TWU receives grant to support students to study abroad

May 6, 2024 – DENTON –  Texas Woman’s was selected by the Institute of International Education (IIE) to receive an IIE American Passport Project grant that will enable up to 25 TWU students to obtain their first U.S. passport and open the pathway to study abroad.

 The IIE American Passport Project seeks to reach student populations who often do not obtain a U.S. passport. To date, the program has supported 176 higher education institutions in 41 states since its inception in 2021. The majority of the awarded institutions are focusing on these priority demographics for their respective campuses: first-generation college students, students with demonstrated financial need, and students who have never traveled abroad.

TWU Education Abroad has partnered with the TWU Center for First-Generation Students for this grant. This collaboration will continue through the 2024-25 academic year. The focus will be on awarding first-year students and new transfer students who never would have considered owning a passport. 

In support of the students selected to receive free passports, TWU Education Abroad will provide ongoing Education Abroad programming and advising. In collaboration with the Center for First-Generation Students and other campus offices, these events will be further tailored for first-generation students, with salient topics such as navigating the cost of travel, how to engage their families in the process, and what opportunities abroad are available for their majors and goals. 

The initiative will culminate in submission of passport applications at the UNT Passport Office, managed at UNT Study Abroad.

For more information about this grant, please contact Taylor Morgan in Education Abroad.