Financial Aid Options

Paying for a summer, semester or even year to study abroad is not as difficult as you might first think. This list, although never complete, will give you information on existing aid and assist you in finding other sources in which you may not be aware.

  1. MTSU’s Study Abroad Scholarship: The MTSU Study Abroad Scholarship application for students participating on Summer 2012, Fall 2012, and Full Year 2012-13 is now posted here!
    Questions about the scholarship? Check out our flyer!
    I want a study abroad scholarship!
  2. Program-specific scholarships: There are various programs offered through the Office of Education Abroad, many of which have their own unique scholarships to help students with expenses abroad. Please check the following websites to find out about any possible opportunities and procedures for applying.
    AMIDEAST: http://www.amideast.org/abroad/programs/heritage/default.shtm
    CCSA: CCSA may have a small scholarship available for applicants. After you have applied for a CCSA program, you will be contacted if a scholarship is available.
    KIIS: http://www.kiis.org/go/Scholarships.php
    ISEP: http://www.isep.org/students/Programs/financial_aid_scholarships.aspdfs
    ISA: http://www.studiesabroad.com/interested/document/scholarships
    GlobaLinks (AustraLearn, AsiaLearn, EuroLearn): http://www.globalinksabroad.org/study_abroad/scholarships/ (Click on Study Abroad, then Scholarships)
    Learning Abroad Center, U of M: http://umabroad.umn.edu/financial/scholarships/nonUofmScholarship.html
  3. Other MTSU financial aid: There are various other sources of financial aid that MTSU can offer directly, in the form of scholarships and loans. It is advisable to search out all scholarship opportunities before using federal loans, however many students take out loans as a safety net in case problems arise abroad. Go to the financial aid website for more information or contact Judith Fogus in the Financial Aid Office at (615) 898-2247.
  4. Hanban Funding Confucius Institute Scholarship: This scholarship will support MTSU students who want to study at Northwest Normal University (NWNU) on exchange in China for Chinese Language Programs. Please see this flyer for more details.
  5. Phi Kappa Phi scholarship: This scholarship is given to dozens of students (membership in Phi Kappa Phi unnecessary) annually who are studying abroad with at least a 3.5 GPA and between 56 and 90 credit hours at the date of application. In addition, you must already be accepted into your program of choice and leave between May 1st and June 30th. For the application form and current deadlines, check out the website and be sure to apply early.
  6. Gilman scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to US citizens that are recipients of Pell Grants. The length of study has a minimum of four weeks; students who have never been abroad before and are traveling to non-Western European nations are the most competitive. For the application form and current deadlines, check out the website and be sure to apply early.
  7. Boren scholarship: NSEP (National Security Education program) will award students up to $10,000 for undergraduate students studying in non-traditional (non-Western European) areas. This is a competitive scholarship, so apply early at http://www.borenawards.org/.
  8. Rotary scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to study abroad students going on programs that promote humanitarian studies and goals. Up to $26,000 for a year-long program may be awarded for competitive scholars. Information for this opportunity can be found at http://www.rotary.org/en/StudentsAndYouth/EducationalPrograms/AmbassadorialScholarships/Pages/ridefault.aspx
  9. Bridging scholarship: Students going to Japan are eligible for this scholarship of $2500 for one semester or $4000 for one academic year, even without proficiency in Japanese language. One hundred scholarships are awarded annually so apply early and go to the website for more information.
  10. Freeman Asia: The primary goal of Freeman-ASIA is to increase the number of U.S. undergraduates who study abroad in East and Southeast Asia. Award amounts vary from up to $3000.00 for a summer term (must be 8 weeks in length), up to $5000.00 for a semester, and up to $7000.00 for an academic year. Click on their website for eligibility requirements and application details.
  11. Fulbright, and other International Competitive Undergraduate Opportunities: http://www.mtsu.edu/honors/ufo/intl_competitive_undergraduate_opportunities.shtml
    The Undergraduate Fellowships Office (UFO) is housed in the Paul W. Martin Sr. Honors Building, Room 227. The primary objective for the UFO is to assist MTSU's undergraduates in competing for a range of prestigious national and international scholarships and fellowships. These include, among many others, the Fulbright, Goldwater, Marshall, Rhodes, Truman, and the Udall fellowship programs.
  12. DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service): http://www.daad.org
    Undergraduate or graduate students are invited to apply for scholarships funding study, senior thesis research and/or internships in Germany. The goal of this program is to support study abroad in Germany and at German universities. Scholarships are available either as part of an organized study abroad program or as part of an individual, student-designed study abroad semester or year.
  13. Fund for Education Abroad (FEA): http://www.fundforeducationabroad.com (Pay attention to the early deadline!)
    Scholarships, of up to $5000, are intended to support students planning to participate in a high-quality, rigorous education abroad programs of 4-weeks or longer.
  14. FISL:  http://www.fisl.org/apply.php
    The Fund for International Service Learning (FISL) is offering $500 scholarships to aid students who are enrolled (or in the process of enrolling) in an accredited International Service Learning program. Recipients are selected based on their academic and professional goals and accomplishments, as well as financial need.
  15. Diversity Study Abroad Scholarships:http://www.diversityabroad.com/minority-study-abroad-scholarships
    Diversity Abroad partners with dozens of study abroad organizations. Several of these organizations offer diversity study abroad scholarships.
  16. General Search Engine for Study Abroad Funding Opportunities: www.studyabroadfunding.org
    This valuable funding resource allows students to search by country or subject to find study abroad funding information. It is a comprehensive database of study abroad scholarships, fellowships, and grants can help make any student’s dream of studying abroad a financial possibility and a profound reality.