How to Apply
What about financial aid?
The Center for Ecological Living and Learning has developed its semester programs to be as affordable as possible to all students. Students may find that the costs of participating in a CELL semester program are less than the semester costs of attending a college or university back home.
According to the Higher Education Act of 1992, college students can receive financial aid for study abroad if they are enrolled in a program that is approved by their home institution. Furthermore, students are eligible to receive government funding even though the study-abroad program may not be “required” as part of the student’s degree. Federal law also states that financial aid can cover all “reasonable” costs associated with a study abroad program, including:
- Tuition and fees for the program
- Transportation costs
- Living expenses
- Passport & Visa fees
- Health insurance
Studying Abroad is more than an adventure: it’s an investment in your future. According to the American Council on Education: “Unless today’s students develop the competence to function effectively in a global environment, they are unlikely to succeed in the 21st century. A CELL study abroad program will develop your competence “to function effectively in a global environment” while learning the principles and practices of “sustainability through community.” CELL is committed to offering accessible semester abroad programs for anyone who would like “to be the change s/he wishes to see in the world.”
You may be asking: “Where do I start in researching financial aid options for my study abroad program?” Here are some suggestions:
First, the best place to look for financial aid for your study abroad program is your home college/university study abroad office and/or college financial aid office. Your federal/state loans and scholarships will often apply to your study abroad program with CELL. Your study abroad and financial aid offices as well as your academic advisor may also be aware of additional loans and grant opportunities that may be available to you, including your own school’s institutional aid.
You should also consider your personal resources, extended family, and businesses where family members work and organizations that your family members belong to as they may have educational loan or scholarship programs. Below are additional sources of aid to fund your study abroad program.
- Gilman International Scholarship Program with grants up to $5,000 for those who receive U.S. Pell Grants.
- Sara’s Wish Foundation travel scholarships for young women
- Rotary International The Rotarians offer a variety of scholarships and have local clubs throughout the U.S.
- The Amy Adine Schulman Scholarship Fund The grant requires a commitment to educate others through lecture, presentation, program or other activities upon returning to your home or school community. You must be willing and able to do this so others will have the opportunity to learn about and to be inspired to do similar work.
- Boren Scholarship provides up to $20,000 to U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin American, and the Middle East. Applicants should identify how their study abroad program, as well as their future academic and career goals, will contribute to U.S. national security, broadly defined.
- Diversity Abroad – has partnered with several organizations to offer study abroad scholarships and grants and to help make your study overseas experience possible. Check out their website at:
- SYTA Youth Foundation – provides funds to youth who, for various reasons, are unable to afford the cost of their group’s travel. See
Below are several web-based scholarship searches:
www.goabroad.com/scholarships-abroad
There are also alternative student loans through private or quasi government agencies. These loans are usually less favorable (they usually require repayment to begin immediately rather than after you graduate) but they are dependable sources of funding for studying abroad. See: http://www.salliemae.com/ and http://www.studentloan.com/.
Again, to learn more about your eligibility for financial aid, we recommend that you first talk directly with your college’s financial aid office regarding what financial aid it allows for study abroad programs.
Finally, CELL has limited financial assistance as funds are available. To inquire, please contact the CELL directors by phone, e-mail, or by letter.
Dave and Sue Oakes, CELL Co-directors
For more information, please contact us.
