Understanding Study Abroad Scholarships & Financial Aid
There are a number of financial aid and scholarship options for students who want to study abroad! Read below to find out what’s available for the different programs SUU offers.
Semester Study Abroad Programs:
- You will be charged SUU tuition and student fees, NOT the international university’s tuition and fees.
- Any of the financial aid and scholarships you normally receive at SUU will be applied to your student account in the same way they would if you were studying at SUU.
- Scholarships for semester study abroad, ranging from $1,000-$2,000, are available through the Global Engagement Center. To apply, fill out the application located at http://www.suu.edu/academics/studyabroad/semester.html. Don’t forget to complete and turn in the accompanying essay! To be eligible for a study abroad scholarship, you must:
- Have a 3.5 or higher GPA and/or
- Qualify for financial aid
- Special scholarships are available for students who are the first to exchange to a particular international partner university.
- You can also apply for scholarships from other entities. Some resources can be found at http://www.suu.edu/academics/studyabroad/financing.html.
- When applying for Federal Financial Aid, remember that although student loans aren’t as ideal as grants, they may make your study abroad possible if you can’t afford it otherwise.
- You may also apply for student loans through your personal bank or credit union.
- Fundraisers are another way to raise money for studying abroad. Former study abroad students have done several different things to try and raise money this way. Be creative, and contact the Global Engagement Center if you would like to hear about some things students have done in the past.
Summer Study Abroad Programs:
- Summer study abroad scholarships, ranging from $500-$800, are available through the Global Engagement Center. To apply, fill out the application located at http://www.suu.edu/academics/studyabroad/summer.html. Don’t forget to complete and turn in the accompanying essay! To be eligible for a study abroad scholarship, you must:
- Have a 3.5 or higher GPA and/or
- Qualify for Financial Aid
- Special scholarships are available for students who study abroad in Africa, Latin America, or the Middle East
- You can also apply for scholarships from other entities. Some resources can be found at http://www.suu.edu/academics/studyabroad/financing.html.
- Beginning in 2012, Federal Financial Aid will no longer be available for summer studies. However, you may choose to take out any leftover fall and spring grant and loan money after your tuition and fees have been paid, and apply that to your summer study abroad program.
- Fundraisers are another way to raise money for studying abroad. Former study abroad students have done several different things to try and raise money this way. Be creative, and contact the Global Engagement Center if you would like to hear about some things students have done in the past.
National Student Exchange:
- Tuition for National Student Exchange programs can be charged in one of two ways:
- Plan A. Under this plan you will pay the resident tuition and fees of your host school directly to the host school.
- Plan B. Under this plan you will pay your normal tuition and fees to SUU.
- Not all schools offer both plans, and some have restrictions on how many students can be accepted under each plan. Make sure you check the restrictions of any schools you are interested in exchanging to, and contact the Global Engagement Center if you have any questions about these restrictions.
- When you fill out your FAFSA, make sure to list SUU and all of the schools you are applying to for exchange.
- If you qualify for Federal Financial Aid, it will be applied to your tuition on either plan. If you exchange on Plan A, financial aid will be disbursed by your host school. If on Plan B, it will be disbursed by SUU.
- If you have any scholarships, contact Shauna Fay in the SUU Financial Aid Office to find out if your scholarship can be used on either plan.
