Study abroad can be expensive, so students and their families should carefully plan for study abroad program costs. Fortunately, there are a number of outside sources to help finance study abroad, so be sure to review the following opportunities.

Paying for Study Abroad

Under the Sewanee Pledge, students can apply the majority of their Sewanee institutional aid (scholarships, grants, loans) to approved semester-long study away programs; as a result, they pay the same charges (tuition, room, board, and fees) that they would typically pay to study at Sewanee*. Sewanee then pays the providers of the programs for the standard tuition, room and board of their programs. Different regulations apply for summer study away, but pell-eligible students may be able to apply for additional funds for summer study away. For more information on the Sewanee Pledge, download the FAQs.

*Please note that if students receive work study funds, they are unable to receive those funds during the semester they are abroad, as they are unable to work for Sewanee during that time.

Unlike many schools, Sewanee does not levy additional charges for participating on study away/study abroad and treats Sewanee-run and third-party programs equally. Because students are traveling to another country to study, there will be additional costs. These costs are the responsibility of the student, and they are outlined below:

  • International airfare to and from the international destination
  • Additional course fees
  • Additional room fees
    Some study abroad programs offer a variety of housing options, including apartments and single rooms at an additional charge. If study abroad participants select such options, the student will be responsible for paying such additional charges.
  • Non-program costs, including in-country travel, visa, passport, books, additional meals, etc.
  • Refundable deposits.

If a study abroad program does not provide a housing option that offers room or full board, Sewanee’s treasurer’s office will credit the student's account for the uncovered portion (on a pro rata basis for board). 

CREATING A BUDGET

Students should consider making a budget based on their study abroad goals. Below are websites that provide educational resources on budgeting while on study abroad.

EXTERNAL SCHOLARSHIPS

Many governmental and educational entities offer scholarships for study abroad. Below is a handful of opportunities:

BENJAMIN A. GILMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS
Eligibility: US Citizen/Perm Res, PELL Recipient

The Gilman Scholarship, established in 2001, “is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Department of State” and facilitates study abroad or interning abroad for programs worldwide for U. S. citizen undergraduates who are already receiving Federal Pell grants. The stated goal of the program is to diversify the kinds of students who study and intern abroad “and the countries and regions where they go.” There is a preference for non-traditional locations. In addition, there are “critical need languages” awards for those who will be studying Arabic, Chinese, Bahasa Indonesia, Japanese, Turkic (see list), Persian (see list), Indic (see list), Korean, Russian, or Swahili. Please contact Dean Bruce in the Office of the Dean of the College for additional information. Spring 2024 Deadline is Oct.5, 2023.

Boren Scholarships

ELIGIBILITY: US CITIZEN/PERM RES
Boren Scholarships provide up to $20,000 to U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Boren Scholarships are funded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP), which focuses on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security. Applicants should identify how their study abroad program, as well as their future academic and career goals, will contribute to U.S. national security, broadly defined. NSEP draws on a broad definition of national security, recognizing that the scope of national security has expanded to include not only the traditional concerns of protecting and promoting American well-being, but also the challenges of global society, including sustainable development, environmental degradation, global disease and hunger, population growth and migration, and economic competitiveness. Any applicant considering applying should be aware that in exchange for scholarship funding, all Boren Scholars must agree to the NSEP Service Requirement to provide a period of Government Service after studying abroad. Please contact Dean Bruce in the Office of the Dean of the College for additional information.

Critical language studies scholarships
eligibility: U.s. CitiZen or national and meet language requirements for the program to which they apply.

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is a completely funded summer study abroad opportunity for American college and university students to learn languages essential to America’s engagement with the world. Students spend eight to ten weeks learning one of fourteen languages at an intensive study abroad institute. The CLS Program is designed to promote rapid language gains and essential intercultural fluency in regions that are critical to U.S. national security and economic prosperity. The deadline for this application is typically in November and details might not be shared until a month or two before the due date. Marcus Murphy and Dean Bruce are advisors for this program if you have any questions. 

Pamela harriman foreign service fellowship
eligibility: U.s. citizen

This fellowship is offered annually to three outstanding undergraduate students from across the nation, chosen from students serving in a summer professional position with U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., and the U.S. Embassies in London and Paris. Learn More Here!

thomas j. watson fellowship
Eligibility: U.S. citizen or senior Int'l student 

The Watson Fellowship is a one year grant for independent travel and study outside the United States. It is awarded to graduating seniors nominated by their home institution.

David l. Boren graduate fellowship
eligibility: U.s. Citizen/graduate students

The National Security Education Program (NSEP) David L. Boren Scholarships support U.S. undergraduate students pursuing the study of languages, cultures, and world regions that are critical to U.S. national security but are less frequently studied by U.S. students, i.e., areas of the world other than Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Graduating seniors who are applying for graduate study in appropriate fields may apply for Boren support.

Fulbright U.s. student opportunity
eligibility: u.s. citizens or national

The Fulbright program provides one-year study, research and teaching opportunities for U.S. college graduates and students involved in graduate study. The Fulbright program operates in more than 140 countries. Projects may include university course work, independent library or field research, or professional training in the arts. The application process is lengthy. Complete applications are generally due in early September. Students are encouraged to contact the Fulbright advisor in the spring of their junior year.

fund for education abroad SCHOLARSHIPS
ELIGIBILITY: US CITIZEN/PERM RES

The Fund for Education Abroad provides scholarships and ongoing support to students who are underrepresented among the U.S. study abroad population. 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. Applicants from groups underrepresented in study abroad are given preference, in an effort to make the demographics of US undergraduates studying abroad reflect the rich diversity of the US population. Since 2010, FEA has awarded $1.8 million in scholarships to 466 undergraduates, helping students from all over the United States follow their dreams abroad.

Freeman-asia
ELIGIBILITY: US CITIZEN/PERM RES studying in asia

Freeman Awards for Study in Asia (Freeman-ASIA) provides scholarships for U.S. undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia. A Freeman-ASIA award provides funding to assist the recipient with the cost of the study abroad program and related expenses, including airfare, basic living costs, local transportation, books, etc.

Lewerglobal
eligibility: All full-time students currently enrolled at a Post-Secondary US institution who will study abroad in the Spring or Summer of 2023.

Two applicants will be awarded one scholarship, each scholarship will be in the amount of $1,000. Create a Video Submission explaining the top 2-3 things you are excited about experiencing while studying abroad. Video length should be between 1-2 minutes and submitted via one of the following formats: MP4, MOV, WMV. Submissions are evaluated and winners are selected based on the following criteria: 1) Explain the 2-3 things you are excited to experience while studying abroad (50%); 2) Creativity (25%); 3) Uniqueness (25%). Bonus Points for submitting a Letter of Recommendation from a Sewanee faculty or staff member.

Deadline for applications is 11:59 PM, CST on January 31, 2023. Scholarship Winners will be announced on February 15, 2023 on Lewerglobal's social platforms (Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

For More Information: Lewerglobal Scholarship

United States-Japan Bridging Foundation
Eligibility: Undergraduate students majoring in any field of study are eligible to apply for Bridging Scholarships. Japanese language study is not a prerequisite. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and must be enrolled as undergraduates in a college or university in the United States before and during the time they are studying abroad. Their study in Japan must last for at least 3 months and must earn credit that will transfer to their home campus in the US. Students who have already begun their study abroad in Japan are not eligible to apply.

Bridging Scholarship recipients receive stipends of up to $2,500 for a semester’s study program or up to $4,500 for an academic-year program. Awardees join the Bridging Scholar community and gain access to an extensive alumni, donor, and supporter network. Foundation programming includes in-person and virtual mentorship opportunities as well as career and networking events. Applications for 2025-2026 scholarships will open in spring of 2025.

For More Information: Bridging Scholarship

PROVIDER SCHOLARSHIPS

Individual providers award scholarships to students studying on their programs. Most providers have scholarships particularly geared toward students of diverse backgrounds and/or students who demonstrate high financial need or are pell-eligible. Students are eligible to receive up to 50% of the amount of any financial aid awarded by a program provider. Select a provider below to view their scholarship offerings.

SEWANEE scholarships

need-based ScholarshipS

Through generous endowments given by donors, there are two scholarships available for students with demonstrated financial need to assist with study away travel costs. 

  • Dunn-Rankin Family Endowment Fund for Study Abroad -- Established by Janie Wagenknecht Dunn-Rankin, C'82, P'10, P'13 & David Dunn-Rankin, C'80, P'10, P'13 in 2016, the Dunn-Rankin fund provides funding for Pell-eligible and high financial need international students to study away. Funds may be requested for costs associated with travel to and from the study abroad or study away destination (airfare, visa, passport, etc.)
  • Holland West (C'1975) & Family Study Away Endowment -- Established in 2021 by Holland West (C'1975) and Debbie West, the Holland West fund provides funding for travel-related expenses for students who come from educational, cultural, or geographic backgrounds that are under-represented and under-served and who are experiencing financial disadvantage or hardship and are in need of financial support and resources in order to participate in study away programs. Student groups who are historically under-represented in study away programs include Pell-eligible students, first generation college students, and students from minority cultural backgrounds.

Qualified students for either scholarship may apply HERE. Application deadlines are below:

  • Fall study away: April 1st 
  • Spring study away: October 15th
affordable program grant 

Sewanee students who select a program on our qualified "Affordable Options" list will receive a $500 - $1,000 credit on their student accounts. These funds may be used for any educational or study abroad purpose. Interested students should speak to their Study Abroad Advisor.

Area of study specific scholarships
  • Jackson Cross, C'30 Scholarship Fund -- Established in 1997, the Jackson Cross Scholarship offers assistance for Sewanee students studying abroad in Germany or Austria. These funds are awarded on the basis of financial need to assist with tuition, travel costs, and personal expenses incurred as part of study abroad, particularly in the summer. Qualifying students apply HERE
    • Application Deadline for Fall 2024: Friday, April 5
Research Fellowships

  • Biehl Fellowship --The Biehl Social Science Research Fellowship is a funding opportunity for independent social science research study, conducted during the summer, in a country where the primary language is not English. Students must present their research in a final paper and through a 10 minute presentation to the Sewanee community in the Advent semester. More information is available HERE.