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Studying abroad is an investment in your future and involves a commitment to advance planning, careful time and money management, creativity, and perseverance. Financing your experience abroad is an integral part of that investment. The personal, academic, and professional rewards will last a lifetime.
There are various scholarships available that can help make your study-abroad experience less financially stressful. Researching scholarships can be tedious, but time spent finding and applying for funding opportunities can pay off.
This webpage will provide information and resources for your study abroad funding search. After reading the contents of this page, feel free to ask the staff of the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center (GEC) questions. We are here to help you!
Click on the links below to navigate this page.
The Office of Financial Planning has also created a Study Abroad and Financial Planning FAQ (pdf) to answer some common questions about Financial Planning and study abroad.
An Elon program is defined as a program approved by Elon University and the GEC. Consult the list of current Elon programs to see all approved programs.
You can apply Elon grants and scholarships and any federal aid toward an Elon program. If a program is a non-Elon program, you cannot use any Elon University grants or scholarships toward the program.
Average Cost: from $3,750 to $7,600 per course (2013)
Includes: Roundtrip international airfare, shared accommodations, all transportation while abroad, entrance fees associated with course events, mandatory international accident and health insurance, and some meals (where indicated).
Students are responsible for domestic flight arrangements within the U.S., baggage fees, all meals abroad that are not included in the program cost, medications/vaccines, and spending money. See program-specific information for details on what is not included on a particular program.
Average Cost: from $2,930 to $12,821 per course (2012)
Includes: Shared accommodations abroad, all transportation and entrance fees associated with course events, mandatory international accident and health insurance, some meals (where indicated), and summer tuition.
Students are responsible for all flight arrangements, all meals abroad that are not part of the program, medications/vaccines, and spending money. See a program's budget sheets in Elon Abroad for details on what is not included on a particular program.
Average Cost: Varies by program.
Costs are broken down into three categories:
Some semester programs abroad may be similar in cost to what a student would spend for a semester at Elon. See a program's budget sheets in Elon Abroad for specific financial information.
Using the information above, create a tentative budget to determine what financial assistance you may need for the period you want to study abroad. Take exchange rates into account when calculating your budget. Do not plan with the idea that you will work abroad.
Whether you already receive financial aid or you are applying for the first time, you must complete the Free Applicaiton for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, which can be found in the Office of Financial Planning or online. You must adhere to the same deadlines that apply for on-campus aid.
In order to be considered for further loans because of increased study abroad expenses, contact the Office of Financial Planning for an appointment after you have applied for a program through the GEC. Bring a copy of the semester, summer, or winter term cost information for your program when you meet with a financial planning advisor. Federal limitations apply.
The Isabella Cannon Global Education Center (GEC) offers scholarships based on financial need, available for Elon semester, summer, and winter term study abroad programs. Proof of need (FAFSA), an application for a need-based scholarship, and a budget form are required to apply. Awards are for up to $1,000.
The Bruns Endowment for International Service-Learning provides opportunities for students to learn about and develop a commitment to the importance of international service through an academic internship experience. Qualifying international service projects should be achieved through work with a non-governmental organization (NGO) or other non-religious based group abroad. Interested students should contact Paul Geis in the GEC to learn more about the program’s criteria and the financial sponsorship available. Limited funding is available annually. For more information on this program, visit the Bruns Endowment for Service-Learning brochure page.
Smith-Midgette Endowed Scholarship for International Study/Travel
Provides financial assistance for one or more students to study abroad and shall be awarded upon the recommendation of the department to a student who has shown solid academic performance and has demonstrated financial need. Students must be North Carolina residents, with preference to Alamance County residents. Essay required. For more information and to apply, visit the Department of History and Geography's Scholarships and Awards webpage.
Geography Program Study Abroad Essay Contest
Provides $500 to help defray the cost of studying abroad. Eligibility: Any Elon student who will be studying abroad through Elon or an Elon-approved program in the 2012-2013 academic year (summer or fall ‘12, winter or spring ‘13). Essay required. For more information and to apply, visit the Department of History and Geography's Scholarships and Awards webpage.
El Centro offers round-trip plane tickets (up to $600) to Spanish-speaking countries for Elon students who complete a minimum number of hours (140) of conversational Spanish classes. Check with El Centro for information on this program and for the most up-to-date guidelines and requirements.
Many of Elon’s Fellows and Scholars programs include a study-abroad grant. If you are an Elon Fellow or Scholar, check with your program director for the details of the study-abroad grant and the process for having it credited toward an Elon study-abroad program.
Below is a list of the Fellows and Scholars program directors.
Elon College Fellows | Isabella Cannon Leadership Fellows |
Business Fellows | Journalism & Communications Fellows Dr. Naeemah Clark, McEwen 107-A Ms. Alyssa Donohue, McEwen 101 |
OdysseyWatson Scholars | |
Honors Fellows |
Study Abroad Travel Grant Deadlines
All study-abroad travel grant forms must be turned in to GEC by 5 p.m. the day of the deadline. If the deadline falls on a day when the office is closed, forms are due by 5 p.m. on the next work day.
Established in 2007 through a gift from the Ward family - Dorothy Mears Ward GP’05 and ‘08, Tom and Beth Ward P’05 and ‘08, A.T. Ward ‘05, Christopher Ward ’08 and Chase Ward ‘14 - this $5,000 award annually recognizes one rising sophomore, junior or senior to support an experiential learning project. Student recipients must be in good academic and social standing. Demonstrated financial need is not a requirement but may be taken into account.
To apply students must submit an essay to the Office of the Vice President for Student Life, Alamance 109 by mid-February. The essay should describe the proposed project, explain its relevance to the student’s goals, make a compelling case for funding and list any other funding sources sought. Applications should include two letters of support from Elon faculty or staff members with whom the student has discussed their project. The top 6-8 candidates chosen by the selection committee will be invited to make a short presentation about their project in March.
Some of the Elon semester study-abroad program affiliates offer their own scholarships.
Students may apply for need-based scholarships for study in India for up to $6,000 for semester-length programs or $2,500 for summer term programs. Visit the Alliance for Global Education website for more information.
Arcadia offers need-based scholarships ranging from $500 to $2,000 for semester programs. For more information please visit the Arcadia University website.
CET offers scholarships to students studying abroad on CET programs ranging from $500 to $2,000 per semester. Information is available on the CET website.
CIEE offers several scholarships to students enrolling in CIEE semester programs. Additional information on the different scholarships can be found on the CIEE website.
DIS offers several different semester scholarships of various amounts. Scholarships are awarded for financial need and academic merit. For more information on DIS scholarships, please visit the DIS website.
FIE awards Sharif Rahman Scholarships. Each recipient receives $1,000. Visit FIE’s website for more information on these scholarships.
School for Field Studies (SFS) awards more than $180,000 in need-based scholarships each year with roughly one third of SFS students receiving some type of aid. The maximum award for a semester is $5,000. SFS also offers travel grants, which have been established to help offset the cost of travel to SFS programs. The Kenya program is given preference as the cost of airfare is significantly higher than other SFS programs. For more information on SFS funding, visit the SFS website.
Semester at Sea offers $4 million in scholarships to students in its program each year. Scholarships can be based on merit, diversity, work study, research or several other factors, with variable amounts of funding. Please visit the Semester at Sea website for more information.
The following scholarships are not connected to any specific Elon programs, but can be applied for on your own. All are awarded for semester or year-long study and are highly competitive. Many of these have very specific, detailed application requirements, so you should start researching them early.
The Association of American Study Abroad Programmes UK (AASAP) is offering an annual scholarship of £1,000 to a deserving study abroad student to pursue academic study in the United Kingdom. For more information, please download the Application information and reference guidance.
The Association of Teachers of Japanese Bridging Project offers scholarships to American undergraduate students participating in study-abroad programs in Japan. Funding from private foundations and major U.S. corporations has made it possible for ATJ to award 60-100 scholarships to assist students with the travel and living expenses they will incur while studying abroad in Japan for a semester or an academic year. For more information, please visit the ATJ website.
The Boren Scholarship, funded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP), is a unique opportunity for students interested in studying in world regions critical to U.S. interests. This can be a large scholarship—up to $10,000 for the semester or $20,000 for the year—and involves a federal service requirement after graduation from college. The program requirements are very specific and depend on location and level of language study. The list of geographic areas, languages, and fields of study that qualify are updated each year, so check the website for the most up-to-date information. Awards are based on merit and need, though need is not considered during the application process. Preference is given to applications for a full academic year of study abroad. NSEP also funds a graduate Boren Fellowship. Students must meet with the Elon campus representative no later than November 1 to apply for the following academic year. Visit the Boren Awards webpage for more information.
The Foundation for Global Scholars is committed to awarding scholarships to American students dedicated to enhancing their educational experience through study abroad. The "general" scholarship is awarded to students interested in participating in a semester study abroad, an internship, research, service learning, a summer program or a short term program. Transfer credit being earned from an academic program must apply to your degree being earned. The award amounts vary and range from $500 to $1500. The scholarship recipients are expected to communicate with the Foundation at least three times during their time abroad with the final correspondence being a reflection on how their international education experience has affected their future academic, career or personal goals or choices. Winter Term study abroad students are eligible for this scholarship. For more information, please visit the Foundation for Global Scholars website.
The FEA is committed to increasing the opportunities for dedicated American students to participate in high-quality, rigorous education-abroad programs by reducing financial restrictions through the provision of grants and scholarships. For more information on FEA scholarships, visit the Fund for Education Abroad website.
This scholarship will be awarded to a deserving LGBT student who aims to participate in a high-quality, rigorous education abroad program. Applicants must meet general FEA scholarship eligibility requirements & preferences. Students interested in being considered for this annual scholarship should indicate this through their application forms. More information can be found at the Fund for Education Abroad website
Gilman Scholarships are awarded to students receiving a Federal Pell Grant at the time of application. Awarded in amounts up to $5,000, the Gilman scholarship was established to help students of limited financial means study abroad for a semester or year. Only U.S. citizens are eligible to apply. You may be more competitive for this scholarship if you are studying in a non-traditional location, or are a member of a group traditionally underrepresented in study abroad. Also, if you are studying a “critical need language,” you may qualify for an additional scholarship. Visit the Gilman International Scholarship website for more information.
LIVFund is excited to offer its scholarship in 21 countries including Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay and Venezuela. The scholarship competition is open to anyone over 18 years of age and interested in learning, interning or volunteering in Latin America. Visit the LIVfund page for more information about this scholarship.
The Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society grants $1,000 to 50 students seeking to study abroad each year to students at institutions where there is a Phi Kappa Phi chapter. Applicants do not need to be individual members of the society or a US citizen to apply. Applicants must have acumulative GPA of 3.75 or above. Students must also show proof of acceptance into a study abroad program. The application deadline is generally April 1 for students studying abroad anytime from the summer immediately following the deadline through part of the next summer. Visit www.phikappaphi.org for the most up-to-date information.
Rotary sometimes has funding to give scholarships for study abroad. One of the common scholarships is called the Ambassadorial Scholarship. Visit www.rotary.org for more information on what is currently available.
There are several additional scholarship and financial aid opportunities for students planning to study in Israel and at the University of Haifa. Information about other scholarships can be found on the sponsoring organizations’ websites:
STA Travel Inc. offers this award to help achieve their aim of creating opportunities for deserving students to study abroad to learn about themselves as well as experience the world around them. This scholarship is awarded to students interested in participating in a semester study abroad, an internship, research, service learning, a summer program or a short term program. In addition, students should be in a degree program, academic area of study or academic major at their home university in one of the following areas in order to apply for the STA Travel Scholar Award:
• Photography
• Film and Art
• Travel and Tourism
• International Business
• International Studies or
• Foreign Language
STA Travel Scholar awarded is given in amount increments of $2,500. Winter Term study abroad students are eligible for this scholarship. For more information, please visit the Foundation for Global Scholars website.
