Studying abroad does not need to be an expensive experience. Florida and federal financial aid may be used by students participating in USFSP sponsored study abroad programs. There are also many study abroad scholarships which can be attained independently or though the university. Students should speak with USFSP Financial Aid to determine what current aid can be applied.

Students who are eligible to receive Florida or Federal financial aid to study at USFSP in Summer semester are able to use that financial aid to take a USFSP Study Abroad course instead. Below students will find information about various sources of funding.

USFSP- Study Abroad Scholarships

Financial Aid

Other Grants and Awards

The Smart Option Student Loan

Frequently Asked Questions.

USFSP Study Abroad Scholarships

Leadership Ethics in Greece, Italy, and England is holding a need based scholarship. All you need to apply is to attach your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) along with the program application. The EFC is given to a student once they have completed their application for a FAFSA. This scholarship will be given out to a total of five students for the amount of $500 each.

Ellsworth G. Simmons International Leadership Scholarship

This scholarship is open to all undergraduate students at the University of South Florida (both part-time and full-time) interested in a semester-length Education Abroad program. Students must write an essay explaining their leadership positions and community service involvement and how an International Experience, either study abroad or international internship, would strengthen their leadership abilities.  Financial need will be considered, however it will not be a determining factor.  Students must meet the following criteria:

• Must have a GPA of 3.4 for currently enrolled student; 3.5 for new transfers
• Must be a resident of Florida. Preference will be given to students from south or east Hillsborough County
• Must be a degree-seeking student at the University of South Florida.
• Simmons Scholarship Application

Mark and Kay Orr International Affairs Study Abroad Scholarship

The Mark and Kay Orr Scholarship is a competitive award available for students studying for a full semester or longer. This is not a full scholarship and is meant only to defer some of the costs associated with studying abroad. Applicants are not guaranteed funding. Students applying for this award must

• Be studying in a country where their native language is not spoken as the main or official language.
• Be a full-time, degree seeking student at USF.
• Have completed at least one semester at USF.
• Have at least one semester remaining after their journey.
• Submit a complete application by the deadline: late and incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Be in good academic standing.

Preference is given to students studying in Brazil, China, India, Jordan, Egypt, Japan, South Korea, Ghana, or South Africa, and to under-served students.

You must submit all required materials by the deadline for each semester (see brochure for details). Students are advised to begin the application early as common academic etiquette is to allow one to three months for a letter of recommendation. Download:

Mark and Kay Orr Scholarship Application

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Financial Aid

Florida and federal financial aid may be used by students participating in USF-sponsored study abroad programs, and many study abroad scholarships exist as well.

• Students are responsible for meeting with a financial aid advisor to see what of their aid may apply.
• Financial Aid is handled by the Financial Aid Office on the first floor of Bayboro Hall. They can help you get started with applying for Financial Aid.
• You must fill out a FAFSA form that covers the year you plan to study abroad. The FAFSA form is analyzed to see if you qualify for any Federal, Florida or USFSP funding, and may be completed online.
• To file a FAFSA form, you must meet the eligibility requirements.
• For more questions contact the USFSP Financial Aid office or browse though their web site. You may want to place special attention to their USFSP scholarship page.

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Grants and Awards

There are many other sources of funding available. Students are encouraged to check the internet and their own academic departments for additional funding sources.

For additional scholarships available to students.
Some suggestions include:

• Fulbright Student Grants
  This program is for seniors applying for graduate studies and current graduate and Ph.D. students working on a internationally focused thesis.
• Gilman Travel Grants
  for undergraduate students receiving Pell Grant Funding; summer awards not available
• Institute for International Public Policy (IIPP) Fellowship Program
  for underrepresented minority students interested in an international service career
• U.S. - Ireland Alliance George J. Mitchell Scholarships
  for graduate students; scholarships support one year of graduate study in any discipline offered by an institution of higher learning in Ireland or Northern Ireland
• Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships
  several types of scholarships are available for undergraduate and graduate students as well as for qualified professionals pursuing vocational studies.
• Rotary World Peace Fellowships
  Each year, Rotary will select up to 60 Fellows to study at one of the six Rotary Centers worldwide. These Rotary World Peace Fellows will begin master's-level degree programs in conflict resolution, peace studies, and international relations at one of the six Rotary Centers.
• Marshall Scholarships
  for study in the United Kingdom for two years; minimum GPA of 3.7 required
• Freeman Awards for Study Abroad in Asia
  for freshman, sophomore, and juniors currently receiving financial aid

Scholarships for Multi-Cultural Students

AGI Minority Geosciences Student Scholarships: for minorities students majoring in geosciences, including the geosciences sub disciplines of geology, geophysics, geochemistry, hydrology, meteorology, physical oceanography, planetary geology, or earth-science education
http://www.agiweb.org/mpp/index.html

Air Force Crossroads Scholarships
http://www.afcrossroads.com/education/coll_scholar.cfm

American Institute of Certified Public Accountants: Scholarships for Minority Accounting Students
http://www.aicpa.org/members/div/career/mini/smas.htm

American Physical Society: Corporate Minority Scholarships- for freshmen and sophomore minority students majoring in physics
http://www.aps.org/programs/minorities/honors/scholarship/

A Better Chance: College Scholarships for Minority Students
http://abetterchance.org/abetterchance.aspx?pgID=871

Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE): includes programs and services for studying, working and volunteering aboard. Also provides five different scholarships.
http://www.ciee.org.

NAFSA: Association of International Educators- this particular link gives NAFSA's stance on study abroad and scholarship information.
http://www.nafsa.org/content/publicpolicy/nafsaontheissues/study_abroad.htm

The National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME): Scholarships for Minorities in Engineering
http://www.nacmebacksme.org/nacmebacksme/highschoolprograms.html#pre-engineering

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS

Black Excel: one of the largest databases of scholarships and resources for African American students.
http://www.blackexcel.org/link4.htm

African American Scholarships: find scholarships by state, major and academic level.
http://www.africanamericanscholarship.com/scholarship.asp

National Association of Black Journalists: open to African American students majoring in journalism
http://www.eshow2000.com/nabj/scholarship_form.cfm

NAACP: Scholarship Programs
http://www.naacp.org/youth/scholarships/information/

National Society of Black Engineers: Scholarships
http://national.nsbe.org/Programs/Scholarships/tabid/84/Default.aspx

Scholarships for African Americans
http://www.free-4u.com/african.htm

Science Research Scholarship Awards: for African American students, with junior standing who are pursuing a degree in life or physical sciences http://www.uncf.org/merck/programs/undergrd.htm

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR ASIAN AMERICANS

Asian American Journalists Association: Scholarships
http://www.aaja.org/programs/for_students/journalism_scholarships/

The Korean American Scholarship Foundation
http://www.kasf.org/

Media Action Network for Asian Americans: Scholarships for Asian American students pursuing careers in filmmaking and television production (but not broadcast journalism).
http://www.manaa.org/

South Asian Journalist Association
http://www.saja.org/programs/scholarships

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HISPANIC AMERICANS

The Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting Scholarships: for Latino students with 15 credits, 3.0 GPA and majoring in accounting, finance or related fields
http://www.alpfa.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=Page.viewPage&pageId=354

The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute: List of Scholarships
http://www.chci.org/scholarships/

Hispanic Alliance for Career Enhancement: Scholarship Program
http://www.hace-usa.org/college.htm

Hispanic Scholarship Fund: College Scholarship Program
http://www.hsf.net/Scholarships.aspx

Hispanic Scholarship Search
http://www.hispanicscholarship.com/scholarship.asp

League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) Scholarships
http://www.lulac.org/programs/scholar.html

Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund: Scholarship Programs
http://www.maldef.org/education/scholarships.htm

National Association of Hispanic Nurses Scholarships: based on GPA (3.0 or higher), leadership capabilities, association with the NAHN and financial need.
http://www.thehispanicnurses.org/2009docs/

State Farm Insurance Hispanic Scholarship Awards Program
http://www.statefarm.com/foundati/hispanic.htm

La Unidad Latina Foundation: Scholarships
http://foundation.launidadlatina.org/Apply.htm

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR NATIVE AMERICANS

American Indian Science and Engineering Society: Scholarships
http://aises.org/Programs/ScholarshipsandInternships/Scholarships

Association of American Indian Affairs: Scholarship Programs
http://www.indian-affairs.org/scholarships/aaia_scholarships.htm

The Cherokee Nation: Higher Education
http://www.cherokee.org/Services/190/Page/default.aspx

Friends of Hubbell: Scholarship Details and Application: for Navajo Nation student with a 3.0 GPA or higher and of junior or senior status.
http://www.friendsofhubbell.org/Scholarships.htm

Indian Health Service: Scholarships
http://www.ihs.gov/JobsCareerDevelop/DHPS/Scholarships/

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The Smart Option Student Loan

With the Smart Option Student Loan, students studying abroad may borrow up to the full cost of their education, less other aid received1. Funds are certified by your university's financial aid office and disbursed by Sallie Mae via electronic funds transfer.

The student and/or cosigner make monthly interest-only payments while in school, which can significantly reduce the total cost of the loan. Payments can be made electronically or set up for automatic debit to free the student from having to worry about making on-time payments, enabling them to focus on their experiences overseas.

For more information visit the Sallie Mae Smart Option Student Loan web site.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How is Financial Aid determined for Study Abroad?

• Students who are eligible for Financial Aid normally receive more Financial Aid for studying abroad since the Financial Aid package considers the extra costs associated with studying abroad.

How many credits do I need to take to qualify for Financial Aid?

• To be eligible for Stafford Loans, you need to be enrolled at least half-time; that is, 6 credits for undergraduate students.
• Any other scholarship you receive may have different rules.
• If you attend USFSP Summer Study Abroad, and are not taking enough credits for your scholarship, you may be able to take more credits at USFSP during the remainder of the Summer semester to make up the difference

Can I use my Florida Prepaid College Plan savings?

• Florida prepaid tuition is measured in credit hours, and can be used to offset the cost of the tuition portion of the USFSP Study Abroad program.
• A reduction in the cost of the program will be calculated based on the number of credit hours a student enrolls for.

Can I use my Florida Bright Futures Scholarship?

• Unfortunately, Florida Bright Futures Scholarships cannot be used in the Summer semester. Therefore they cannot be used to help fund a USFSP Summer Study Abroad program.

For any further questions send an e-mail to: Wendy Baker.

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