Though the cost of studying abroad programs may seem daunting, students should keep in mind that there are resources available to them that can make this experience more affordable. Governments, universities, and private funding organizations provide scholarships designed specifically for international travel. Some scholarships may focus on one country or subject while others can be used by anyone interested in international travel. It’s wise for students to be proactive and explore all available opportunities prior to beginning planning their study abroad experiences.
Scholarship applications can be an extensive, time-consuming, and sometimes nerve-wracking part of the application process, yet can provide an effective means of offsetting the cost of studying abroad. To make the best use of your time and effort, it is advisable to apply for at least half a dozen scholarships per one you hope to win; also remember to use creative essay-writing styles; scholarship providers are looking for engaging narratives of how studying abroad will help achieve specific goals; for instance if your aim is fluency in a foreign language be sure to include this in your essay and demonstrate why studying abroad will provide the means.
As well as study abroad scholarships, traditional merit and need-based grants may also be available for students looking to travel overseas. These grants can help offset tuition expenses associated with each semester abroad; typically regardless of acceptance into any specific program. Students should speak to their financial advisor about eligibility for these grants each year before making plans to travel overseas.
Study abroad scholarships offer another advantage, in that they’re typically disbursed in advance of each semester and can be used to cover tuition, housing, food, transportation costs and more. Depending on your scholarship grant, money may either go directly to you or the institution that the student attends.
Students interested in applying for scholarships should begin by visiting their university’s study abroad department. These departments provide valuable insight into which programs are the most cost-effective, as well as listing any available study abroad scholarships to their students. There are also online scholarship search tools that allow users to quickly locate various general and specialized scholarship offerings; using such resources helps individuals better understand all types of funding available and more intelligent decisions about which scholarship best meets their needs.