Use Scholarships To Pay For Studying Abroad.

I just got back from a 5-week studying abroad program in Europe (Salzburg, Paris and London) through the University of Portland and it was awesome! I got 6 credits and got to see the greatest sights . . . it was incredible! I saved money from some of my private scholarships and on-campus job to pay for the trip, but what’s coming next is what I’m really excited about.

Students – you should know you can use your scholarships to pay for studying abroad so it doesn’t cost you anything. I’m going to spend this fall semester in Rome and all my scholarships are paying for it. How? The Rome program is “sponsored” by my university so it’s the same as if I was studying on the main campus in Portland. All my scholarships and grants will apply to my college tuition and housing expenses while studying in Rome, I just have to pay for plane fare and miscellaneous things I want to buy in Italy.

The keys to using scholarships to pay for study abroad programs is (1) work hard in high school to earn large scholarships and grants and (2) study abroad through a program sponsored by your college. When study abroad programs are sponsored by your college, the school allows all your financial aid to be used to pay for it.

I like telling people that I will be living in Rome for almost four months for the cost of an airline ticket! Any college student can do this, you just have to talk with people in the Study Aboard office at your college and ask if your scholarships will apply to studying abroad program you’re interested in.

High school students – take advantage of this great opportunity. Work hard now while you’re in high school to earn scholarships to pay your way to Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, or South America as a college sophomore or junior. Renewable scholarships you win for your college freshman year can be used to pay for a truly great semester studying in another country. Work NOW to earn the scholarship and grant money you will need. You’ll be glad you did.

Jocelyn
University of Portland, Class of 2010
Portland, Oregon