Scholarships and Financial Aid

In general, all federal financial aid, excluding Federal Work Study, should be available as long as students are earning credits toward their degrees while abroad. This includes Pell Grants, guaranteed student loans, and PLUS Loans. Nearly all states also allow state financial aid to go with students abroad; however, students should discuss policies regarding state and institutional aid with their study abroad or financial aid office.

When determining your financial needs, make sure to include all possible expenses, including the program fee (tuition and housing), airfare, meals, books, field trips, course fees, materials, insurance, Permit of Stay, cell phone, personal travel, and miscellaneous purchases.

If you are anticipating financial aid that will not be available before your program fee is due, you must arrange for Arcadia College of Global Studies or the Center for International Education (CIS) to receive official written notification of the source, amount, and release date of the funding. When they get this information from your financial aid officer or from the funding source, the Umbra Institute will note the amount expected and defer the payment of that portion of your fee until the specified date.

Umbra Scholarships

The Umbra Institute offers two 50% off program fees scholarships. For those who qualify the selection for the scholarship is based on the following criteria:

The Umbra-Perugia Sister City Scholarship 
Residents of Grand Rapids, Michigan or Seattle, Washington are eligible for the Umbra-Perugia Sister City Scholarship. For more details on how to apply, click here: Umbra-Perugia Sister City Scholarship

The Marc and Lois Tartaglia Scholarship (UConn)
Any UConn student that has applied for study at the Umbra Institute during the spring semester is eligible. For more details on how to apply, click here: UConn – Spring Semester Scholarship

Arcadia Scholarships

The Arcadia University College of Global Studies has one of the most extensive scholarship programs of any study abroad organization. Each year, Arcadia distributes hundreds of need-based scholarships ranging between $500 and $2,000 for a full year, semester, or term. Generally, the scholarship funds are intended to help students in specific programs for whom a small amount of financial aid can mean the difference between participation and staying home. Award decisions are based upon a combination of financial need, academic merit, and program choice. Please note that scholarships can only be applied towards the program fee.

Scholarship applications and supporting materials will be accepted between February 1 and April 20 for fall and full year programs and between September 1 and October 15 for spring programs. Award decisions are announced no later than four weeks after the application is received. All program catalogs contain the necessary admission forms, including a scholarship application. You can also download a form from the Arcadia College of Global Studies website. Please apply early in the admissions process. Scholarship applications received after the published deadlines cannot be considered.

Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) Scholarships

US citizens or permanent residents enrolled in an undergraduate program at an American college or university could be eligible for scholarships offered through the Fund for Education Abroad. All are welcome to apply, though preference is given to traditionally underrepresented students within the study abroad community and students who demonstrate financial need. Such groups include first-generation college students, minority students, and community college students, as well as others. Click here for more information about funding amounts and application components

View the Fund for Education Abroad scholarships website for a full list of available scholarships. 

Shawn Carter Foundation Scholarships

The Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund is open to US citizens or Permanent residents at 25 years old or younger with a minimum GPA of 2.0, with preference given to non-traditional students (from single-parent households, first-generation students, etc.). The scholarship promotes study abroad, through collaboration with the Gilman Scholarship, but can be applied to other education expenses. Applications are open during the month of April. Click here for more details. 

Gilman Scholarships

Students receiving a Pell Grant may be eligible for this scholarship which provides $5,000 for any semester or year abroad. Check out the Institute of International Education Gilman Scholarship website for details.

The National Italian American Foundation Scholarships

The National Italian American Foundation offers a long list of scholarship opportunities. Scholarship amounts vary and are not solely applicable to study abroad. View available scholarships online to see if you are eligible to apply. 

Other Forms of Funding

Students who go on study abroad programs say the experience profoundly influences their way of thinking. To study abroad is to undertake an adventure that will expose you to new customs and languages, new ways of thinking, new and different ways to live. But often it requires finding ways to fund the adventure. If your financial aid does not cover all the anticipated expenses, you may consider private sources of funding and scholarships.

Government and Private Funding

• IEFA (International Education Financial Aid)
• Study Abroad Loans
• International Student Loan
• Diversity Abroad Loan Search