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Guide to Seeking Money for Study Abroad
You can afford to study abroad!
TRAVEL VOUCHER
All freshmen entering Goucher in the Fall of 2006 or after will receive one travel voucher of $1,200 each to use towards a study abroad program. (Students who participate in the International Scholars Program will receive $3,000 vouchers.) Students may apply their vouchers to Goucher and non-Goucher programs. Vouchers are applied directly to the student account in the event that the student attends a Goucher program; if a student participates in a non-Goucher program, Goucher transfers the voucher amount directly to the sponsoring institution or program provider. Please contact OIS with specific voucher questions.
HOW AND WHEN TO RESEARCH
Time is usually a student’s largest constraint when searching for scholarships and grants. We suggest that you start as early as possible; however, the sections below tell you what to do given the time you have left prior to departing for your study abroad program.
If you have….
· 18 months before departure: Use all sections.
· 9 months until fall departure: Complete the procedures in Section 1 and investigate all sections that follow.
· 3 – 6 months before fall departure: You have missed most deadlines for the large national and international scholarships. Therefore, you may want to spend your available time investigating Sections II – IV.
· Less than 3 months until fall departure: Consult Section II.
· 9 months or less until spring departure: You have missed most deadlines for the large national and international scholarships. Therefore, you may want to spend your available time investigating Sections II – IV.
**If you are a FRESHMAN , congratulations! By researching your options early, you are in the best possible position for finding financial aid for studying abroad. You will discover that many scholarships require you to apply a year or more prior to your departure date. It is never too early to start searching.
The Financial Aid Office
Financial Aid is located in Student Administrative Services in Dorsey 104. This office is responsible for administering all federal, state and campus-based aid. Financial Aid is based on a calculation which relates your financial need (and your family’s ability to contribute) to the cost of your education. Some Financial Aid can be used for study abroad. If you go on a Goucher program, all Goucher scholarships/aid and federal aid can be applied to the program. Sometimes awards need to be adjusted. You need to meet with a Financial Aid officer to find out about this. If you go on a non-Goucher program, you CANNOT use any Goucher-based aid or scholarships. Federal aid MAY apply. Meet with a financial aid officer to find out about this.
Sources at Home
Resources in your hometown may prove to be a valuable component of your search, especially if you or your parents have been active in the community. The following is a list of possible sources of money for you.
1. Service Clubs: Inquire at your hometown Lions, Kiwanis, Women’s and other service clubs.
2. Town Hall: Go to your hometown town hall and ask if there are any local scholarships.
3. Chamber of Commerce: Visit the Chamber of Commerce to see if there are any opportunities.
4. Your High School: Go to the guidance department of the high school you graduated from and inquire.
5. Religious Organizations: If you belong to a church, synagogue or other religious organization, ask the person in charge of finances if there are any scholarships, grants or loans available.
6. Family Employers: Ask your parents and other members of your family to check at work and see if their company offers aid to sons, daughters, or relatives of workers.
7. Your Employer: If you hold a job, ask your boss if there are any scholarships available to workers in the company.
Sources Around Campus
· You can apply for a Goucher College International Studies Scholarship when you apply for your program. Scholarship application directions are located on all Goucher and non-Goucher program applications.
· Ask around the department of your major or minor to see if anything is available.
· Tell anyone on campus who will listen about your financial aid search and ask them to keep their eyes and ears open for any information, which could help.
· If you receive any kind of veteran’s benefit, check to see if you can use it for studying abroad.
State Aid and International Programs & Organizations
|
Scholarship |
Eligibility Requirements |
Amount |
Deadline |
Contact |
|
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship |
Receive the Federal Pell Grant; must be abroad more than four weeks (cannot be applied to summer programs) in any country of study |
Maximum of $5000 |
Fall/FY 2008: April 15th, 2008 Spring 2009: October 7th 2008 |
Angie Shaeffer OIS 410.337.6444 |
|
NSEP David L. Boren Scholarship |
Must study for more than eight weeks in Africa, Asia, Central or Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Caribbean, the Middle East, or a Newly Indep. State (NIS); commit to at least one year of government service |
Summer: Max. $8,000 Semester: Max. $10,000 Year: Max. $20,000 |
For any term of the 2009-2010 year: Dec. 2008 |
Angie Shaeffer OIS 410.337.6444 |
|
Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships |
Must study for a year in a country that is a Rotary member; two years of college and fluency in destination country’s language |
Max. $25,000 |
For 2009-2010: Between Mar. 1st & July 15th 2008 |
Local Rotary Clubs: Directory found at www.rotary.org |
|
Rotary Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarships |
Must study on an intensive language program for 3-6 months |
Max. $12,000 for three months; $19,000 for six |
For 2009-2010: Between Mar. 1st & July 15th 2008 |
Local Rotary Clubs: Directory found at www.rotary.org |
|
Freeman-ASIA Awards www.iie.org/programs/freeman-asia |
Must study in Asia for more than eight weeks; limited or no prior experience with country; must have financial need |
Summer: Max. $3000 Semester: Max. $5000 Year: Max. $7000 |
Summer 08: Mar. 5th 2008 Fall/AY 08: Apr. 2nd 2008 Spring 2009: Oct. 17th 2008 |
Angie Shaeffer OIS 410.337.6444 |
|
Goucher College Office of International Studies Scholarships |
Available for all Goucher study abroad programs, and for approved semester or year-long non-Goucher programs |
Typically between $200-$1000 |
Express interest in program application |
Office of International Studies 410.337.6455 |
|
Maryland International Education Association Scholarships www.newtowson.edu/miea |
Must be a Maryland resident with a G.P.A. of 3.2 or higher |
$250-500 |
Fall 2008: April 14th Winter or Spring 2009: Oct. 20th 2008 |
MIEA Office 410.704.2919 |
The Library
The Julia Roberts Library is an excellent place to continue your hunt. Look in the reference section for books on financial aid and scholarships. Several books are specifically related to international opportunities. Other scholarship/financial aid books found in the same location are as follows:
1. Financial Aid for Research and Creative Activities Abroad. Call # 378.3 S297F
2. Financial Aid for Study and Training Abroad. Call # 378.3 S297fi Look through these books’ indexes for…
- your major - your minor - the country where you plan to study - the state where you live now - your ethnic origin - handicaps/disabilities - your job - your hobbies or interests - sports you play - university clubs/groups of which you are a member - religious orientation - things that pertain to your parents (e.g. children of veterans)
Be sure to look under ALL headings. Write down important addresses, phone numbers and names. Save all of your notes so that you can use them later.
Some other books to look for in public libraries or bookstores are:
1. Dan Cassidy’s Worldwide College Scholarship Directory. Daniel J. Cassidy. National Scholarship Research Service. Franklin Lakes, NJ: Career Press, 1995.
2. Financial Resources for International Study: A Guide for US Students and Professionals. Marie O’Sullivan, ed. New York, NY: Institute for International Education, 1996.
World Wide Web links
Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants
Fifty $1,000 grants are awarded each year to help support undergraduates as they seek knowledge and experience in their academic fields by studying abroad.
BUTEX North American Scholarships
Eight $1000 scholarships are awareded each year to currently registered students at US universities who will study abroad at a BUTEX member institution in the UK.
Glimpse Correspondents Program Grants
The Glimpse Foundation and The National Geographic Society are seeking talented writers, photographers, and filmmakers. Each selected participant will receive a $600 grant and will see their work published in Glimpse and National Geographic media.
Becasmae
Scholarship opportunity for students taking Language and Culture courses in Spain.
If you are participating in an ISA (International Studies Abroad) program, please take a look at their many scholarship opportunities: http://www.studiesabroad.com/admissions/document/scholarships
Diversity Abroad Scholarships These scholarships are meant to promote diversity in study abroad by helping underrepresented students study internationally.