With study abroad informational sessions coming up, students are wondering where they will be getting money for their adventures.
Carly Sanders, a junior in international studies, said she is planning to study abroad and hopes funds are continuing to stay available for the trips she wants to take.
“I’m planning to study abroad in Japan, which is really expensive, so I hope there is still money,” she said.
Sam Morris, Study Abroad assessment coordinator, said funds have not decreased significantly in the past year.
“Office scholarships are down a little, but not enough to affect lots of students,” he said.
The office does not provide independent donor scholarships. Instead, it receives money from the provost’s office. The main difference over the years in study abroad aid is a result of an increase in the number of students applying for the same amount of money. This money has not decreased, Morris said.
“Individual colleges are offering more money in some cases, especially CHASS. In the past they have not offered a specific study abroad scholarship due to some miscommunication but this year they are offering a scholarship, which balances out the slight decrease in funds in other areas,” he said.
Assistant Director of Financial aid Lashawn Cooper said the economy has not affected the number of students applying for study abroad.
“Study abroad is still really well participated in and increasingly popular even with the economy’s status,” she said.
Students are eligible to use financial aid awarded from the University as long as they are full-time. For summer programs, a student must take six hours to receive funds. If they are not taking six hours of credit abroad then they will need to make up the difference during the other summer session upon their return.
There are five different types of study abroad programs.
To choose a study abroad program, students schedule meetings with advisers, pick what classes they want them to count for their audit and then start the process of applying and looking for aid if applicable.
According to Cooper, students can use any type of aid for any program, regardless of the sponsor. Aid applications for fall and spring trips receive aid during the year which can exhaust funds for summer programs. The bulk of summer coverage is in the form of federal and private loans.
Students are advised by the Study Abroad Office to apply early, even before they pick a trip, to have the best chance at aid. Students who have not applied for any type of financial aid at the University before must fill out a FASFA before they will be considered for study abroad aid.
“By the time summer rolls around most funds are exhausted so students should apply for aid as soon as they think they will want to study abroad. It is important to apply regardless of whether you think you will get any or not,” Cooper said.
