Students studying abroad may use financial aid to fund their program. In most cases, funding comes from various sources including student loans, scholarships, grants, and personal savings. Planning your study abroad program six to 12 months in advance will help determine how to finance your international learning experience. The cost of studying abroad may be more than studying at the Alamo Colleges. It is best to consider various options for financing the excess.
Explanation of Payment
Payments for faculty-led and exchange programs are made to the Alamo Colleges. The host university may have additional fees for international students participating in their exchange program. Third party program fees, application and insurance gees, and Alamo Colleges program costs are paid directly to the program provider. You may pay your program fees by using the Alamo Colleges virtual business office. You may also pay in-person at the international programs office. Only personal checks, cashier’s checks, or money orders will be accepted.
Grants
Study abroad grants are available for students desiring an international education experience. For more information about study abroad grants, read the most recent University World News article.
Financial Aid
Some financial aid you receive at the Alamo Colleges may be used to finance your study abroad program. The following information will help you determine which options are available.
• Complete the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine which loans or grants you are eligible for. Some aid, such as unsubsidized Stafford loans and PLUS loans, are available regardless of need.
• Schedule an appointment with the study abroad coordinator if you have any additional questions.
Scholarships
The Alamo Colleges institutional advancement office offers scholarships for faculty-led programs through the Alamo College Scholarship Foundation. Students who are awarded study abroad scholarships must apply the funds to their study abroad program fees. Scholarships are restricted to countries for which the United States Department of State has not issued a travel warning. Students may apply for each scholarship for which they are eligible. Awarded funds may be used to assist with your study abroad program.
Assistance League of San Antonio
Assistance League of San Antonio makes scholarships available to students entering their junior or senior of study at a four-year college or university in Bexar County, Texas. Learn more about the community outreach programs ALSA offers by visiting their website.
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students who are United States citizens and have an interest in studying abroad. To learn more about the Gilman scholarship, selection criteria, and student eligibility requirements, visit the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship website.
The Gilman website offers various multimedia tools to assist students with putting their best effort toward applying for scholarships. Composing essays that are appropriate and compeling is often difficult for students applying for funds. Visit the Gilman multimedia page for instructions on composing competitive scholarship essays.
Big Future College Booard
The Big Future site is a user-friendly method for determining how to pay for college and what financial aid programs exist for students. Browse by price point, scholarship name, or use the general search link to find the financial aid program that best fits you. Search Big Future site for more details.
Boren Scholarships and Fellowships
Boren scholarships are funded by the National Security Education Program and provide up $20,000 for United States undergraduate students who want to study abroad in areas of the world that are underrepresented in most study abroad programs. Boren Scholars all have an interest in studying less commonly taught languages including Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Swahili. Visit the Boren scholarships website for more information.
Critical Language Scholarships for Intensive Summer Institutes
TheCritical Language Scholarship Program offers scholarships for United States citizens who are pursuing an ungraduate, graduate, doctor's degree and will participate in beginning, intermediate, and advanced level intensive summer language programs at American Overseas Research Centers.
Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Fulbright is the largest United States international exchange program offering opportunitis for students scholars, and professionals to undertake international graudate study, advanced research, university teaching, and teaching in elementary and secondary schools globally.
Freeman Asia
Freeman Asia is founded by the Freeman Fondation. The primary goal of Freeman Asia is to increase the number of United States undergraduates who study abroad in East and Southeast Asia. Learn more about Freeman Asia online.
Goodwill
This Goodwill program is open to residents of Bexar County, Texas who meet certain income guidelines. Goodwill provides $4 for every $1 saved to help students achieve their educational goals. For more information on this program, visit theGoodwill of San Antonio website.
San Antonio Youth Exchange Scholarships (SA YES)
SA YES addresses the issue of economic development and future workforce needs in South Texas by providing educational components and scholarships to financially challenged individuals. Scholarships are available to students in San Antonio and designated South Texas counties who desire to continue their studies at an accredited college or university. Learn more about the opportunities SA YES offers by visiting their website.
San Antonio Area Foundation
San Antonio Area Foundation provides a variety of scholarships for eligible applicants through the more than 80 funds they hold. Applicants may be elibible to apply for more than one scholarship and scholarships are renewable. Visit the foundation website for more information.
Study Abroad Funding
Study Abroad Funding is the most comprehensive directory of study abroad program funding for United States students. Students can search programs by name, field of study, continent, and country. For more information about this directory, visit the Study Abroad Funding website.
Whitaker International Fellows and Scholars Program
The Whitaker Program supports international collaboration in the growing field of biomedical engineering for undergraduate students to post-doctorate degree holders. Awards cover travel, in-country living expenses, and tuition for fellows.
Payment Deadlines
Faculty-Led Programs
Once you have been accepted to a faculty-led study abroad program at the Alamo Colleges, you will receive an acceptance package with a payment schedule included. The acceptance package must be submitted to the study abroad coordinator. Failure to follow your assigned schedule may result in the cancellation of your study abroad program. Questions, concerns, and difficulties following your payment schedule should be directed to the study abroad coordinator.
Exchange or Third Party Provider Programs
Deadlines for exchange and third party provider programs differ. Be sure to check your individual program for details. If you have questions about program deadline dates, contact the study abroad coordinator.