Scholarship Opportunities for Study Abroad
Spending a semester abroad costs roughly the same amount of money as a semester here at Stonehill. There are, however, additional costs such as airfare, visas fees, and other personal travel expenses, that can add up and leave many students wondering if studying abroad is an option for them financially. Luckily there are hundreds of International Scholarships out there to help make study abroad more affordable for everyone.
If you are considering applying for study abroad scholarships here are some important tips to get you started:
DO NOT WAIT UNTIL YOU HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED INTO A STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM TO START APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS.
MANY APPLICATIONS ARE DUE OVER ONE YEAR IN ADVANCE OF STUDYING ABROAD-before you even apply for your study abroad program-START EARLY!!!
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Make good use of your academic writing skills. Revise all essays and ask for feedback on your work. If possible, schedule an appointment with the Writing Center.
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Are you a good writer? Or perhaps a talented photographer? Look for student travel writing and photography contests for extra funding ideas. The following are a few contests to be aware of: http://www.abroadview.org/initiatives/writingcontest.htm http://www.transitionsabroad.com/information/writers/student.shtml#student_guidelines
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Ask your parents if any scholarships exist at their workplace for children of employees.
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Look in your community- funding may be available through civic, ethnic, or religious groups. For example, former Girl Scouts should look at http://www.cjsfoundation.org/.
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Are you a member of any honor societies? If so, check to see whether study abroad scholarships are offered to members of your society. For instance, Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society, offers study abroad scholarships to its members for up to $3,000 per term. http://www.english.org/sigmatd/awards/index.shtml
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Most program providers (API, GSE, AIFS, SIT, Arcadia) offer their own need or merit-based scholarships that require separate applications. Be sure to check their websites to see which awards you might be eligible for.
Highlighted Scholarships
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
Open to students of all majors who are receiving a federal Pell Grant. Preference is given to students studying in diverse locations and/or demonstrating other factors of diversity. Awards are up to $5,000. To read about 2 Stonehill students who were awarded the Gilman scholarship for the fall 2012 semester, click here. To apply for the Gilman Scholarship, click here.
Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) General Scholarship
Open to students of all majors who are willing to promote education abroad on campus upon return from their study abroad program. Awards are up to $5,000. http://www.fundforeducationabroad.org/applicants/scholarships/
Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) BASAA Scholarship
Awards are also up to $5,000 but only students attending college in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine are eligible. http://www.fundforeducationabroad.org/applicants/scholarships/
Miller International Travel Stipend - Stonehill Specific
Established by Kathleen and James Miller, the stipend helps defray the additional financial burden of studying abroad for a semester or year. For Stonehill students ONLY, awards range from $100 to $500. Application.
**The above listing is only a sample of the scholarships available. Please consult our Scholarship Opportunities Guide for a more comprehensive listing, including links to scholarship search engines for additional research**