Funding
FINANCIAL AID
Many students are unaware that certain types of financial aid including Pell Grants, Bright Futures, loans, tuition scholarships, and more may be able to be used for their study abroad program. While Education Abroad and the Financial Aid office are here to provide guidance regarding funding and how aid may be applied, it is ultimately students' responsibility to ensure that they have an updated FAFSA on file; they meet all of the program and financial aid eligibility requirements; and they have made arrangements to pay any and all program costs and fees by the deadlines. Education Abroad is not eligible or responsible for processing or accessing Financial Aid on your behalf. The availability and amount of financial aid awarded will be determined by the Financial Aid office and is disbursed directly to the student, so it is essential to plan accordingly.
Education Abroad has created a Financial Aid Cheat Sheet to help determine which aid is applicable to which program option:
If intending to apply for Financial Aid for study abroad programming, it is the student’s responsibility to:
- Have an updated FAFSA on file and complete all the general university requirements for applying for financial aid
- Meet with a Financial Aid Coordinator to discuss aid that is eligible for your program and selected courses
- Complete all Financial Aid requirements prior to departure
- Complete all study abroad application and admissions materials including course approvals, transient forms, and petitions
- Submit the required Mandatory Course Entry Quiz for aid to release even if already abroad
- Understand that funding may not be released until after you have arrived to your program abroad and course attendance is confirmed
Students are solely responsible for meeting payment deadlines for their program and making arrangements for any financial obligations in the event financial aid is delayed or not accessible.
For summer faculty-led program students: Although tuition fees will fall under the same summer deadlines as any summer FAU course, program fee (which includes accommodation, insurance, excursions, etc.) payments will be due in the spring semester prior to a student’s study abroad summer program departure. Program fee payment deadlines cannot be deferred so students must plan their funds accordingly. If eligible, financial aid funds will not be released until after the summer drop/add period of the summer study abroad term.
SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS, & FELLOWSHIPS
One of the best ways to fund study abroad experiences is through scholarships, grants, and fellowships. These opportunities not only have financial benefits, but they can bolster your resume and academic profile. Education Abroad has compiled a list of Scholarships, Grants, and Fellowships that are applicable to study abroad experiences. The downloadable and printable guide contains opportunities for undergraduates and graduate students, as well as some options for post-graduation study.
FAU Education Abroad awards various short and long-term education abroad scholarships through out the year for approved programs (faculty-led programs, exchange programs, and direct enroll programs.) Awards typically range in value and are available to FAU degree-seeking students participating on FAU-sponsored programs. Students may only receive the Education Abroad Scholarship one time.
Contact: Alex Baker bakera@fau.edu
The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides grants for individually designed study/research projects or for English Teaching Assistant Programs. During their grants, Fulbrighters will meet, work, live with and learn from the people of the host country, sharing daily experiences. The program facilitates cultural exchange through direct interaction on an individual basis in the classroom, field, and home.
Contact: Madison McShane
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a scholarship funded by the US Department of State, focusing on students of high financial need and who have been historically underrepresented in education abroad. The program supports students including but not limited to first-generation college students, ethnic minority students, students with disabilities, students attending HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) or other minority-serving institutions to study or intern abroad.
Contact: Steph Pack
The Boren Awards fund the intensive study of language and culture abroad by U.S. undergraduate or graduate students. All eligible applicants have the option to either apply for a Regional Flagship Language Initiative or select/design their own study program. The Boren Awards are an initiative of the Defense Language and National Security Education Office (DLNSEO) at the U.S. Department of Defense, which focuses on the combined issues of language proficiency, national security, and the needs of the federal workforce.
Contact: Brendan Richardson
OTHER FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Students have also obtained or utilized funding from the following sources as well:
- Savings from employment
- Contribution from employer
- Contributions from organizations to which you may belong (campus clubs/activities, religion, civic, social)
- Veterans Benefits
- Personal fundraising and crowdfunding
- The Carol Mills Young Study Abroad Scholarship
Please also feel free to reach out to Education Abroad with any additional funding ideas you have found to be successful so we may share them with other students!
UPON YOUR RETURN
For semester-long study abroad students: Upon completion of the program, foreign transcripts may take up to several months to arrive at FAU and be posted to a student’s academic record. The temporary absence of grades may affect the awarding and release of further financial aid, including Bright Futures, Pell grants, scholarships, grants and student loans. Education Abroad processes transcripts for students going on FAU exchange programs as soon as they arrive and notifies both the student and financial aid once grades have posted to the students account. Students going on affiliated programs or to a direct enroll location are responsible for obtaining their transcript from the host institution and sending it to the Registrar for recording. When notified, the Education Abroad Office will assist a student having difficulty getting a transcript in a reasonable period. All students are responsible for any follow-up with financial aid after a time abroad, to ensure the timely release of any pending or future financial aid.