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Financial Matters
Myth: Studying abroad is really expensive! You have to be rich to study abroad!
Reality: You don’t have to be rich to study abroad – you have to be RESOURCEFUL!! For instance, did you know that most financial aid may be applied to a semester program abroad? Or were you aware that there are special scholarships available just for study abroad?? And did you know that there are web sites devoted specifically to searching for funding for study abroad programs? The money to help you go abroad is out there, you just have to know where to look and you have to start planning NOW!
The Office of Education Abroad offers information on program costs and funding opportunities for FIU students to go abroad, as well as offering a limited number of scholarships.
Using your Financial Aid
Each student who wishes to use financial aid must complete the FAFSA form, found on the web at http://www.fiu.edu/orgs/finaid If the study abroad program is during the summer, he/she must also complete the summer application for financial aid, if applicable (available on the same website). Financial aid is NOT automatic for the summer semester.* Each student’s eligibility for financial aid is determined by the information submitted on their FAFSA form, including their income, their parents’ income, etc. The FIU Financial Aid Office (located in PC 125) has all the information you may need to start this process.
* Summer is treated as the third semester in the academic year. As such, eligibility for most grants has likely run out, however, a student always has eligibility for a student loan. The amount of the loan will depend on the class level (i.e., freshman, sophomore, etc). Pre-paid tuition may apply to study abroad programs in any semester. For semester programs (fall / spring) Bright Futures may also apply. Students should meet with an advisor in the financial aid office to discuss eligibility and disbursement options. FIU Sponsored Scholarships
The Office of Education Abroad at FIU awards need-based scholarships for some study abroad programs.
OEA Study Abroad Scholarship
Scholarships are 300 to 500 Dollars and are need-based. Students participating in FIU Sponsored summer programs, and who have completed a FAFSA, and who have demonstrated financial need that has not been met, may be eligible for this scholarship. NOTE: This scholarship is not open to International Student Exchange Program applicants. Application deadlines vary by semester and applications are available online. Contact the Office of Education Abroad for more information, 305-348-1913. Click here to apply for study abroad scholarship.
TOPOther Sources of Support
In addition to FIU Financial Aid and scholarships, students may apply to any of the following programs to obtain funds for your study abroad experience:
Searchable databases of funding opportunities for study abroad:
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Programwww.iie.org/gilman Awards up to 5,000 to U.S. undergraduates planning to study abroad. Applicant must: be a U.S. citizen; be receiving a Federal Pell Grant or provide proof that he/she will be receiving a Pell Grant at the time of application or during the term of their study abroad; be applying to, or have been accepted into, a study abroad program at least 4 weeks in length. Summer only programs are not eligible.
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Application Deadline for Fall & Academic Year: |
April 15 |
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Spring 2010: October 6 |
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Bridging Scholarships for Study Abroad in Japan
http://www.colorado.edu/ealc/atj/Bridging/scholarships.html
The Association of Teachers of Japanese Bridging Project offers scholarships to American undergraduate students participating in study-abroad programs in Japan. Open to Undergraduate students majoring in any field of study. Japanese language study is not a prerequisite. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Recipients receive a stipend of 2,500 (for semester-long programs) or 4,000 (for academic year programs). Summer only programs are not eligible. Each scholarship recipient will be expected to send a brief report about his or her study in Japan to the ATJ office within 60 days of returning from abroad.
| Application deadline Spring 2010: |
October 6 |
Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship
http://www.rotary.org/
| Application deadline: |
Early October, annually |
National Security Education Program (NSEP)
http://www.borenawards.org/
The National Security Education Program (NSEP) provides a unique funding opportunity for U.S. students to study world regions critical to U.S. interests (including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America & the Caribbean, and the Middle East). The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.
For more information about NSEP scholarships, schedule an appointment with Dr. Bill Beestingat 305-348-2800.
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