FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
We designed our program with participants' realistic financial needs in mind. Below is a partial list of resources that Pioneer Valley-based participants may be able to access to make their trip financially feasible. With our unique Service & Study model, participants may be eligible for both study abroad, community organization funding (Rotary, Legion, etc.) as well as internship funding. The low cost and long duration of our program (6 weeks) meet most eligibility criteria for internship funding. This is only a guide and we strongly encourage interested participants to consult with their home institution and advisors for the most up to date information and tailored resources.
PERSONAL FUNDRAISING
Personal fundraising can be a great way for participants to call on their community to help make their travels possible. Whether going solo or teaming up with a group of friends, participants can choose to have a car wash, hold a bake sale, offer childcare or provide other goods and services to their community to make some extra cash! Online crowdsourcing campaigns have made it easier than ever for prospective travelers to collect necessary funds. We highly recommend this site for your personal fundraising needs: https://www.fundmytravel.com
FINANCING THROUGH PAYPAL
Participants may make their online tuition payment through Paypal Credit which gives the option of six month financing. This means that Paypal will front the cost and a participant will have six months to refund Paypal with no extra charges or fees (payments made over a course longer than 6 months may acquire additional fees and interest rates). Please refer to Paypal's website for more information.
FINANCIAL LOANS
Securing loans or federal aid through your home institution is another way to pay for your study abroad. We recommend Go Abroad for more information on study abroad financial loans. Citizens Bank offers the TruFit Student Loan to both U.S. and international students. They offer a choice of a fixed or variable interest rate, flexible repayment options, and there are no application, origination, or disbursement fees.
SCHOLARSHIPS
There are hundreds of organizations out there offering money for students to study and intern around the world! Below is a list of databases that provide extensive information on study abroad scholarships and grants for participants. On these sites, you will find the most comprehensive college scholarship search and grant listings, plus international student loan programs and other information to promote study abroad. After searching the databases and finding your ideal scholarships, scroll to the bottom of this page to find tips on successful scholarship writing!
General databases
Databases for underrepresented students
RESOURCES BY SCHOOL
UMass
The UMass Amherst Scholarship System is a vast database of scholarships and grants available to UMass students of all majors. Most scholarship and grant deadlines are in March and April. Check out their website to see which opportunities you may be eligible for!
Each academic department also has its own small-scale funding opportunities and limited scholarship funds that often receive little advertising and may not be listed in the database. For additional assistance students should make an appointment with their academic advisor or a faculty member of their department to help make their travels affordable.
Mount
Holyoke
The McCullough Center for Global Initiatives has a wealth of financial information and resources specifically for MHC students. Most notably, the MCGI offers LYNK-UAF funding to cover the costs of summer internships. LYNK grants are non competitive and are given to every single student once during their time at Mount Holyoke. LYNK awards up to $3,600 specifically for summer internships. Click here to learn more about LYNK!
Additionally students who are first-time international travelers may be eligible for the Karen Snyder Sullivan Award of up to $7,000. Click here to read more about this unique award.
For further assistance students should make an appointment with McCullough Center or their academic advisor as each academic department may have its own small-scale funding opportunities and limited scholarship funds.
Hampshire
The Global Education Office has financial information and resources specifically available to Hampshire students. Students can click here to see more of what the GEO offers. We strongly encourage students to click here and browse the master list of grants that are reserved just for Hampshire students.
For further assistance students should make an appointment with Global Education Office or their academic advisor as each academic department may have its own small-scale funding opportunities and limited scholarship funds.
Amherst
The Study Abroad Office at Amherst College has limited financial resources for students. As stated on their website, "Amherst College does not grant credit nor federal financial aid for summer study abroad".
However all hope is not lost! Students interested in traveling with SSSA should consider Amherst's Summer Experience Funding which is offered through the Center for Community Engagement. Summer Experience Funding awards up to $4,500 for unpaid international internships. Students should note that they may have to extend their travel in order to fulfill the time and eligibility requirements for the award. Students should contact SSSA to request extended travel and internship arrangements. Please visit the Center for Community Engagement's website for contact information and to make an advising appointment to learn more.
Each academic department also has its own small-scale funding opportunities and limited scholarship funds that often receive little advertising. For additional assistance students should make an appointment with their academic advisor or a faculty member of their department to help make their travels affordable.
Smith
The Office for International Study has financial information and resources specifically available to Smith students. Smith students are strongly encouraged to apply for Praxis Summer Internship Funding which is a stipend program for unpaid summer internships awarded to almost 400 students per year and can cover your program expenses.
For further assistance and to receive more information on what funding opportunities may be available to them, Smith students should drop by the Lewis Global Studies Center or make an appointment with their academic advisor as each academic department may have its own small-scale funding opportunities and limited scholarship funds.
