Study Abroad Funding—How to Get Money to Study Abroad 

Are you a college student? Do you love the idea of studying abroad, but don’t think you can afford it? We all know about the benefits of studying abroad: it looks good on your resume, it takes you out of your comfort zone, and it increases self awareness. However, instead of sweeping your dreams under the carpet because you’re broke, why not apply for travel scholarships to fund study abroad?

Although there is enough study abroad funding out there to make your head spin, we’re going to make it much easier for you. We’ve done the research about how to fund study abroad and here are eight travel scholarships for college students to make that study abroad dream a reality!

With all the options for study abroad funding, you’ll be rolling in dolla dolla bills in no time.

Today, we’re going to talk about three amazing strategies to help you secure funding for study abroad: travel scholarships for college students, increasing your savings, and crowdfunding online.

[Check out all of the first-time study abroad tips you'll need]

Travel scholarships for college students

Don’t stress over earning money when there are plenty of people out there who want to GIVE you money. Whoohoo! Apply to any of these travel scholarships for college students and watch the dough come rolling in.

Since travel scholarships for college students vary in their application processes, due dates, and ideal candidates, we figure it's up to you to decide which ones are applicable to your experience and goals. Our best advice? Apply for many (it is a numbers game, ultimately!) and be thorough in each and every one of your apps. Ask around on campus to find even more undiscovered avenues for securing extra study abroad funding.

Without further ado, check out these top travel scholarships:

1. Uniplaces Scholarship

Who says kindness doesn’t pay? The Uniplaces Scholarship is a unique opportunity for international students to fund study abroad in European cities by paying it forward. Here’s the lowdown. First, think of an act of kindness you’ve done, tell everyone about it in your application, share it with your friends to get votes, and maybe you’ll get a chance to win a scholarship to live rent-free in the study abroad country of your choice! Successful applicants are chosen based on their application’s originality, authenticity, number of votes, and the number of students they help.

• Amount: Covers the entire cost of accommodation for the student’s study abroad period.
• Application due: September of each year
• Visit their site: Uniplaces Scholarship

2. Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

This scholarship is offered by the US Department of state and it allows students who have limited financial means to study or intern abroad. It’s open to all US citizens who are undergrad students and who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at accredited US two-year or four-year colleges.

• Amount: Varies based on student’s rank in the selection process, financial need, and length of program. Only covers eligible study abroad program costs and related expenses. Students can get up to US$5000 for up to one year of undergraduate study abroad.
• Application due: Spring programs - October 3, 2017; Summer programs - October 3, 2017 (for early applications) and March 6; Fall and academic year programs - March 7, 2017
• Visit their site: Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

Make writing a stellar scholarship/grant application your business.

3. Room to Travel - Study Abroad Scholarship

Submit a 600-800 word essay on what inspires you to travel and what you will gain from the study abroad experience. Winning essays are judged on content, accuracy, writing quality, style, creativity, and adherence to written requirements. All applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents and can be incoming freshmen or current undergrad students at two-year and four-year accredited US colleges.

• Amount: $1000
• Application due: August 1, 2017
• Visit their site: Room to Travel - Study Abroad Scholarship

4. Market Inspector Scholarship

A multicultural team of digital marketing enthusiasts are offering scholarships to students from the six countries banned from traveling to the US by the US government. Applicants must be from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen and be currently enrolled or accepted at any accredited UK or US college or university. Applicants must write an original, 1,000-5,000 word essay explaining why they should receive the scholarship.

• Amount: $1000
• Application due: October 31, 2017
• Visit their site: Market Inspector Scholarship

5. Uni Study USA Scholarship

Uni Study USA partners with Go Campus USA to offer international students the chance to get a bachelor's degree at an accredited university in the US. The program provider offer both academic and athletic scholarships. Gap year students and university students in their first two years of study are eligible to apply. Uni Study welcomes applicants with any English language proficiency level.

• Amount: up to 60% off the cost of tuition, housing, and food
• Application due: contact provider for more details
• Visit their site: Uni Study USA Scholarship

Cleaning out can help you clean up! Sell those old books and DVDs for a little extra personal study abroad funding.

6. ScholarTrips International Travel Scholarship

Applicants must create a 60-90 second video or write a 500 word essay about what inspires them to travel abroad. They must also be legal US residents attending accredited US universities. Entries will be judged on passion, impact, and creativity.

• Amount: $2500
• Application due: contact provider for more details
• Visit their site: Scholartrips International Travel Scholarships

7. WSA Cultural Bridge Scholarship

Weekend Student Adventures (WSA) awards American undergraduate students who plan to study in Europe for at least 4 weeks and share a strong passion for international education. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Entries will be judged for passion and opportunity for growth.

• Amount:$500
• Application due: Spring programs - TBA
• Visit their site: WSA Cultural Bridge Scholarship

8. Hi-USA Explore the World Travel Scholarship

This provider offers scholarships to US citizens or permanent residents between the ages of 18-30 who want to fund an international trip with an educational or service component. Applicants must show financial need and live or go to school in one of the metropolitan areas where Hi USA has a community presence.

• Amount: $2000
• Application due: contact program provider for more details
• Visit their site: Hi USA Explore the World Travel Scholarships

[Want to find out about tons more funding opportunities? Here’s our scholarships study abroad directory]

Take the time to set a budget (and get out of that cafe—seriously, you spend way too much money on coffee!).

Savings

Funding study abroad without conscious saving feels darn near impossible. Without a concrete plan and plenty of sexy spreadsheets, you’ll find that remembering to put away so much of that paycheck is harder than it looks—especially if you’re also funding a coffee habit that’s tough to kick. You’ll want to really buckle down, budget, and stick to said budget, in order to guarantee you’re saving enough to pay for your program.

Once you have a monthly budget laid out, set up an automatic transfer from your checking account to your savings account. Each time you get a paycheck, whatever amount you’re able to put away will be automatically moved. Out of sight, out of mind, but still in your pocket! That way, you’ll always be consistently putting a little bit away (even if it’s only $25). It can really start to add up!

Don’t have a paycheck to put into savings, yet? GET A JOB, HIPPIE. We know this tip can be a little difficult to get set up right away, but any job and any kind of income helps. Don’t have a ton of time outside of class? Maybe look into becoming a tutor on campus. You can always pick up odd jobs here and there—if you’re brave enough to take a chance on Craigslist offers. Back on that expensive coffee habit? Maybe you can become a barista at your favorite coffee shop (at least then you’ll get an employee discount).

And, actually, while we’re thinking about it. Kicking that expensive coffee habit might be a great small step towards saving up enough for study abroad funding. Skip the quad shot mega whipped cream caramel whatever, make a cup of joe at home, and keep that $7 in savings instead.

Cancel. Your. Gym. Membership. Seriously. How often are you going to that spin class? Is it worth $30-60 a month? That money could go a long way in helping you fund your semester abroad! Check out more savings tactics like these to pay for study abroad like a BOSS.

[How much does it cost to study abroad?]

Crowdsourcing

Welcome to the future, friends! The world is your oyster and the internet is more than just “I can haz cheezburger” cats. Even if your scholarship doesn’t cover the full cost of your study abroad experience, there are other ways to fund it. Namely, getting friends and family to take a little stock in your adventures abroad. FundMyTravel is a crowdfunding site that gives you the chance to raise money for your study abroad-related campaign.

Tell your story, share your motivation for study abroad, and watch as donations come rolling in. With a great campaign and a personal video to tug at some heartstrings, you’ll be fully funded in no time! Here are a few more tips from FundMyTravel to start a successful fundraising campaign.

Study abroad is an investment, convince them of the amazing returns and ask Nana to put a few dollars towards your trip, instead of sending you novelty socks for your birthday this year. The Nana-novelty-sock drawer is getting a little full these days, anyway. 

Follow these tips on how to fund study abroad and you’ll be well on your way before you know it.

BONUS: 4 other ways to get your funding for study abroad squared away

We at GoAbroad are in the business of making study abroad as accessible and easy for you to plan/coordinate as possible—that’s why we’ve spent a good deal of time putting together comprehensive resources to help you figure out how to get money for study abroad. Now, presenting…:

1. STUDY ABROAD SCHOLARSHIPS. The COMPLETE guide
2. FINANCIAL AID. Let's talk nerdy
3. STUDY ABROAD GRANTS. Yes please!
4. STUDENT LOANS FOR STUDY ABROAD. Here's the 411

For even more ideas, check out our dozens of articles on scholarships abroad, including how not to waste your time when you apply.

Last minute tips on how to fund study abroad 

Three words: Mysterious. Wealthy. Benefactor. Get your very own Miss. Havisham—without the creepy old house and molding wedding dress! Alright, alright. We’ll be serious now. (Unless you do have a mysterious and wealthy benefactor to fund the rest of your trip, in which case, kudos!)

Take your scholarship applications seriously. We know you will, but it bears repeating. Take the time to write individualized and targeted applications, cover letters, and essays. This will make all the difference in how to get money to study abroad.

Sell, sell, sell! Whether it’s your amazing pumpkin cheesecake brownies (yum) at a bake sale, or all your old stuff on Craigslist/in a rummage sale, throwing a little sale can help drum up some extra cash. That’s right, folks, cleaning out can really help you clean up!

And, while it won’t strictly help you fund your whole experience, looking for places to be thrifty and save a few extra bucks will go a long way. Find awesome student discounts on flights with STA Travel, check out garage sales and talk to friends about borrowing any gear/backpacks/etc., and start coupon clipping. 

Time to study abroad!

Now that that’s sorted, find your perfect study abroad program! Bookmark, save, and compare programs side by side with MyGoAbroad. Bonus: here are 6 tips to create (and stick to) your study abroad budget. Now get to work!

Find (and fund!) study abroad experiences today