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Financing your study abroad

As a nonprofit group of U.S. universities, USAC strives to provide you with the most affordable, quality programs possible. If you do need assistance with obtaining scholarships and financial aid, USAC will work with your home university’s study abroad, international programs, and financial aid offices. USAC offers many scholarships and in some cases, we may set up a payment plan for you. We are dedicated to helping you study abroad and will work with you as much as possible to make your study abroad a reality.

Scholarships Financial Aid Funding Tips

Scholarships

Beyond the financial aid you already receive from your home university there are also plenty of other scholarships you can apply for as well. USAC is a nonprofit and many of our programs are cost equivalent, if not cheaper, to some university’s tuition. Students may apply to USAC scholarships to save on program costs.

General national and local scholarships

These are scholarships available to any student that meets the eligibility requirements and can be applied towards their academic costs. Many times, these scholarship providers will allow students to use these funds towards their study abroad costs if the courses count towards their degree plan. You can learn more about these scholarships by talking to your financial aid office.

National study abroad scholarships

These are scholarships specifically for any student that meets the requirements and is interested in studying abroad. Many are specific to certain locations but there are also some for any location.

  • Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship
    Scholarship designed to support underrepresented high financial need students
  • Fund for Education Abroad Scholarship
    Scholarship designed to support underrepresented students with a focus on first generation students, students of color, and community college current or transfer students
  • Boren Awards
    Scholarship designed to support students interested in developing their language skills in a Critical Need Language

USAC scholarships

As a USAC student, you also can apply for our scholarships! We offer a range of scholarships and if your meet the GPA requirements, you will be eligible to apply for at least one.

Learn more about available scholarships

Financial aid and resources

You must apply for financial aid to receive it, and the process is usually time-sensitive. It is your responsibility to follow all instructions from your financial aid advisor and complete all paperwork well before your departure. It is important that during this process you take the initiative to communicate with both your university’s study abroad/international programs and financial aid offices, especially to determine whether your financial aid will need to be processed through an alternate university.

Aid is available to you in many forms: your preexisting financial aid (federal, state [some state aid cannot be used for study abroad], and/or institutional), aid specific for study abroad, scholarships, private student loans, personal savings, and parental support. Regardless of what kind or level of aid you use during a normal term on your home university campus, you should (re)consider using any and all of these resources to finance your study abroad.

Federal law allows you to receive financial aid from your home university while attending study abroad programs sponsored by your home university or other institutions. Studying abroad may have a different fee structure from that of your home university, so you should provide a copy of a USAC budget sheet to your Financial Aid office for any budget increases. A USAC budget sheet is available on your USAC Student Gateway account. Federal law also states that financial aid can cover all “reasonable” costs for a study abroad program, including:

  • Transportation to/from the program site
  • Tuition and fees for the program
  • Housing and meals
  • Other living costs
  • Textbooks
  • Health insurance
  • Passport and visa fees
  • Optional field study/tours

If you are receiving financial aid/scholarships and at any point cancel or withdraw from your program, you may be required to repay any funds that have been awarded/distributed. You are also still responsible for any outstanding balance you many have.

Funding tips

If you’re dreaming about studying abroad, but don’t know if you can afford it, we’re here to help. In our pathway to funding your study abroad below, you will find tips and information to get you started.

  • Choose an affordable program
    Although USAC offers many affordable programs, we understand that every student’s budget looks different. In order to find a program that is within your budget, we recommend you start by reviewing your cost of attendance at your home university. Cost of attendance is the total cost you pay to attend your home university and includes tuition, fees, room and board (on campus) or rent and meals (off campus), textbooks, supplies, transportation, and personal costs. Your total cost of attendance can often be found on your university website.
  • Compare your cost of attendance to the cost of USAC programs
    When preparing financially to study abroad, you’ll notice that many of the expenses you have at home will be like those you will have abroad. One way to see the total cost of your program is to use our Interactive Budget Sheets. Under each program, you will find a section titled ‘Fees and Deadlines’ that will give you access to the Interactive Budget Sheet for that specific program. On those sheets, you’ll be able to see the cost of the program fees, housing options, meal costs, course fees, optional tours, flight costs, personal expenses, textbooks, transportation fees, and other expenses specific to that program.
  • Talk to your financial aid office
    Many students are surprised to learn that often the financial aid they receive at their home university can be used towards the costs of their study abroad program. USAC accepts and can postpone payment for any confirmed financial aid and scholarships you receive at your home university. Talk to your financial aid office to find out if you can use your financial aid and what the process is to have the funding approved. Once you have access to your USAC Gateway account, make sure to submit the USAC Financial Aid Deferment Form to your Financial Aid Office to complete the approval process. Once your Financial Aid Office submits the form to us, you will receive updated information on your balance and payment schedule.
  • Save and budget
    Once you know the cost of your program and how much financial aid will cover, it’s time to start thinking about how you will fund the rest of your costs. Consider whether you will need to get a job to save towards your program or if you already work, whether you can take on more hours. Create and review your budget to see how much you can realistically save towards your program. Then track your spending to see if there are any expenses you can cut to increase how much you’re saving. Lean into your skillset and ask around. Someone you may know could use help balancing their spreadsheets or would like an extra set of eyes to edit their writing. There are short-term employment opportunities posted on job boards. A small job may pay a few hundred dollars, which would cover an incremental cost overseas.
  • Ask for support from family and friends
    Some students may have access to people in their lives who may be willing to sponsor their study abroad journey. You may have had a high school graduation party where you received financial gifts to help pay for college. Discussing your study abroad dreams with your circle of family and supports is an option. Kaitlyn Lera from the University of Nevada, Reno hosted a Bon Voyage BBQ for her year overseas. “I believe I was given nearly $3,000,” Kaitlyn said. “I spent $150 on the party, and saved about $200 to send each of them postcards and little knick-knacks from the countries I traveled to.”
  • Fundraising
    Fundraising can be a great way to get your community involved and excited for your upcoming program. It’s also an opportunity to put your talents, skills, and hobbies to work. Think of ways you can use your hobbies to encourage people to donate and to thank them for their donation. Can you take amazing photographs? Make the best chocolate chip cookies? Know how to make your own jewelry? Whatever your skills might be, there are members of your community who can’t wait to help you out.
  • Take out a subsidized loan
    Subsidized loan options are often available to undergraduate students. The loans do not accumulate interest as long as you are in school. After graduation, you will pay based on the interest rate. Students pay a certain amount toward the principle, which shows up as a transaction on their credit reports – building good credit.
  • USAC payment plan
    For students who need a little more time to make their Program Fee we offer a convenient payment plan. There is a $50 set-up fee, and afterwards you’ll work with a USAC Accounting Specialist to set-up your payment dates.