Education Abroad has created an Easy Guide to Study Abroad Scholarships to help students get started. This guide should not be considered an exhaustive list of all scholarships. Education Abroad encourages students to independently search for additional sources of financial aid.
Education Abroad Scholarships
Education Abroad Grant-in-Aid, for all undergraduate Penn State students participating in semester and year-long programs.
Education Abroad Diversity Grant-in-Aid, for ethnic minority students and students with disabilities (undergraduates) participating in semester and year-long programs.
This section provides an overview of financial aid, cost considerations, Education Abroad funding resources and other tips to help fund your study abroad.
Click to view the "Paying the Way" Financial Aid Presentation for more details on funding opportunities.
Student Aid
Contact the Office of Student Aid concerning your eligibility for student financial aid while on your Penn State study abroad program. Penn State students studying through Education Abroad can use most components of their existing financial aid packages toward the cost of study abroad through Penn State programs. Exceptions would be work-study awards and some athletic scholarships.
If you are not studying on an EA approved program, you are not eligible to receive financial aid from Penn State toward your study abroad program as Penn State does not participate in financial consortium agreements.
Penn State University Fellowships Office: The University Fellowships Office is Penn State's source of information
on scholarships and fellowships funded by sources other than the
University.
The following is a sampling of databases that have been designed to provide students with information on various funding opportunities.
Resources in your home town may prove to be a valuable component of your search.
Make a list of potential organizations, clubs, and businesses you could contact such as:
Service Clubs - Consider Rotary, Lions, Kiwanis, etc.
Town Hall - Go to your town hall and ask if there are any local scholarships.
Chamber of Commerce - Visit the Chamber of Commerce to see if there are any opportunities there. Use them as a springboard to locally-owned businesses.
Local Newspaper - Demonstrate your writing abilities to them.
Your High School - Go to the guidance department of the high school you graduated from and inquire.
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.
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.
Your Employer - If you hold a job, ask your boss if there are any scholarships available to workers in the company.
Set up appointments when you are home.
You may have a better greater chance of being considered if you can meet face-to-face with the appropriate representative.
You should also give some details about your study abroad program: where it is located, what you will be studying, and how you will integrate this program into both your course of study at Penn State and into your own future.
Be specific – Ask for help with:
Your airline ticket
Your books
Required field trips
Think about ways you can give back to the community
Give a comprehensive slide show of your experience
Talk to students at your high school
Do a presentation on where you went at your local community center
