Cost & Funding

Studying abroad is an investment. Depending on the program and location, the cost can be less or more than an average semester at Vanguard. The GEO office is committed to helping you, including finding alternative funding methods. As a part of the process, GEO staff will walk you through the detailed budget so you know exactly how much the program will cost. See below for more information on scholarship and finanancial aid options.

Costs

Costs for studying abroad vary based on location, program, length and a variety of other factors. To help determine a more accurate total cost for the program you may be considering, we've developed a budgeting worksheet that can serve as a guide.

Financial Aid

Finances can appear to be a major obstacle when studying abroad, however, most of the time, a semester abroad can cost the same amount or even less than a semester on campus.

Institutional aid (scholarships, grants) is not available for study abroad programs. Federal and state financial aid can only be received for study abroad programs approved by the US Department of Education to participate in Federal Student Aid (FSA) Programs. There are, however, many external study abroad specific scholarships you can apply for to supplement the institutional aid that is not eligible to transfer. Check out a list of these below!

The types of aid you can and cannot use to assist with study abroad tuition are listed below. For more information about study abroad, contact Global Education & Outreach.

Type of Aid	Use for Study Abroad?
Federal Pell Grant	Yes
Federal SEOG	No
Cal Grant A/B	Yes
Vanguard Academic Scholarships	No
Vanguard Need Grant or Vanguard Grant	No
Athletic, Music, or Musical Theatre Scholarships	No
Assemblies of God Scholarships or Church Grants	No
Any Vanguard Scholarships or Grants	No
Direct Loan	Yes
PLUS/Private Loans	Yes
Federal Work Study/Vanguard Work	No
Tuition Remission/Exchange	No
External Study Abroad Scholarships	Yes

For further details about your specific financial aid situation, we advise you to speak with the Financial Aid Office.

Scholarships

There are several scholarships that are available to students desiring to study abroad, a few of which are listed below. In addition, check with your program to see if there are any internal scholarships for merit or need available.

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

This scholarship provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant. The program will provide scholarships for American students to pursue overseas study for college credit and aims to diversify the kinds of students who study, supporting undergraduates who might otherwise not participate due to financial constraints. The Gilman Scholarship Program accepts applications two times per year.

Black Excel

Boren Scholarship (National Security Education Program)

The NSEP focuses on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security. Boren Scholarships for undergraduate students, provide up to $20,000 for an academic year to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad. These countries include Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin American, and the Middle East. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.

College Board Scholarship Search

Diversity Abroad Scholarships

FastWeb

Fund for Education Abroad

Fund for Education Abroad Scholarships

FEA is committed to increase the number of underrepresented American college students studying abroad through the provision of scholarships. As an applicant to FEA, you are considered for all of the scholarships you meet the criteria for, along with the FEA General Scholarships. One application can lead to many opportunities.

Generation Study Abroad

Generation Study Abroad Travel Grants

Generation Study Abroad Travel Grants will be made available for U.S. students from a broad range of backgrounds to make it possible for them to participate in academic, internship or service-learning experiences abroad. The scholarship program is intended to diversify study abroad and to encourage students to go abroad who would otherwise not participate in an international experience as part of their college education, especially in support of high-achieving, low-income students.