Guide to Studying Abroad

There are countless advantages to studying abroad including:

• Personal growth and development
• Improved problem solving skills
• Cultivating a new international network of exceptional people
• Cultural immersion and jaw-dropping new experiences
• Improved foreign language skills

If you’re ready to embark on a new adventure overseas, check out our top tips to make your semester abroad a success.

How Much Does Studying Overseas Cost?

There are a wide variety of opportunities for students who want to study overseas. Because of the number of opportunities, there is also a significant range when it comes to cost. Some schools offer tuition-free education, but require the student to support themselves during the program. Others might have tuition but offer a place to stay nearby the school for less than rent would cost in the same area. Some programs will have travel, equipment or lab costs associated that don’t apply to other programs, those will need to be calculated as well in order to determine the actual cost of the overseas program.

While looking at overseas programs the following information could prove very helpful in determining total cost:

• How much is tuition?
• Is housing available for students or are students expected to find nearby housing and pay rent?
• Are there transportation costs associated with attending classes?
• Does the school or country have additional requirements regarding things like health insurance?
• How much are materials for the program? Books, art supplies or equipment costs can really add up.
• In order to get a student visa, does the student need to prove they have enough funds to live in the country for the duration of their student visa?
• What is the cost of living in the country and region where the program takes place? How much money needs to be available for things like food, and entertainment?

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Are There Scholarships Available for Studying Overseas?

There are several types of scholarships available that can be used of overseas schooling. In some cases, students can apply current, on-campus financial aid to a temporary semester overseas where they continue their studies. Some scholarships are available for students as well, and can be used for course costs, books, lodging or even travel. The types of scholarships to be aware of are as follows:

1. Subject-specific - Scholarships that are awarded when a student studies a particular subject area or field of study.
2. Destination grants or scholarships - Some countries offer awards for students as a way to entice them into coming and studying. They are often supported or funded by the government of that country and students will have the opportunity to apply their award to specific courses, conferences, or materials while they study at approved colleges and universities in the country.
3. Student-specific - Scholarships are also available for applicants who qualify based on requirements like gender, race, religion, family history, medical history, sexual orientation, ethnicity, etc. Other requirements may be part of these scholarships as well, like GPA or field of study.
4. Merit-based - The most common type of scholarship is a merit-based scholarship. These are awarded based on student achievement and can cover areas from academic achievement to athletics.
5. Program-specific - some study abroad programs offer financial aid, scholarships or grants for students applying to specific programs. There are a variety of qualifications for these awards and they vary between programs and institutions.

Scholarships often have very strict deadlines and a list of required submissions. They can require essays, volunteer involvement, GPA minimums, or proof a student has specific educational goals. Each scholarship is different, as are the way the scholarship can be applied and what the expectations are of the student. You’ll want to review the details before accepting any scholarship.

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Besides Scholarships, Are There Other Financial Aid Programs for Studying Overseas?

One key document that students can complete for study in the United States is the FAFSA - Federal Application for Student Aid. The FAFSA looks at income and then awards financial aid in the form of grants or loans to students. The FAFSA can be used to get funding to cover remaining costs of tuition and materials after scholarships and personal financing has been applied.

It is worth noting that some of the financial awards from FAFSA need to be paid back and will accumulate interest over time. Reading the details about each award will help a student make decisions about which money to accept. A student does not need to accept full loans from FAFSA. Grants from FAFSA do not have to be paid back.