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Financing Study Abroad

Don't let cost get in the way of your chance to study abroad. With financial aid, good budgeting, and saving and planning, study abroad can be very affordable. In addition, the returns on your investment — academic learning in an intercultural environment, broadened horizons and new cross-cultural skills — will prove invaluable for decades to come. Use all of the information provided to you by the CIP office and the Office of Financial Aid to make informed decisions about how to finance your semester abroad. Make sure you understand the policies and procedures surrounding cost, scholarships and financial aid:

SJU Study Abroad Grants Scholarships
 SJU Approved Semester Abroad Programs Scholarships
 U.S. State Department IIE Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship
 External Study Abroad Scholarships 
SJU Financial Aid 
 
SJU Study Abroad Grants and Scholarships

SJU Study Abroad Grants: Semester/Year, Study Tour, and Summer Program
Saint Joseph's University offers several scholarships from $500 to $1,500 for Saint Joseph's University students studying abroad on semester/ year, Study Tours & Summer programs.  Students who have not studied or traveled abroad in the past are strongly encouraged to apply.  Awards are granted on the basis of merit, need, and the quality of the essay.  Scholarships are for only one semester of study.  Previous award winners are not eligible.  Completed scholarship applications must be submitted in full to the Center for International Programs and received by March 15 for Fall programs and October 15 for Spring programs.  All applications will be reviewed by a committee.  All award decisions are final and may not be appealed.  

The Society of the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick Irish Studies Fund
The Society of the Friendly Sons of Saint Patrick have generously donated monies to Saint Joseph's University to aid in the support of an SJU undergraduate student(s) who is accepted by SJU and the overseas university to study abroad in Ireland for a semester or year academic program. Scholarship award amounts vary year to year, but are estimated to be a minimum of $1,000 designated for tuition only and are awarded on a need and merit basis. Preference shall be given to students who pursue courses in Irish Studies or the Humanities while in Ireland.  Students must apply by March 15th for the fall semester or academic year, and by October 15th for the spring semester. 

Department of Asian Studies Scholarship
A limited number of scholarships are available to Asian Studies majors and minors for study in Asia, through SJU approved programs at The Beijing Center in China,Sophia University in Tokyo, Japan, or through a petition program in Asia or on the SJU Summer Program in China.  Preference is given to Asian Studies majors & minors, but others are welcome to apply. Scholarships are awarded on a first come, first served basis. The application is available here: The Bernadette and James J. Nealis III Asian Studies Study Abroad Award Application. To find out more, please contact the Asian Studies Department. 


Charles F. Shreiner ('50) Scholarship for Study Abroad in Latin America and Kief, Bach, Beirne, Caulfield, Deal Award for Latin American Studies
The Charles F. Shreiner ('50) Fund for Latin American Studies and the Kief, Bach, Beirne, Caulfield, Deal Award for Latin American Studies is the gift of several generous alumni of Latin American Studies at Saint Joseph's University.  Thanks to this endowment, the Latin American Studies Program can offer scholarships to SJU students to support study in Latin America.  Preference will given to students participating in an SJU study tours to Latin America. The application for Spring & Summer 2024 can be found here: Latin American Studies Travel Funding Application - Spring & Summer 2024. Applications are due by October 31st, 2023. For more information, please contact the Latin American and Latinx Studies Program.
Semester Abroad Programs with Scholarship Opportunities

Augsburg CGEE 
IFSA-Butler
IES Abroad 
CIEE
Danish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS)
John Cabot University 
Sophia University
Temple University Rome
The Beijing Center
Loyola Vietnam Center
Saint Louis University Madrid
University of Melbourne

*Always check with your study abroad program to see if any scholarships or travel grants are offered!
 External Study Abroad Scholarships 
 
*Note: The following scholarships and websites are not endorsed by the CIP.  They are just provided as a starting place for your research. 

Boren Awards
US undergraduates hoping to fund study abroad in world regions critical to US interests should look to the Boren Scholarship. Awards are determined by their duration abroad with special funding opportunities for STEM majors. Applicants must be US citizens at the time of the national application deadline, a high school graduate or have earned a GED, at least 18 years, planning an overseas program in a country outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand, and planning to study in a country of which they are not a citizen. Learn more here. 

Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) Scholarships
The mission of the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) is to provide scholarships and ongoing support to students with financial need who are underrepresented among the U.S. study abroad population. FEA awards up to $5,000 for a fall or spring semester abroad, with a minimum of $1,000 for short-term programs. Please visit their website for more information and for application deadlines: https://fundforeducationabroad.org/apply/​


The IIE Gilman International Scholarship
The Gilman International Scholarship Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE).  The Gilman Program aims to diversify the kinds of U.S. undergraduate students who study and intern abroad and the countries and regions where they go.  Awards of up to $5,000 are made for U.S. citizen undergraduates to study abroad. Award amounts will vary depending on the length of study and student need with the average award for a semester being $4,000. Students studying a critical need language while abroad in the Middle East, North Africa or other non-traditional locations are also eligible for an additional $3,000 Gilman Critical Need Language Supplement. 

The current application cycle for the Gilman International Scholarship Program has an application deadline of October 6, 2022. The cycle encompasses programs during Spring 2023, Summer 2023, Fall 2023, and Academic Year 2023-2024 

To learn more about the Gilman Scholarship Program and to apply, please visit the website.



Gilman-McCain Scholarship
The U.S. Department of State’s Gilman-McCain Scholarship provides awards of $5,000 for child dependents of active duty service members to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs. Developed under the framework of the State Department’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, the John McCain International Scholarship for Children of Military Families (Gilman-McCain Scholarship) is open to eligible students enrolled at accredited U.S. colleges and universities who receive any type of Title IV federal financial aid. To learn more about the Gilman-McCain Scholarship, visit the website linked above.



IIE Freeman-ASIA Scholarship
Freeman-ASIA is sponsored by the Freeman Foundation and administered by the Institute for International Education (IIE). The Freeman Foundation's major objectives include strengthening the bonds of friendship between the United States and countries of East Asia. Freeman-ASIA accepts applications from U.S. citizens or permanent residents studying at the undergraduate level at a two-year or four-year college or university who demonstrate financial need to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia. Awards of up to $5,000 are made for U.S. citizen undergraduates spending a semester abroad. For more information, please visit their website. 


Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS)
Chinese Government Scholarship (CGS) is established by the Ministry of Education of P.R.China (MOE).  Applicants can choose three academic programs in three universities as their first, second and third choice university from the directory of Chinese universities that admitting international students at http://www.campuschina.org/universities/index.html.  All undergraduate programs are instructed in Chinese. Applicants with no command of Chinese are required to take the college preparatory courses for one to two years and pass the examinations before pursuing major studies. English-delivered programs are only for postgraduate programs and non-degree courses for general and senior scholars in certain universities. More information about this award and the eligibility requirements can be found here: Chinese_Government_Scholarship_2019.doc

PACIE-Asia Institute Global Education Scholarship
To increase the global awareness and competencies of students studying at universities and colleges in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Council for International Education (PACIE) and The Asia Institute offer $2,000 in study abroad scholarship funding. Student applicants should be seeking to participate in a global learning experience in Asia. The global learning experience can be a short-term faculty-led program, semester or full-year study abroad program, international internship/research or a virtual learning program. All fields of study are encouraged to apply. 

Rainbow Scholarship
The Rainbow Scholarship awards deserving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) students who aim to participate in high-quality, rigorous education abroad programs. To be considered for the Rainbow Scholarship, applicants must self-identify on the above-mentioned Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) scholarship application.  Recipients can receive up to $10,000 towards their term abroad. 

BeGirl World Scholarships
BeGirl World is seeking to diversify and change the face of study abroad by offering two scholarships worth $2,000 for black female college students. The two scholarship types are as follows:
  • All Philly – This scholarship is for one black female college student who is from Philadelphia and is enrolled at an accredited Philadelphia college or university.
  • All Country – This scholarship is for one black female college student who is enrolled at an accredited college or university in the United States of America, Puerto Rico or the US Virgin Islands
For qualifications and application information, please visit their website: https://www.begirlworld.com/

Minority Scholarship in Classics and Classical Archaeology
The Committee on Diversity in the Profession of the Society for Classical Studies offers this scholarship opportunity to minority students pursuing classical studies on summer, semester or year abroad programs. Award amounts vary by year.  For more information about the current application cycle for this scholarship, please visit their website: https://classicalstudies.org/awards-and-fellowships/minority-scholarship-classics-and-classical-archaeology.

First Trip Scholarship
First Trip values the philosophy of global citizenship, and believes the true path to global citizenship is initiated once we immerse ourselves into another culture far different from our own. First Trip provides funding for first time travelers from accredited US colleges and universities traveling to countries ranked lower than Very High on the United Nations' annual Human Development Index (HDI). Scholarships are awarded up to $1,500.00 and are determined by applicant need, destination, and availability of funds. Visit https://www.firsttrip.org/first-trip-scholarship to learn more.  

NAFSA Tamara H. Bryant Memorial Scholarship
Funded by a NAFSA endowment established by Tamara H. Bryant, this scholarship creates opportunities for African-American undergraduate students in the United States who hope to study abroad, and who also embody Mrs. Bryant's spirit of resilience and commitment to intercultural exchange. Applicants must be enrolled as an undergraduate at a college or university in the USA. Study abroad programs must be at least 4 weeks (28 days) in length to receive a scholarship. Applications for Spring 2023 are due by September 15, 2022. 

Sigma Tau Delta Summer Program Scholarships
These scholarships are for active undergraduate members, including seniors who are about to graduate at the time of application. The scholarship provides up to $1,500 for the purpose of attending a special summer program, in the student's home country, which furthers the applicant's engagement with Sigma Tau Delta's mission. Qualifying summer programs must be at least three weeks in length and no longer than three months. Applicants should demonstrate academic scholarship and chapter service and must explain the relevance of their summer program to fostering their engagement in the discipline of English, including literature, language, writing, or literacy. See website (linked above) for eligibility and application details. 

Sigma Tau Delta Study Abroad Scholarships
The scholarship provides up to $3,000 for the purpose of studying in a program that furthers the applicant's engagement with Sigma Tau Delta's mission for an academic term or year in a certified, undergraduate program outside the country in which the nominating chapter is located. The scholarship also provides up to $1,500 for applicants whose study abroad program does not constitute a full academic term. Applicants should demonstrate academic scholarship and chapter service; they also must explain the relevance of their study abroad program and activities to fostering the discipline of English, including literature, language, writing, or literacy. See website (linked above) for eligibility, application and timeline details. 


Scholarship Search Engines:
For help with outside scholarships, consider contacting the Saint Joseph's University Fellowships Office.
SJU Financial Aid 

Overview
Per the Semester Abroad Policy, students who wish to study abroad and receive credit toward their Saint Joseph’s degree will remain registered at SJU and pay the full-time, day tuition rate plus a $300 Confirmation Deposit for each semester they will be studying abroad.   Because of their continuing enrollment status at the University, students will continue to receive their full financial aid package.   However, there are some things to be aware of in regards to your aid.

Tuition
With the exception of Federal Work Study Funds and athletic scholarships,  other forms of financial aid and scholarships are applied towards your Saint Joseph’s University tuition fees for the semester or you are abroad studying full time.  They are applied automatically as if you were studying here on campus.

Housing and Non-Tuition Fees
In most cases, students are required to pay all non-tuition related fees (i.e., housing and other administrative fees) directly to their study abroad program or foreign institution.  However, there are a few exceptions based on agreements that the University has with a small number of our approved/affiliated programs.  Therefore, students participating in the following programs will see their study abroad housing fee (not the SJU housing cost!) on their billing statement from Saint Joseph’s University: 
  • All approved/affiliated IFSA-Butler programs
  • Universidad Alberto Hurtado
For all other programs (including petitions), students will be required to pay housing and other non-tuition fees directly to their program.  Students are responsible for submitting these payments by deadlines established by and communicated from the program, not the CIP office. It is important to note that the deadline for submitting payment to your program may occur before your SJU financial aid package has been disbursed, as all Federal funds are scheduled to disburse to the student after add/drop each semester.

If you are concerned about your program’s payment deadline, please contact them directly for assistance.  Some programs (including, but not limited to: DIS, CIEE, John Cabot University, Temple University, American University of Rome) have allowed students to defer their program fee payment until after their financial aid has been disbursed by Saint Joseph’s University.  Other programs (such as SLU Madrid) allow students to pay in installments.  Please research your program’s website and/or contact them directly to inquire about a possible Payment Deferral Form or required documentation.  If it is an available option, you will need to also work with the Office of Financial Aid to submit necessary financial aid documentation as the CIP cannot sign the agreement.

Once the aid is disbursed to the student through their SJU account, any credit balances will be refunded directly to the student (with the exception of Federal Parent PLUS Loans which are disbursed directly to the parent borrower). The student (or parent) is then responsible for paying any non-tuition fees to the study abroad program/foreign institution/landlord before the agreed upon deferment deadline.

Tips and Advice:
  1. Discuss your plans with the Financial Aid Office at least a year prior to studying abroad
  2. Complete the FAFSA application early. Federal funds will not be disbursed to SJU if the FAFSA is not submitted.  If selected; federal verification completed and all loan requirements are completed
  3. Research when program and/or housing fees are due to the abroad program and understand the process for having financial aid applied. Financial Aid deferral agreements and payment plans can often take 1-2 weeks to put into place, and typically must be in place before payment deadlines.
  4. Set up Direct Deposit at SJU. Most loans are sent to Saint Joseph’s University via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) and most students receive refunds via direct deposit.  Direct deposit will allow students have access to their funds much quicker.
  5. Share all financial aid information with parent(s) or guardian(s).

While You’re Away:
Dropping below full-time status or completely withdrawing from your semester abroad program could have an adverse effect on your financial aid package. Therefore, if your enrollment status changes, notify the CIP and the Financial Aid Office immediately.

Questions?
For more information, please visit the Financial Aid Office.  For questions regarding billing, please contact the Office of the Bursar.  For questions regarding academic records, please contact the University Registrar.
 
Additional Financial Aid Resources
Additional Sources of Funding

Get creative! Consider some personal fundraising. Here are some tips:
  • Be prepared to explain why you are fundraising. Why do you want to volunteer/intern/study abroad? Convince people that your experience abroad will be valuable.
  • Ask as many people as possible to contribute – every little bit helps. If you’re holding a fundraising event, such as a bake sale, be sure to advertise it.
  • For donations, ask different people for different amounts. People who are financially secure will be able to donate more. Also, remember that if your suggested amount is too low, people might not donate more than that because they don’t realize how much you actually need.
  • Use technology to your advantage. Consider setting up a blog or website where people can donate.
  • Be sure to say thank everyone who contributes. In addition to verbal thanks, you may want to send thank you notes to express your appreciation. Keep them updated while you are abroad.