Financial Aid and Scholarships

Paying for Education Abroad!

Education Abroad

 

Students standing under a tree on the sand holding certificates


Study Abroad Financial Aid & Scholarships Info Session

Not sure where to start with exploring funding options for studying abroad? Interested in learning more about the ETSU Study Abroad Scholarship? Join this Zoom info session for an overview of financial aid and scholarships. The session will be recorded for those who cannot attend. 

  • More sessions coming soon!

Funding Your Experience

Most students use a mixture of financial aid, scholarships, and personal funds for pay for their study abroad programs. There are many ways to fund your study abroad experience, some examples of which are listed below. The important thing is to plan early and make sure the program you choose fits your academic and financial goals.

  • Financial aid (Pell Grant, G.I. Bill, Fed. Loans, TN HOPE, TSAA, APS, etc.)
  • Scholarships (Honors, Roan, Study Abroad Scholarship, etc.)
  • Employer/ company scholarships
  • Crowdsourcing (GoFundMe.com or Fundme.com)

  • Personal or family funds (some students ask for donations instead of birthday/ Christmas presents)
  • Other organizations: civic groups (Rotary, Kiwanis, and Lions Clubs), professional and business clubs, sororities and fraternities, charitable, religious, and campus organizations, high school alumni associations

Scholarship Opportunities

We recommend searching for scholarships early in the study abroad application process and applying for multiple scholarships. Click on the blue links to see the different types of scholarship options below.

  • ETSU Study Abroad Scholarships

    We highly recommend that all ETSU study abroad students apply for relevant scholarships.

    • Study Abroad Scholarship

      All ETSU students who are approved to take a study abroad course for credit can receive this scholarship!

      • Application link





      •
        • Please see all instructions in the online application form linked above.
      • Application deadlines:
        • Oct 1: Winter break & Spring semester programs
        • Jan. 15: Spring break (ETSU faculty-led only) & Summer programs
        • April 15: Fall programs
      • Eligibility:
        • Current ETSU student

        • Participating in an education abroad program approved by the ETSU Education Abroad Office that includes course credit or other relevant academic component (as determined by the ETSU Education Abroad Office)




        • At the time of award, must be approved for a study abroad program by the Education Abroad Office or relevant ETSU faculty leader
      • Award amounts*:

        • Program length of 1-3 weeks: Up to $1,500 maximum

        • Program length of 3-6 weeks: Up to $2,000 maximum

        • Program length of 6-12 weeks: Up to $3,000 maximum

        • Program length of 12+ weeks: Up to $4,000 maximum
        • *Please note that actual award amounts may be lower or higher based on funding and the number of students who apply.
      • Award criteria
        • Scholarship award amounts are based on (1) financial need, as assessed by the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships, (2) your essay score, and (3) your program abroad length.
        • In order to ensure you receive the highest reward possible, please complete the FAFSA before completing your scholarship application.
      • Repeat awards & funded programs:
        • Students participating in multiple study abroad programs are welcome to re-apply for the study abroad scholarship. However, first-time applicants may be prioritized over applicants who have previously received a study abroad scholarship.
        • Students participating in programs with significant department funding or receiving the Honors Student Engagement Scholarship may have their study abroad scholarship awards reduced where appropriate.
      • Early Deposit
        • The Early Deposit Advance Request (formerly Bridge Loan) is available for students who have been awarded the Study Abroad Scholarship. Students can request early disbursement of up to their maximum study abroad scholarship award so they can purchase airfare or other necessary study abroad expenditures. If you have any outstanding charges on your ETSU account, including tuition payment plans, applying for an early deposit advance is recommended.

      Scholarship Money Distribution: Please note that if awarded the scholarship, the money will be added to the student's ETSU account. Because of federal regulations, the money will be disbursed no sooner than 10 days before the study abroad course's start date or at the start of the semester. Students should plan to pay for program fees upfront (especially in the summer & winter) and use the scholarship as a reimbursement, or apply for an early deposit advance. If there are any outstanding charges on the student's ETSU account, including tuition payment plans, scholarship funds will go towards paying off those charges. If you wish to avoid this, it is recommended that you apply for an early deposit advance.

    • Zayas-Bazan Scholarship

      This ETSU scholarship is a great opportunity for students who are majoring or minoring in Spanish. Please note that the application is not through the Education Abroad Office. Please see below for more information

      • Application link
      • Deadline: Same as ETSU general scholarship application deadline 
      • Amount: $600-$1200
      • Terms: Fall, Spring, Summer
      • Criteria:
        • Must be majoring or minoring in Spanish
        • Must be studying abroad in a Spanish Speaking Country
      • Instructions: Apply through the ETSU General Scholarship Application
    • Honors Student Engagement Scholarship

      This scholarship for ETSU students in any Honors program can be applied to study abroad. Please note that this application is not through the Education Abroad Office.

      • Application link
      • Deadlines:
        • Spring & Summer programs- Oct. 15
        • Summer & Fall programs- Mar. 15
      • Amount: Up to $1,500
      • Terms: Any term
      • Eligibility:
        • Must be a current student in any of ETSU's Honors Programs (Bert C. Bach Fine & Performing Arts Scholars, Changemaker Scholars, Global Citizen Scholars, Undergraduate Research Honors Program students (formerly Honors-in-Discipline), and Midway Scholars Programs)
        • HSESs can only support experiential learning activities closely related to ETSU Honors College coursework
          and other Honors College approved events, opportunities, and practices.
      • Instructions: Complete the online application by the deadline.
      • See more information here 
    • Political Science Study Abroad Scholarship

      The Political Science Study Abroad Scholarship supports one undergraduate student with high financial need, majoring in Political Science or International Affairs, and preferably from East Tennessee, to enroll and participate in the study abroad course PSCI 4194 Politics, History, and Culture in Central East Europe, 3 credit hours, Summer Session I.

      • Application Form
      • Deadline: December 1
      • Amount: The scholarship covers program fees, tuition & fees, flight, health insurance, passport fees, food, and gratuities for the PSCI course.
      • Instructions: Submit the application materials to Dr. Crumley (crumleyml@etsu.edu) and place your LAST NAME and APPLICATION on the subject line.
    • Hammond/Cavender Study Abroad Award
      • For undergraduate or graduate students

      • Recipients must receive credit at ETSU for the activities they conduct while traveling outside of the US, though transfer credits from other institutions are acceptable
      • Preference given to students majoring/minoring in Anthropology or Sociology
      • Students who are awarded the scholarship will be expected to make a presentation approved in advance by the selection committee in a public forum describing their activities
      • Contact studyabroad@etsu.edu for more information
    • Dorian G. Sanchez Study Abroad Scholarship
      • Must be a full-time ETSU undergraduate student
      • Minimum GPA of 3.6
      • Must be studying abroad in the upcoming semester/year (Fall/Spring)
      • Preference will be given to students satisfying at least ONE of the following:
        • Studying abroad at a top university (according to the most recent Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings)
        • Studying abroad in South Korea
        • Studying abroad for two full semesters (Fall/Spring)
      • Must agree to satisfy requirements within the first semester of returning to ETSU
        • Compose a 750 word essay describing how their time abroad has impacted them
        • Coordinate a community event, attend a Study Abroad Fair, or present to a class, showcasing some aspect of the host country's culture and write a report outlining the purpose, plan, and results of the event
        • Be available to answer questions from future scholarship recipients
      • Contact studyabroad@etsu.edu for more information
    • Bach Award
      • Focused on financial need
      • Preference given to students studying abroad for at least a full semester (Fall/Spring)
      • Contact studyabroad@etsu.edu for more information
    • American University of Rome Award
      • Students studying at the American University of Rome have the opportunity to earn a $1,000 scholarship to help cover the costs of studying abroad at AUR
      • Contact studyabroad@etsu.edu for more information

     

  • Affiliated Organization Scholarships

    Scholarships for students studying abroad through an ETSU-affiliated organization (API, ISA, TEAN, CCSA, KIIS, The Intern Group).

    • API

      API offers many scholarship options, including diversity scholarships, student athlete scholarships, STEM scholarships, video & photo scholarships, partner institution scholarships, and more. Please see API's website for details and application information.

    • ISA

      ISA by World Strides offers a variety of scholarships, including their own funded scholarships, host university scholarships, supplemental awards, and grants. Please see ISA's website for details and application information.

    • TEAN

      TEAN Abroad offers merit, need, and diversity scholarships for program participants. See more information on TEAN Abroad's website.

    • CCSA

      CCSA offers a few scholarships for program participants. See more information on CCSA's website.

    • KIIS

      KIIS offers several scholarships for program participants. See more information on KIIS' website.

    • The Intern Group

      The Intern Group offers full-ride International Inclusion scholarships, designed to support BIPOC applicants, LGBTQIA+ communities* as well as applicants with disabilities. Please see The Intern Group's website for details and application information.

  • External Scholarships

    Scholarships for students who meet specified demographic, need-based, and/or merit-based criteria. These scholarships may offer small or large (up to fully-funded) awards, and may be nationally competitive. Certain scholarships may have dedicated advising through the ETSU Prestigious Awards Office.

    Please note: ETSU students must attend an education abroad interest session, submit all application materials before the Education Abroad deadlines, and be accepted into the program prior to applying for the opportunities below.

    • Pell Grant Eligible Students

      The Gilman Scholarship Program aims to make study abroad more accessible and inclusive for students with limited financial means. The Gilman Scholarship ensures that Americans of all backgrounds engage internationally, foster mutual understanding and develop skills critical to national security, economic prosperity and students’ futures. Students receiving Pell Grants can earn up to $8,000 for study abroad program expenses, including airfare, tuition, room and board, and other program costs. Students who have not studied abroad before, students from underrepresented backgrounds, and Veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces are especially encouraged to apply.

      Please contact the ETSU Prestigious Awards Office for more information.

    • Military Dependent Students

      The Gilman-McCain Scholarship is a congressionally funded initiative of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State and named after the late senator John S. McCain from Arizona. The Gilman-McCain Scholarship provides awards of $5,000 for undergraduate child or spouse dependents of active duty or activated military service members to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs.

      Please contact the ETSU Prestigious Awards Office for more information.

    • Diversity and Identity Scholarships

      Fund for Education Abroad Scholarships
      The mission of the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) is to provide scholarships and ongoing support to students who are underrepresented among the U.S. study abroad population. FEA makes life-changing, international experiences accessible to all by supporting students of color, community college, and first-generation college students before, during, and after they participate in education abroad programs. The Fund for Education Abroad considers financial need, demographic factors, and academic plan and preparedness to decide scholarship recipients.

      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 Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) scholarship application.

    • Non-Traditional Locations/ Critical Language Study

      Freeman-Asia Program

      *Please note: the Freeman-ASIA application timeline is very early, especially for Spring programs.

      The Freeman-ASIA Program, generously supported by the Freeman Foundation and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE), aims to increase the number of U.S. undergraduates who study in East and Southeast Asia by providing them with the information and financial assistance they will need. Award amounts vary from $3,000 for a summer program to $5,000 for a semester/quarter program to $7,000 for an academic year program. From 2001-2009, Freeman-ASIA provided scholarships for more than 4,000 U.S. undergraduate students to study in East and Southeast Asia.

      Boren Awards
      Boren Scholarships and Fellowships provide unique funding opportunities for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Boren Scholarships can provide undergraduate students with up to $20,000, and Boren Fellowships can provide graduate students with up to $30,000.

      Critical Language Scholarship
      The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is a fully funded overseas language and cultural immersion program for American undergraduate and graduate students who are motivated to learn less commonly taught languages. Some CLS language programs require previous study while others accept students at the beginning levels.

      Please contact the ETSU Prestigious Awards Office for more information about the scholarships listed above.

    • Other Scholarships

    Kindly Note: the scholarships listed above are not ETSU-endorsed programs. The organizations above have no affiliation with ETSU. This means that ETSU is not accountable for the decisions or actions of the organizations above.

Financial Aid

The financial aid, scholarships, grants and loans you receive during the Fall or Spring semester at ETSU can usually be applied to a semester abroad exchange program. Summer, winter and direct enrollment students may be able to use some forms of financial aid as well, under certain circumstances. All students planning to study abroad should meet with a Financial Aid Counselor to discuss options and requirements.

You may be able to use the following forms of financial aid & scholarships for study abroad if eligible:

  • ETSU Academic Performance Scholarship (APS)
  • ETSU Honors & Roan Scholarships
  • Fee Discount for TBR Employees & Spouse or Dependents

  • Tennessee HOPE Scholarship
  • Tennessee Student Assistance Award (TSAA)
  • Pell Grant
  • Federal & private loans
  • Other financial aid & scholarships not listed

To be eligible to receive most types of financial aid for study abroad, you must:

  • Enroll in courses required for your degree that are approved for ETSU transfer credit
  • Enroll in the required minimum number of credit hours
  • Maintain satisfactory academic progress

Recommended steps:

  • If you have not done so already, it is recommend that you sign up for Direct Deposit in order to receive a balance of aid refund.
  • It is a good idea to sign someone up as a First Mate so the financial aid office and other offices on campus can discuss your account with someone else (if necessary) while you are abroad.

Please meet with the financial aid advisor for study abroad, Lisa Baumer, for more information.

Please note: The disbursement date of financial aid will be no sooner than 10 days prior to the first day of the study abroad classes (per federal regulation) and cannot be disbursed earlier than 10 days before the first day of ETSU classes.