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There are many potential sources of financial aid for international study
if you are willing to take the
TIME to do some RESEARCH. Plan ahead and schedule time for each day
when you can do research, write letters and complete applications. If you do a little
each day, you will get through it. When the going gets tough and frustrating,
imagine yourself in your destination country, read books on the country and talk
to students who have been there. Time is usually a student's largest constraint when searching
for scholarships and grants. We suggest that you start as early as possible.
** Freshman: Congratulations! By researching your options early, you are in the
best possible position for finding financial aid for studying abroad. You will discover that many scholarships require you to apply a year or more prior to your departure date. It is never too early to start searching.
** Sophomores and
Juniors: If you are planning on going abroad during your junior or senior year, start researching the possibilities open to you immediately.
The Financial aid office
The Student Financial Aid Office is located in
122 Reese Building. This office is responsible for administering all federal, state and campus-based aid. Financial Aid is based on a calculation which relates your financial need (and your family’s ability to contribute) to the cost of your education. Most Financial Aid can be used for study abroad.
There is some additional paperwork required in order to use your regular financial aid toward study abroad. You can pick up the paperwork in the Office of Education Abroad (256
College of Health and Human Services Building). Please note that if you receive an athletic scholarship, you will need to check with Athletics, as well as with your coach. If you receive a Merit Scholarship, ask if there is a study abroad stipend attached to
yours.
Sources at Home
Resources in your hometown may prove to be a valuable component of your hunt, especially if you or your parents have been active in the community.
The following is a list of possible sources of money for you.
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Rotary Clubs:
Look at the Rotary Club Scholarship information in the International Resource
Center in 256 CHHS Building to see if you qualify for a Rotary Scholarship. Then, write or call you local Rotary chapter for an application.
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Service Clubs:
Inquire at your local Lions, Kiwanis or other service clubs.
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Town Hall:
Go to your town hall and ask if there are any local scholarships.
Chamber of Commerce: Visit the Chamber of Commerce to see if there are any opportunities.
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Your High
School: 
Go to the guidance department from your old high school and inquire.
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Religious
Organizations:
If you belong to a church, synagogue or other religious organization, ask the person in charge of finances if there are any scholarships, grants or loans available.
-
Family Employers:
Ask your parents and other members of your family to check at work and see if their company offers aid to sons, daughters, or relatives of workers.
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Your Employer:
If you hold a job, ask your boss if there are any scholarships available to workers in the
company.
Scholarship Program for International Study
(UNC Charlotte students
only)
For study
abroad experiences during...
Summer I 2010
Summer II
2010
Fall 2010
Spring 2011
Deadline:
February 15,
2010
Scholarship Applications will be available in November.
Please note that you must be enrolled full-time at UNC Charlotte, have a minimum 3.5 GPA and attended
an Information Session before you can apply for scholarships.
Information Session times are listed
here
Applications will be available in:
The Office of Education Abroad
256 CHHS Building
If you are awarded a scholarship through the Office of Education Abroad: Note that grades
will not be processed until the following items are submitted to the Office:
- A hand written thank you note to the donor of your scholarship (delivered through OEA);
- Photos for your donor showcasing your experience abroad;
- An essay describing your study abroad experience and its impact on your student experience and life.
The Halton Scholarship Program for
International Study
This merit-based scholarship is
intended to encourage UNC Charlotte's best undergraduate students
to have an academic experience abroad.  This scholarship offers
financial assistance to UNC Charlotte students in hopes of strengthening
our mission to internationalize the student body. Awards are
$1000.00.
The Harold Josephson Scholarship for
International Study
This merit-based scholarship was
established in honor of former Associate Vice Chancellor for
International Programs, Harold Josephson. This scholarship is
awarded to UNC Charlotte's most outstanding undergraduate student
pursuing an education abroad experience. The award is $1000.00.
The William Wilson Brown Jr. Latin
American Studies Scholarship Fund
This merit-based scholarship is
designed to encourage undergraduate or graduate study in
Latin America or Spain. Students in any major or minor
will be considered for this award. Awards are $1000.00.
The Charles E. Zeigler Sr.
International Studies Scholarship
This merit-based scholarship is
designed to assist non-traditional undergraduate students with
demonstrated financial need to study abroad. The award is
$1000.00.
The
Robert J. Mundt Memorial Scholarship for International Study
This
merit-based scholarship is intended to defray costs associated
with a study abroad experience. Any full-time graduate or
undergraduate UNC Charlotte student is eligible for this scholarship.
International Programs and Organizations
1.
The Institute of International Education (IIE) offers sponsors various opportunities for students including the Fulbright Grant Program.
Graduating Seniors and Graduate Students are eligible to apply for the the Fulbright. More infomraiton can be found in the Office of Education Abroad
or by makeing and appointment with the Director of the Office. The OEA is located in 256 of the CHHS Building. The campus deadline for the
Fulbright is usually in early to mid-September.
2.
The Rotary Foundation offers the Ambassadorial Scholarship: an International Education program for ambassadors of goodwill.
3. Boren Awards encourage students to study in
non-western countries and/or areas and countries critical to US National security Interests. It is a competitive, merit-based scholarship. Awards can
be substantial. The deadline is usually mid-January. Make an appointment to talk with the Director of Education Abroad
for more information and an application.
4. Also try the International Finance Corporation. They provide loans for students who can not get financial aid. The address and phone number is below.
International Education Finance Corporation
424 Adams Street
Milton, MA 02186
(617) 696-7840
5. The International Resource Center in
256 College of Health and Human Services Building has a section on scholarships with several books and pamphlets that you can sort through to see if you qualify for any of them. You can look through
Financial Resources for International Study: A Definitive Guide to
Organizations Offering Awards for Overseas
Study.
The Library
The library is an excellent way to continue your hunt. Look in the reference section on the first floor for books on financial aid and scholarships. There are several books specifically related to international opportunities. Other scholarship/financial aid books can be found in the same section. They are as follows:
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Financial Aid for Research and Creative Activities Abroad
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Financial Aid for Research, Study, Travel, and Other Activities Abroad
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Financial Aid for Study and Training Abroad
Look through these, as well as others. Each book lists different opportunities for students. Look under the headings of the indexes for…
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your major
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your minor
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the country where you plan to study
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the state where you live now
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your ethnic origin
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your fraternity or sorority
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handicaps/disabilities
-
your job
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your hobbies or interests
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sports you play
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university clubs/groups of which you are a member
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religious orientation
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things that pertain to your parents (e.g. children of veterans)
Be sure to look under ALL headings to see which ones pertain to you. Write down important addresses, phone numbers and names. Save all of your notes so that you can use them later. Make a checklist so you know to whom you have written and who has responded.
Some other books to look for in public libraries or bookstores are:
Dan Cassidy’s Worldwide College Scholarship Directory. Daniel J. Cassidy. National Scholarship Research Service. Franklin Lakes, NJ: Career Press, 1995.
Financial Resources for International Study: A Guide for US
Students and Professionals. Marie O’Sullivan, ed. New York, NY: Institute for International Education, 1996.
World Wide Web
Use the following web sites to look for financial aid and scholarships.
www.studyabroadfunding.org
http://studyabroad.msu.edu/shared/afford.html
http://www.studyabroad.com/forum/financial_aid.html
http://www.finaid.org/otheraid/exchange.phtml
http://www.ips.uiuc.edu/scholarship/
*Adapted from Carol J. Lebold, Foundations of International Education: Study Abroad Advising. NAFSA: AIF Annual Conference, Washington DC, May 1998. Adapted from a handout created by Bob Jones, 1997.
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