Paying for Your Program

Education Abroad Program costs vary depending on many variables, including program length, location, and personal travel plans. In an effort to help students estimate total program expenses, please utilize the Budget Worksheet for Student Use [XLS].

• Faculty-Led Abroad Courses
  
  • Tuition & course fees will be paid directly to TWU via the Bursar's Office. Costs associated with components of the abroad itinerary are submitted directly to the travel organization(s) the faculty have partnered with for your program.
• Harlaxton College Program
  
  • Students will submit a non-refundable application deposit directly to the Harlaxton College Program. Costs associated with the program will be applied directly to the TWU student bill, and students will pay this bill via the Bursar's Office as normal. Students will only be charged tuition & fees related to the Harlaxton College Program.
• Traditional Study Abroad Programs & International Service Learning Programs
  
  • Students will submit all payments directly to the International Education Organization operating their selected education abroad program.
• International Internships
  
  • Students will submit program costs associated with the international internship directly with the International Education Organization operating their selected international internships. If students are receiving academic credit for their internship directly from TWU, students will also pay tuition & course fees associated with this credit to TWU via the Bursar's Office.

Students who qualify for and receive federal financial aid can utilize their aid toward education abroad program expenses. General information about applying for and utilizing financial aid at TWU is available online at the TWU Financial Aid website.

All students participating in education abroad programs complete a TWU Education Abroad portal application specific to the selected program. As a part of the program registration, students receive additional information about utilizing their financial aid to pay for the education abroad program. Students who are eligible for and receive federal financial aid will have the opportunity to have their financial aid re-evaluated to determine if they qualify for additional financial aid awards based on the cost of their education abroad program. Financial Aid re-evaluations can only occur after a student has selected, applied to, and been accepted to a specific education abroad program.

Are you a TWU Terry Foundation Scholar? Learn more about Terry Study Abroad Special Funding Requests

Students participating in Traditional Study Abroad Programs, International Internships, or International Service Learning programs may have access to additional scholarship support. Please visit the links below to explore scholarship opportunities offered directly through our affiliate program providers. You must be enrolled in one of the programs offered by these providers to be eligible. 

• American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS) / Scholarships & Grants
• Academic Programs International (API) / Financial Information
• WorldStrides / Scholarships & Grants

• Education Abroad Scholarships
• Bold.org
• Go Overseas Scholarships
• U.S. Government Scholarships and Programs

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. To be eligible for the Gilman Program, applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship. 

Nearly 3,000 scholarships of up to $5,000 will be awarded this academic year for U.S. citizen undergraduates to study or intern abroad.

Gilman-McCain Scholarship

The John S. McCain International Scholarship for Military Families (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 John S. McCain International Scholarship for Military Families provides awards of $5,000 for child and spousal dependents of active or activated United States military personnel during the time of application to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs. Applicants must be recipients of any type of Title IV federal financial aid during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving Title IV federal financial aid during their study abroad program or internship.

Gilman STEM Supplemental Award

In support of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, the Gilman Program is providing supplemental awards of up to $1,000 each for a Gilman scholar to conduct STEM-related research abroad as part of their study abroad or international internship program. Students can select to be considered for the STEM Supplemental Award through the Gilman application. 

Deadlines and Timeline

There are two cycles: March and October. Check their website for this year’s deadlines.

Please work ahead on your essays and communicate with the main TWU Gilman Study Abroad Advisor, Taylor Morgan at tmorgan3@twu.edu.

Fund for Education Abroad

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 scholarship applicants participating on programs hosted by providers in our Access Partner program may be eligible for financial support of up to $5,000. Similar to ApplyTexas, one online application leads to many opportunities. As an applicant to FEA, you are considered for all of the scholarships you meet the criteria for, along with the FEA General Scholarships.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for an FEA scholarship, you must be:

• U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or DACA recipient
• Currently enrolled as an undergraduate at U.S. institution of higher education (graduate students are not eligible)
• Receiving credit at your home institution for the study abroad program

Deadline

The Spring 2025 application is open. The deadline is Wednesday, September 18, at 12:00 PM (noon) Eastern Standard Time.

There are two cycles: Spring programs with a deadline in September and then Summer, Fall, and Academic Year programs with a deadline in February.

The Spring 2026 application will open in Summer 2025. The deadline is expected to be in early September.

The Summer/Fall 2026, and Academic Year 2026-2027 application will open in November. The deadline is expected to be in early February.

The following scholarships are designed specifically to support education abroad programs. Please visit the links below to learn more about eligibility requirements, award amounts, and application cycles:

Boren Awards

Boren Scholarships - Fund study abroad by U.S. undergraduate students in world regions critical to U.S. interests. Maximum awards are determined by duration abroad:

• Up to $25,000 for 25-52 weeks (preferred)
• Up to $12,500 for 12-24 weeks
• Up to $8,000 for 8-11 weeks (STEM majors only)

Corinne Jeannine Schillings Foundation

The Foundation supports Silver or Gold Award Girl Scouts undergrads who plan to study abroad, regardless of their major/minor. 

Diverse International Women of Color

DIWC will award $500 scholarships to women of color who have been accepted to an In-Person Study Abroad Program.

GlobalScholarships.com $1,000 Study Abroad Scholarship

This scholarship is open to undergraduate and graduate students planning or currently studying abroad for a year or semester.

Going Abroad Scholarship

• The Going Study Abroad Scholarship is open to any citizen and/or resident of the United States (and its territories and possessions) who is enrolled full-time at an accredited institution of higher learning.
• Scholarship application deadlines are March 15th and October 15th. Winners will be notified by March 31st for fall study abroad and October 31st for spring study abroad.

Hostelling International Explore the World Travel Scholarships

Recipients receive $2,000 to help finance their international trip that includes an educational or service component.

Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant

• Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants are designed to help support undergraduates as they seek knowledge and experience in their academic fields by studying abroad. One hundred twenty-five $1,000 grants are awarded each year.
• Applicants do not have to be Society members but must attend an institution with an active Phi Kappa Phi chapter.
• March 15, 2024: Application deadline 
• May 1, 2024: Recipients will be notified
• May 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025: Study Abroad program must begin during this time

Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarships

The Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship is awarded biannually to passionate students who want to explore the world. The winner of the Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship will receive:

• $1,000 scholarship for studying abroad
• 1 travel backpack

The scholarship may be used for tuition, room and board, books, or travel. Funds will be sent directly to the winner's study abroad program or university.

The following scholarships are specific to the geographical area and education abroad program is located. Please visit the links below to learn more about eligibility requirements, award amounts, and application cycles:

Asia

• Bridging Scholarships for Study Abroad in Japan (Japan)
• Freeman Awards for Study in Asia (East & Southeast Asia)
• Bridging Scholarships for Study in Japan (Japan)

Europe

• Butex North American Scholarships (England)
• Lord Acton Memorial Scholarship (United Kingdom)

Pacific/Oceania

New Zealand Education Travel Awards (New Zealand)

The following scholarships are open to both undergraduate and graduate students. Please visit the links below to learn more about eligibility requirements, award amounts, and application cycles:

• TWU Education Abroad Scholarship
• Diverse International Women of Color
• Going Abroad Scholarship
• Hostelling International Explore the World Travel Scholarships
• Rotary International Scholarships

While the following scholarships provide more broad-based educational support, many students have utilized funds toward education abroad programs. Please visit the links below to learn more about eligibility requirements, award amounts, and application cycles:

Golden Key Scholarships

Golden Key International Honour Society is the world's largest collegiate honor society for graduate and undergraduate students, and has strong relationships with over 400 universities around the world. Members qualify when they are at the top 15% of their class, and are given access to a wide range of rewards, scholarships, travel and study abroad opportunities, and more. 

National Italian American Foundation

• NIAF administers nearly 200 scholarships annually, ranging in value from $2,500 to $12,000 to Italian American students studying a wide variety of subjects.
• Applicants must have an active NIAF Membership. NIAF memberships are valid for one year from the date of registration. Students may use their parent, guardian or grandparent’s membership.

Rotary International Scholarships

• Clubs and districts offer scholarships for secondary, undergraduate, or graduate study. These scholarships can be supported with funds raised locally or with Rotary Foundation district or global grants. Contact your local club for application information and eligibility requirements.
• Find your local club

American Association of University Women

AAUW is providing more than $6 million in funding to 285 fellows and grantees in the 2023-24 award year. These exceptional recipients will pursue academic work and lead innovative community projects to empower women and girls.

Boren Fellowships

• Fund research and language study proposals by U.S. graduate students in world regions critical to U.S. interests. Maximum awards are determined by duration abroad:
• Up to $25,000 for 25-52 weeks (preferred)
• Up to $12,500 for 12-24 weeks
• + Up to $12,000 for domestic language study (optional)

Fulbright U.S. Student Program

• The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides 1-year, fully funded grants for graduating seniors, recent graduates, graduate students, and young professionals to conduct individually designed research projects, enroll in graduate school, or teach English abroad.
• Learn more on TWU's Fulbright Programs page.

The Rotary Foundation 

The Rotary Foundation offers scholarships for college graduates and professionals to study peace and conflict resolution. Rotary Peace Fellowships are available to candidates who want to participate in a master’s degree or professional development certificate program at one of our partner universities. Learn about Rotary Peace Fellowship eligibility requirements and qualifications.

Social Science Foundation

SSRC has awarded more than fifteen thousand fellowships to researchers around the globe. Council fellowship programs are strategic – they target specific problems, promote individual and institutional change, and expand networks.

There are additional ways students supplement education abroad expenses beyond financial aid and scholarships: 

1. Crowdfunding / crowdsourcing - Campaign for support by preparing your pitch, setting a realistic goal, and enlisting the power of social networking (Resource: TransitionsAbroad)
2. Personal savings plans - Connect with your bank and/or consider utilizing technology apps designed to support personal savings accounts (resource: GoAbroad - 21 Ideas for Paying for Study Abroad)
3. Gift giving occasion - Will you be celebrating a holiday or birthday before you go abroad? Utilize natural gift-giving occasions to source support for your upcoming education abroad program. Think beyond monetary gifts and build your wishlist with tangible items you might need to purchase. (Resource: GoAbroad - GoAbroad's 2024 Study Abroad Gear Guide)
4. Scholarship databases - Utilize scholarship databases to scour through hundreds and thousands of private scholarships available to support general education expenses (Resource: USA Today)

• In an effort to reduce out-of-pocket expenses, students may seek additional ways to fund their education abroad program. Education Abroad strongly encourages students to connect with the TWU Write Site for assistance and support related to scholarship essays.
• The following resource is available to help students begin to conceptualize written essay components: A Guide to Education Abroad Scholarship Applications [PDF]