Money is an important part of any Study Abroad decisions!
Wondering what aid sources you may have to help with your study abroad program? Fill out the Study Abroad Financial Aid Inquiry Form and submit to the Education Abroad Office in Crabbe Library Room, 225. We will send it on to financial aid, so they can give you an idea of what funds you currently have available to use toward study abroad, based on this year’s FASFA.
However, remember that once you are accepted to a Study Abroad program, you will need to submit a Study Abroad Budget Sheet, and your budget and aid eligibility may change. Your financial aid budget for the semester may need to be adjusted, allowing you to obtain the higher amount needed for the study abroad experience.
Full Semester Study Abroad students must complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as early as possible each year. The FASFA must be completed no later than April 31st for students planning to study abroad in the Fall semester. While the FASFA is not required for Scholarship eligibility, it could aid in identifying other sources of financial support for Study Abroad students.
Fundraising Ideas
Fundraising will help to make your trip more affordable and serves as a way to educate the public.
- Birthday coming up? Request financial gifts or loans instead.
- Set up a crowdfunding site such as GoFundMe.
- Write a creative letter to all your relatives, asking for financial support in exchange for monthly letters or photos while abroad.
- Some local businesses may work with you on fund-raising so that you receive a portion of their profits on a particular day.
- Ask friends to join you in raising money by painting, cleaning or washing cars.
- Ask your church, synagogue or temple to sponsor a special offering, dinner, or raffle and give the proceeds for study abroad.
- Sell coffee and baked goods with a sign stating your purpose.
- Ask family members to donate frequent flyer miles.
- Save all your spare change in a jar – small amounts can really add up!
Scholarships
Once accepted to a Study Abroad program, there are several study abroad scholarships for which you can apply! Check your study abroad provider’s website for any scholarships offered to program participants. Several scholarships you already receive here at EKU may also be applicable to Study Abroad.
Scholarships Administered Through EKU
- EKU Education Abroad Scholarships: Amounts vary. (Applications will be accepted by the study abroad office once you have been applied for a study abroad program.) Recipients must choose a scholarship route to complete coincide to thier study abroad program.
- Bluegrass State Intelligence Scholarship For students enrolled in the Intelligence Certificate Program at EKU
- Bonnie Plummer Scholarship: Various amounts for those students majoring in English.
- Language & Cultural Studies, Anthropology, and Sociology Dept. Scholarships LCAS administers multiple scholarships which can be used for study abroad.
- Layne-Wood Scholarship: For students from Kentucky with Majors in CLASS. – $500 – $800
- Patterson Scholarships: For students majoring in Business fields – $1,500+
Regional and National Scholarships
- Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarships: $1,000+ (Pell Grant recipients are eligible to apply for the scholarship)
- Boren Award: Summer scholarships available for STEM students minimum 8 week program. Semester and yearlong scholarships open to all majors. Aimed at students who are interested in going into government work/public service.
- CLS Program Scholarships: a fully funded summer overseas language and cultural immersion program for American undergraduate and graduate students geared towards mastery of critical languages.
- FEA Scholarship: Students who are U.S. citizen or permanent resident, currently enrolled as an undergraduate at a college or university in the U.S. (graduate students are not eligible) are eligible to apply. Study abroad program must be eligible for credit at the student’s home institution and must the program must be at least 4 weeks (28 days) in country/countries
- Freeman Asia-Scholarship: Available to students interested in study abroad programs in East Asia.
- Hershberg Scholarship: $1,500 (For students studying abroad for a minimum of 21 days, who are from certain counties in KY, OH, and IN. eligible counties are listed on the website.)
- Japan: Bridging Scholarship: $2,500-$4,000 awards available to students interested in studying abroad in Japan for 3 or more months.
- Phi Kappa Phi: various amounts
Scholarship Resources
- Visit IIE Passport Study Abroad Funding, Abroad 101, or GO! Overseas for a listing of various other scholarships to study abroad.
Students are also encouraged to speak with their departments for additional scholarships.