Finances and Scholarships

Consider the strategies below if you are looking to study abroad on a budget.

Get off the beaten path

Look for programs in countries with a lower cost of living. Consider locations like Costa Rica, Peru, Thailand, or Ghana. Some scholarships prioritize students who choose to study abroad in non-traditional locations.

Choose a semester

It may seem counter-intuitive, but a semester program is often more cost-effective than short-term programs. For example, you are probably already budgeting for one or more semesters on campus, but not necessarily for the winter and summer terms. On semester programs that charge Miami tuition, you can also leverage more of your Miami scholarships and financial aid.

Look for discounts

Many program providers offer automatic discounts to students just for attending a public university. Others have a match policy, through which they will automatically match your Pell grant or Gilman scholarship. Be on the lookout for these easy ways to reduce the program cost.

Maximize the credits you earn

Consider petitioning Miami to have your courses to count toward Liberal Education requirements. Think about how many requirements you can complete abroad to move you closer to graduation. Teach English abroad. While most study abroad programs prohibit you from working due to visa restrictions, some offer work-study positions that include opportunities to teach English.

Be flexible

We cannot guarantee that every program will be affordable for you. Plan ahead and do your research to find the program that meets your financial needs.

Enrollment in a program of study abroad approved for credit by the home institution may be considered enrollment at the home institution for the purpose of applying for financial aid.

Consider Programs with Cost-Effective Program Fees

Semester-long programs can be as affordable as $8,000. Do research on approved non-Miami programs and their fees to find a price point that works for you. To get you started, here is a list of programs Miami students are eligible to go on under $11,000, as well as between $11,000 and $13,000.

Students must file a FAFSA to be eligible for federal financial aid and scholarships. Financial aid can typically be used for study abroad during the fall and spring semesters. Should a student choose to study abroad in the summer or winter terms, aid may or may not be available depending on the amounts used during fall and spring. If you have questions about your financial aid, contact the OneStop for Student Success Services.

George C. Burke Scholarship

For students completing a credit-bearing Summer study or intern abroad program of at least 21 days in duration. ($1,000 grant)

Applicant Eligibility Requirements

• Ohio resident
• full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate student
• Rising sophomore or higher
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Must continue studies at home university for at least one semester during which a follow-on project will be completed
• Preference is given to first-time study abroad applicants.

Donald N. Nelson Scholarship

For a credit-bearing semester or academic year study or intern abroad program with a preference for those that incorporate a foreign language. ($1,500 grant)

Applicant Eligibility Requirements

• Ohio resident
• full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate student
• Rising sophomore or higher
• Minimum 3.0 GPA
• Must continue studies at home university for at least one semester during which a follow-on project will be completed
• Preference is given to first-time study abroad applicants studying physically or virtually in a non-English-speaking country and taking courses or interning in the native language of the host country.

OIC Scholarship

For short-term study or intern abroad programs (5-31 days in length) during the academic year. ($500 grant)

Applicant Eligibility Requirements

• Ohio resident
• full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate student
• Rising sophomore or higher
• Minimum 2.5 GPA
• Must continue studies at home campus for at least one semester
• Preference is given to first-time study abroad applicants

NOTE: All Luxembourg students are automatically considered for available scholarships

• Complete the Scholarship Questionnaire in your study abroad program application to be considered for available scholarships. Most scholarship funds require financial need (FAFSA). Only international programs that charge Miami tuition (e.g. faculty-led study abroad, MUDEC, co-sponsored, exchange) are eligible for scholarship support. Scholarship reviews will take place according to the following schedule:
  
  

  Scholarship Review Schedule

  Term	Review	Notification
  Fall/AY	April 1	April 15
  Winter	September 15	October 1
  Spring	September 15	October 1
  Summer	February 15	March 1

• Center for Career Exploration and Student Success Internship/Research Grants - For students who will be participating in an internship, research program, or service-learning opportunity abroad.
• Farmer School of Business Scholarships
• Havighurst Center for Russian and Post-Soviet Studies Travel Grant
• Miami Family Fund—Only programs that charge Miami tuition (e.g. faculty-led, MUDEC, co-sponsored, exchange) are typically eligible for scholarship support, but approved non-Miami programs may be considered.
• Study Abroad Airfare Grant—Oxford undergraduates who have filed a FAFSA and meet financial need criteria are eligible for up to $600 in the form of an airfare grant and may receive an additional $600 in the form of an interest-free university loan. The airfare grants can only be used for semester or year-long study abroad programs.
• Academic Department Support—Check with your academic department on the availability of additional scholarship support.

If you are currently the recipient of a waiver, you can be use your waiver toward study abroad programs that charge Miami tuition. General fees and Program fees still apply and are the responsibility of the student. Such waivers include, but may not be limited to:

• Faculty/Staff and Dependent Waiver
• Graduate Assistantship Waiver

National Scholarships are programs designed to increase participation in study abroad. Many are funded by private organizations, the U.S. Department of State, or Foreign Governments. The selection process is competitive, so we recommend meeting with our Scholarships Advisor, Karla Guinigundo, before applying.

• Boren Scholarship\Fellowships (NSEP)*
• Bridging Scholarships (Japan)
• BUTEX North American Scholarship (UK)
• Cincinnati Branch English Speaking Union Travel-Study Grant
• Critical Language Scholarship*
• DAAD German Academic Exchange Service Scholarship
• Freeman-ASIA Scholarships
• Fulbright U.S. Student Program*
• Gilman International Scholarship*
• International Engineering Scholarships
• Watanabe Scholarship (Japan)