarter or semester is August 15. For spring semester participants, the deadline is January 15.
Grants
You may attain a study abroad grant through applying directly to Grants.gov, or by checking with the Financial Aid office to see what grants are offered here. Student travel grants are awarded to full-time undergraduate or graduate students to help pay for transportation, food, and lodging. A great source for travel grants is the AAG IGIF Student Travel Grant site.
http://www.aag.org/Grantsawards/IGIF.cfm
Fellowships
Most fellowships are awarded to graduate students, but are also given to undergraduate students in their last two years of study. Fellowships are awarded for a summer or semester abroad. It is important to apply as early as possible since fellowships are very competitive due to the fabulous international learning opportunities they present. Here are a couple of excellent online examples of fellowship resources:
1. Germany: Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals
2. Asia: Freeman Awards for Study in Asia