Financing Study Abroad + Scholarships!

Sorry about the delay between posts! From now on we're going to make weekly updates!

This week we're going to look at scholarship opportunities! Financing a study abroad can seem scary, but it's totally possible.

If you choose an exchange program all your institutional, federal and state aid transfers, this includes any scholarships you might be receiving. Your aid package might be adjusted to the cost of the exchange program. Aid may be reduced if allowable costs are less than IC costs. All your costs will be from IC, but you'll still want some extra money for travel and other in country expenses (transportation, souvenirs, activities etc).


If you choose an affiliated program, all or some of your financial aid may transfer. Again, your aid package might be adjusted to the cost of the exchange program and aid may be reduced if allowable costs are less than IC costs. Though, when I went to Senegal my program costs turned out to be $1,000 less and my aid wasn't reduced. Thus, you'll still be paying IC tuition but the room/board costs will come from your program and you'll still want money for travel and other in country expenses (transportation, souvenirs, activities etc).

If you choose a non-affiliated program you won't be paying IC tuition or IC room/board, but all the program costs. This can be a good option if you don't receive much financial aid or scholarships because only federal financial aid can potentially transfer for this kind of program. Again, the expenses mentioned earlier will apply so you'll need some extra cash. Also, a $415 administrative fee (semester) or $200 administrative fee (summer) must be paid to IC and a $400 deposit is required to hold your place at IC for following semester.

That all being said, your best bet to get the details on expenses will be to meet with Rachel Cullenen at the Office of International Programs; call (607)-274-3306 or email intlprog@ithaca.edu to set up an appointment.


now for SCHOLARSHIPS!!! :D

Check here first. This is where I found out about the Congressionally-funded Gilman scholarship that gave me $4,500! There are a lot of other scholarships here too.

A searchable study abroad scholarship database organized by region/country, field of study, program type (research/classroom/ internship), and student criteria, including students with disabilities.

Traveling to East or Southeast Asia? This scholarship grants up to $5,000 for one semester of study.

Average award of $5,000 for International Business majors studying abroad anywhere.

Scholarship for studying abroad in Germany

Study abroad loan website

scholarship for studying abroad in Turkey or Cyprus either through IC's summer & winter session programs or on a non-affiliated program, up to $1,000

DiversityAbroad.com Study Abroad Scholarship for those of you studying on a non-affiliated program that is a Diversity Abroad member organization or on an affiliated program through CC-CS, IES, or SIT.

receive 50% off the cost of the least expensive cabin for the non-affiliated Semester at Sea program.

Local Sources
You might check banks in your hometown to ask if they award monies to students for educational or international purposes. Funds may also be available from your parents’ or guardians’ employer or a large hometown business or civic organization.