Scholarships and Discounts
Historically, USAC has provided more than $1.25 million in scholarships, grants, and discounts annually. Awards range from $500 to $5,000, with most awarded students receiving $1,000 to $2,500.
Scholarships are awarded three times a year to assist USAC students with their study abroad expenses. While these are competitive and awarded to students based on need, eligibility, and essay score, we aim to provide as many scholarships as possible.
Funding study abroad requires financial planning. It’s our mission to provide accessible study abroad for all, which is why our programs are affordable and created with students’ finances in mind. We also offer interactive budget sheets, which provide a breakdown of program costs, such as fees, housing, and tours, located in a program’s “Fees and Deadlines.” This tool provides a comprehensive overview of study abroad costs.
We encourage students to apply for USAC scholarships and external scholarships, and research home university financial aid options. Studying abroad is possible and often much more affordable than you may realize.
Applying for USAC Scholarships
USAC Scholarships are only available to students who have already applied to a USAC program. Once you've applied, the scholarship application will be available in the student portal called USAC Student Gateway.
No need to apply for individual scholarships! By completing the USAC Scholarship Application after you apply to your program, you will automatically be considered for all scholarships for which you qualify.
- Summer programs: March 1
- Fall/Yearlong programs: May 1
- January/Spring programs: October 1
Our deadlines are firm, no late applications will be accepted. It is strongly encouraged that you apply in advance of the deadline rather than on the last day in case there are any issues with technology.
If you’ve submitted your application and need to make a change, please contact scholarships@usac.edu.
You should hear back about the outcome of your scholarship application within one month after the published deadlines above.
All decisions will be delivered via email. For most students, the scholarship will appear in Gateway reflected as a credit on your invoice.
USAC Discounts
Returning/Extending Student Discount
Students who complete a USAC semester/year program abroad are eligible for a $500 discount towards a future semester/year Specialty Program or a $300 discount for a future on-site summer/January Specialty Program. Students who complete a USAC summer or January program are eligible for a $300 discount towards a future on-site semester/year Specialty Program or a $100 discount for another summer or January Specialty Program.
This discount may not be applied towards our online/virtual internship programs. However, students who complete a USAC online course or virtual internship are eligible for a $300 program fee credit towards a future Semester Specialty Program abroad or a $100 program fee credit towards a future Summer Specialty Program abroad.
Bristol Program Discount
The University of Bristol offers a special discount for USAC students looking to come to England, take undergraduate classes, and learn about life in the United Kingdom. All students wishing to study abroad in Bristol will receive an estimated $3,000 off 2025 Fall or 2026 Spring program fees and $5,000 off 2025-26 yearlong program fees. The wide range of students who go to the University of Bristol come from such a diverse range of backgrounds, you’ll truly get a global experience.
Explore China: Limited-time $500 Discount
USAC, with the support of former USAC Chengdu and Shanghai Visiting Professor Dr. Marianne Cooley, is excited to announce a $500 discount for 2025 Summer Session, 2025 Fall, and 2026 Spring study abroad in Shanghai or Chengdu, China. Returning USAC Specialty program alumni will also receive an additional discount off their program fee.
During the discount period, the first five (5) Summer Session students and 10 Fall and Spring semester students will receive $500 off their study abroad. As always, field trips — to ancient towns, festivals, reserves, and must-see places — and on-site staff and support are included in the program fee."
Questions about scholarships? Contact scholarships@usac.edu.