Studying Abroad on a Budget
Posted on March 3, 2022 by Charlotte Amsbaugh
One of the biggest concerns students have when considering studying abroad is money. Will I be able to afford it? Will my financial aid apply? What about airfare and lodging? For me, the answer was simple: I found a scholarship that worked for my Korean language course abroad, and all I had to do was talk to a teacher in that department about it. There are many resources to make it affordable for every student, no matter their financial situation! The Office of International Education has their own scholarship fund of $100,000- that’s money designated just for South students who want to go abroad. Colleges and departments have their own scholarship allotments, like the one I received that was specifically for lesser taught languages. There are also plenty of external scholarships to be found. What about scholarships and financial aid that are not designated for studying abroad? Many regular scholarships and aid awards (such as grants) are applicable to USA approved study abroad programs! When in doubt, the financial aid office is able to let you know if your package will apply to your desired program(s). Are there other ways to cover the costs of studying abroad? Of course! A less considered option to raise money is using a crowdfunding site like Gofundme. Plenty of students have used this method and earned money they would not otherwise have for food, airfare, or any other costs! Finances were my biggest concern as someone who relies on grants and loans to pay for my college, but I was easily able to get every expense covered by scholarships, meaning my study abroad experience was entirely free to me! The resources are out there, don’t be afraid to utilize them.