Augustana students are often surprised at how affordable study abroad can be. In fact, some students are amazed to learn that the costs can sometimes be less for a semester abroad than a semester at Augustana. With technology and globalization rapidly making the world a smaller, more interconnected place, we believe that an international experience while in college is an integral part not only to a liberal arts education, but to students’ personal development and future professional success. Therefore, we are dedicated to helping students find affordable, high-quality study abroad programs.

Study abroad programs can vary greatly in cost, depending on variables like location, duration, the exchange rate, and many other factors. Some programs have added benefits like excursions and an on-site director, while others are essentially a direct enrollment situation. Visit with your academic advisor and the International Programs Office staff and we’ll find help you find the program that best fits your academic, personal, and financial needs and interests. The International Programs Office will provide you with a cost estimate for the program you are interested in.  The Financial Aid Office will then determine individual financial aid eligibility. 

Short-term study abroad programs like those offered during J-Term and Spring Break generally represent an “extra” cost to students since Augustana does not charge tuition on campus during those periods.  Still, the shorter nature of these types of programs sometimes costs less than longer programs and may fit best into your academic plan.

Students considering longer-term study abroad as in semester or year-long programs get the most “bang for their buck.” In this case, students keep 100 percent of their outside scholarships and federal aid. Students on semester or year-long programs may also keep a prorated amount of their Augustana institutional aid ranging from 0-60 percent. The determination of whether a student is allowed to apply any Augustana institutional aid toward study abroad expenses is contingent upon three factors:  the cost of the program selected, Augustana's current costs and the amount of Augustana institutional aid the student normally receives.  Participation scholarships like music, theatre, and athletics generally do not apply towards study abroad costs.

SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

The Gilman Scholarship, funded by the U.S. State Department, provides up to $5,000 in additional grants for students currently receiving Pell Grant funding as part of their financial aid package. Preference is given to students from diverse backgrounds, those pursuing semester or year-length programs, students with science majors, and those interested in non-traditional locations - though it is not limited to students who fit that criteria. About one in three applications are accepted, so if you receive a Pell Grant, be sure to apply! Students interested in pursuing Critical Languages (Chinese, Arabic, Korean, Russian, etc.) can receive up to an additional $3,000. Students going abroad for Spring Semester must apply by October 1; those going abroad for Fall Semester must apply by March 1.

The Freeman-ASIA Scholarship, administered by the Institute for International Education (IIE), provides financial support to American undergraduates with demonstrated financial need to study abroad for academic credit during the summer, semester or academic year in one of 15 countries/regions in East and Southeast Asia:   Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Award amounts vary from $3,000 - $7,000 depending on the length of study.

 The Boren Scholarship, funded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP), provides up to $10,000 for a semester or $20,000 for a full academic year abroad. Study of a Critical Need foreign language must be an integral part of each student’s application and the study abroad program must broadly relate to national security issues. In return for the high level of funding, students must commit to working for the federal government for a minimum of one year following graduation. The application process is competitive and students must apply by February.

The Foundation for Global Scholars has several scholarships available to assist undergraduate college students in achieving their personal and professional goals of obtaining cultural and academic experiences throughout the world.  The foundation focuses on providing support to underrepresented students including students from low income families, students from diverse ethnic backgrounds, students from underrepresented academic majors, students with mobility impairments, students from the Rocky Mountain geographic region and first-generation students.  Funding amounts vary. 

DiversityAbroad.com offers ten $500 scholarships to students who have been accepted into a study abroad program with a diversityabroad.com partner organization for the 2012 fall and spring semesters. Students who are economically disadvantaged, part of an ethnic minority or those planning to study in non-traditional locations (outside western Europe and Australia) are strongly encouraged to apply. Applicants should be enrolled full-time a U.S. college or university with a 2.75 G.P.A. and be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident. Recipients of these scholarships should be willing to share their experiences by blogging several times a week while abroad.

The Corinne Jeannine Schillings Foundation provides Travel Study Awards to Silver or Gold Award Girl Scouts who plan to study abroad regardless of major/minor. The scholarship provides $1,000USD directly to the recipient and is for undergraduate study during first semester, second semester, summer, and academic year only.

The German Academic Exchange Service provides monthly stipend awards to students planning to study at a German university for a semester, summer or year.  Applications are due by January 31 PRIOR to the academic year in which the student plans to study.

LIVFund has a scholarship program for anyone who wants to learn, intern or volunteer [LIV] abroad in Latin America.  They award two [2] scholarships per month in the amount of USD$500 to people studying, interning or volunteering abroad in the following 21 Latin American countries: Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Venezuela.

Rotary International offers a variety of scholarships for study abroad.  Contact your local Rotary Club for details.

The British Universities Transatlantic Exchange Association (BUTEX) awards a number of scholarships to students studying in England for either a semester or for a whole academic year.  The value of each scholarship is £500 and will be paid to the winners once they have arrived and registered at their host university.

The British Council provides a scholarship search engine for study in the United Kingdom.

The Glimpse Foundation seeks talented writers, photographers and filmmakers who will be studying abroad for a minimum of 10 weeks.  Each selected participant will receive a $600 grant and will see their work published in Glimpse and National Geographic media.

Sara's Wish Foundation was established to perpetuate the memory of Sara Christie Schewe, killed in a fatal bus crash in India in 1996 while participating in the University of Pittsburgh's Semester at Sea Program. Sara's Wish Foundation scholarships are awarded to extraordinary young women committed to making the world a better place by fully participating in it. Applicants must possess a commitment to public service, a strong record of scholarship, a history of leadership experience, a sincere interest in the work of Sara's Wish Foundation and a willingness to join with Sara's Wish Foundation in its ongoing efforts to improve safety awareness.  Traditional study abroad programs will not be funded.

Many of our approved program providers have their own scholarship programs. Find even more resources for study abroad funding at www.studyabroadfunding.org, www.internationalscholarships.com,  www.gooverseas.com, and www.fundforeducationabroad.com.  You can also conduct an online search for scholarship funding through the International Study and Travel Center at the University of Minnesota.