Steps to Study Abroad

Costs & Funding

The cost for study abroad and away programs vary by program type, location, length and travel costs. There is a variety of funding available to assist students with these costs. 

How much does it cost to study abroad?

The cost for study abroad and study away programs vary by program type, location, length, and travel costs. Most programs cost about the same as SU or less than SU; there are some programs that cost more than SU.

Funding Study Abroad/Away Handout

Compare Costs

The program fee is listed on the program page. In addition, consider costs for travel, passport/visa fees and local cost of living.  It is important to remember that many approved provider programs cost about the same or less than tuition, room, and board at Southwestern. Thus, it may cost about the same as SU to participate on an approved provider program.

Financial Aid

There are two financial aid categories for the purposes of study abroad/away:

  1. Home Tuition Model: applies to SU London Semester Program, the Capitol Hill Internship Program in Washington, D.C., or the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP Exchange)

    1. Students may use federal financial aid and SU merit awards, excluding work study or other aid that requires physical presence at SU.

    2. For these programs, students pay the equivalent of SU tuition, room (Brown-Cody rate), and board (unlimited meal plan) directly to Southwestern.

    3. Tuition exchange agreements apply to these programs.

    4. Note: a student who receives a full tuition scholarship from Southwestern and is attending SU London, CHIP or ISEP Exchange, may continue to receive the tuition scholarship, but may not receive additional funding from SU; they may not receive additional scholarships to cover other expenses associated with studying abroad/away such as room, board, airfare, visa fees, etc.
  2. Provider Model: for all other programs, students pay the program fee directly to the program provider and do not pay anything to Southwestern during the term abroad. Students pay for additional expenses such as airfare, passport, student visa, and personal expenses.
    1. Students are NOT eligible to receive SU merit or need-based aid
    2. Students ARE eligible to receive federal financial aid, as long as they are enrolled full-time
    3. Most outside scholarships and SU Study Abroad/Away scholarships apply

Study Abroad Funding FAQs

Summer Aid

SU merit and need based aid is not available in the summer. There are SU Study Abroad Scholarships available in the summer.  Students must to file a summer financial aid application with the SU Office of Financial Aid in order to access federal aid.

Southwestern Study Abroad/Away Scholarships

Apply for SU Scholarships

Southwestern University is committed to providing access to study abroad and away to all students who are interested in participating. SU provides $250,000+ annually to support study abroad/away. To apply for SU study abroad scholarships, login to Via and create an application. A form called “Scholarships” will appear. Application deadlines are the same as the program deadlines.

Scholarships include:

  • Kahler Scholarship - provides financial need-based awards ($500- $6000).
  • HIE Study Abroad Scholarship -  - provides financial need-based awards ($500- $6000).
  • Lokey Scholarship - provides financial need-based awards ($200 to $700)  for summer study abroad programs. 
  • Paideia Scholarship - provides merit and need-based awards ($300-$1200) and is open to all SU students  Responses to 3 short-answer prompts required. See rubric.

    • The Paideia Committee meets 4 times per year to review applications and make awards. There will be more funding available in the first cycle and potentially less available by the last cycle.

      Application Deadlines: 

      March 1 - Fall programs, 

      October 1 - Spring programs, 

      December 1 - Summer programs, 

      February 1 - Summer Programs.

  • Garey or Snodgrass HIE Scholarship - Garey and Snodgrass Scholars may use up to $5000 of their HIE Garey or Snodgrass Scholarship to fund study abroad.
  • S-Stem Study Abroad Scholarship - S-Stem Scholars may apply for a $1500 award for study abroad. Personal statement is required.
  • Funded Internship Progam - provides awards up to $1500 for students participating in an Academic Internship as part of the SU London Semester, The Capitol Hill Internship Program or the New York Arts Program

Study Abroad Funding FAQs

National Scholarships

Additionally, students may apply for national awards, such as:

  • Gilman Scholarships provide awards up to $5000 for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving federal Pell Grant funding  and are U.S. citizens.
  • Gilman-McCain provides awards up to $5000 for U.S. undergraduate students who are dependents of active military personnel and are receiving federal financial aid.
  • National Scholarships & Fellowships: Boren Awards, Critical Language Scholarship, CLS Spark, George J. Mitchell Scholarship, Fulbright Scholarship, etc.

Program Provider Scholarships

In addition, study abroad program providers offer scholarships.

Additional Funding Resources

  • Fund for Education Abroad - FEA makes life-changing, international experiences accessible to all by supporting minority, community college, and first-generation college students before, during, and after they participate in education abroad programs.
  • Diversity Abroad Scholarship Database - Diversity Abroad’s mission is to create equitable access to the benefits of global education by connecting diverse students to resources and opportunity.

Crowdfunding

  • Raise money to fund your expenses through a Platform such as GoFundMe