Study abroad is often more affordable than people think. There are many ways for students to raise the money, including financial aid, scholarships, fund-raising, and sponsorship. The cost of a study abroad program depends on many factors, including destination and program length. Be sure to consider costs beyond the program fees, such as-

tuition and books
passport
some meals outside of those included in the program price
possible visa (not necessary for most programs)
possible immunizations (not necessary for most programs)
personal local transportation outside of program field trips and land transport (optional)
spending money for souvenirs and personal entertainment

How much should I budget?

It is difficult to make recommendations, but assume it will be no less than what you would spend on a domestic vacation. The items included in your program fee will vary. Know how much money you will require beyond what is paid for by the program fee. The amount you will need will depend on both your lifestyle and local costs. Be sure to have an emergency fund set aside. Your best resource is talking to other students who have been on similar programs and factoring in your personal spending habits.

[Download our Budget Worksheet]

Financial Aid

There are a variety of financial aid options available to undergraduate students participating in approved study abroad programs, including federal grants and federal and private loans. Your financial aid counselor can tell you what sources may be available to you. To apply, you must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on-line by visiting: www.fafsa.ed.gov. You can pick up a worksheet application from the Financial Aid Office on any campus. It is best to submit the application as soon as possible. Federal and State financial aid may be used towards study abroad programs sponsored both by GPC and the University System of Georgia. Some of these funds may apply to programs sponsored by institutions outside of the USG. You will need to consult a study abroad or financial aid advisor to find out which funds are and aren’t available in this case.

If a student has remaining financial aid eligibility, summer aid will disbursed the remaining amount based upon the credit hours enrolled. It is recommended that Study Abroad students apply for financial aid the semester prior to participating in this program. In other words, students shoudl apply in advance and save their fall and spring refunds in order to may program and tuition payments.
In addition to financial aid and scholarships, it is important to set aside some of your own money towards the cost of a program, and the sooner you start saving the better.
Some ideas for putting aside money include: Save your summer, fall, and spring refund checks from financial aid. Set aside a certain amount from every paycheck, or work during the holidays and set that money aside. Hold a yard sale, or sell some items on eBay or Craig’s List. Request money for birthdays and holidays rather than gifts. Get together with other program participants and hold a bake sale, car wash, or other fundraiser. Ask your place of work or place of worship to sponsor a special offering, dinner, fundraising event, or raffle and give the proceeds to study abroad.

HOPE

In order for your HOPE scholarship to apply to a study abroad program-

You must be in a matriculated status at a HOPE eligible institution in Georgia
The program sponsor must be a HOPE eligible institution in Georgia or,
The student’s home institution has approved the study abroad program for credit toward their degree program prior to departure AND the student is still considered to be in a matriculated status at a HOPE eligible institution in Georgia. (For programs by out of state and non-HOPE institutions.)

The Financial Aid Office may pay up to 90% of the limit of tuition that you would be charged at Georgia Perimeter College. The HOPE Scholarship will not cover all the tuition of another institution sponsoring a program. HOPE funds* cannot be used towards the cost of airfare, local transportation, housing, meals or other expenses associated with study abroad programs. *You should never receive a check for a remaining balance of HOPE funds. Please do not assume that you will be able to use HOPE funds beyond the costs associated with your home institution.

Stipends & Scholarships

GPC Study Abroad Scholarship (Jamaica)
Deadline: May 25, 2012 (for Jamaica only)
Description: For GPC students in any field of study to study abroad on an For use on approved GPC and USG summer study abroad programs.
Amount: Typically from $500 to $1,000
More Information: http://www.gpc.edu/gpcglobe/saa

GPC Access Asia Scholarship
Deadline: February 24, 2012
Description: For GPC students in any field of study with high academic performance to study abroad on summer programs to countries in Asia.
Amount: Up to $500
More Information: http://www.gpc.edu/gpcglobe/accessasia

GPC Aleyamma George Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: March 1, 2012
Description: For GPC students studying abroad in India through the, "The Wonder that is India" study abroad program.
Amount: $250 (awarded to 3 or 4 GPC students)
More Information: http://depts.gpc.edu/Foundation/scholarships.htm

GPC Foundation Scholarships
Deadline: various
Description: Many scholarships in the 'General' category, and some major specific awards, can be applied to the costs of your study abroad program.
Amount: various
More Information: http://depts.gpc.edu/Foundation/scholarships.htm

Benjamin A Gilman International Scholarship
Deadline: Application opens in October for Spring Programs/ Opens in January for Summer and Fall programs
Description: The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program offers grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies abroad. For Summer, Semester, and Year-long programs.
Amount: From $1,000 - $5,000
More Information: www.iie.org/en/Programs/Gilman-Scholarship-Program

Foundation for Global Scholars
Deadline: January 5, 2012
Description: The Foundation for Global Scholars offers three scholarships for eligible students engaging in study abroad programs. All three scholarships carry a requirement for the recipient to blog about their program, or give a presentation upon their return from abroad.
Amount: $500 - $1,500
More Information: www.foundationforglobalscholars.org/

Critical Languages Scholarship
Deadline: November 2012
Description: A program of United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program will offer intensive summer language institutes overseas in thirteen critical need foreign languages during the summer.
Amount: All expenses paid
More Information: http://clscholarship.org/

Fund for Education Abroad
Deadline: October 2012 for students planning to study abroad in the 2013-2014 academic year (i.e. Summer 2013, Fall 2013, Spring 2014).
Description: The Fund for Education Abroad offers three scholarships for students studying abroad for a minimum of four weeks between September and August of each application cycle. Applications for summer awards must be made one full academic year in advance. (apply by November 2012 for a summer program in 2013, or an academic year beginning in 2013.)
Amount: up to $10,000
More Information: http://fundforeducationabroad.org/

Boren Awards for International Study
Deadline: Jan 31, 2012
Description: Only good for programs of 8 weeks or longer. Boren Scholarships and Fellowships provide unique funding opportunities for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to add an important international and language component to their educations. Focus is on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study that are critical to U.S. national security, broadly defined, and underrepresented in study abroad.
Amount: up to $20,000 to U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.
More Information: www.borenawards.org/

Scholarships for Study in Asia

Scholarship for the Asia Council China Program
Only for participants studying abroad in Zhengzhou through the DSC sponsored Asia Council Program in China. Open to applicants from any USG school.

Freeman-ASIA
Freeman-ASIA accepts applications from U.S. citizens or permanent residents studying at the undergraduate level at a two-year or four-year college or university who demonstrate financial need to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia.

JASSO Scholarships for Study in Japan

Bridging Scholarship for Study in Japan
The Association of Teachers of Japanese Bridging Project offers scholarships to American undergraduate students participating in study-abroad programs in Japan.

Japan Study Support

Monbukagakusho (MEXT) Scholarship for study in Japan

Morgan Stanley Scholarships for Study in Japan

Scholarships for Study in Europe

Scholarship Portal- For study in Europe

DAAD Scholarships for Study in Germany

Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals

Education UK Scholarships

The American-Scandinavian Foundation

Other Sources

Rotary Club Ambassadorial Scholarships
The Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship program will end in 2013. Beginning in 2013-14, The Foundation will offer scholarship opportunities through district and global grants. This new grant structure gives Rotarians greater flexibility in sponsoring the next generation of leaders.
Website: http://www.rotary.org/en/StudentsAndYouth/EducationalPrograms/AmbassadorialScholarships/Pages/ridefault.aspx

IIE Passport Study Abroad Funding
http://www.studyabroadfunding.org/

NAFSA U.S. Study Abroad Scholarships and Grants
http://www.nafsa.org/students.sec/

CollegeBoard.com
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/pay/scholarships-and-aid/index.html

Diversity Abroad & Semester at Sea Scholarship
http://www.diversityabroad.com/scholarships/semester-at-sea

The Language Flagship
http://borenawards.org/the_language_flagship

Diversity Abroad Scholarships
http://www.diversityabroad.com/scholarships

FinAid Study Abroad Resources
http://www.finaid.org/otheraid/exchange.phtml#aid

GLBT Scholarships
http://www.hrc.org/issues/youth_and_campus_activism/8644.htm

IEFA International Education Financial Aid
http://www.iefa.org/

International Scholarships.com
http://www.internationalscholarships.com/

Thomson Peterson’s Scholarships
http://www.petersons.com/finaid/landing.asp?id=806&path=ug.pfs.scholarships