Financial Aid
NOTE: You will be able to apply most types of aid to any UW sponsored study abroad program. Please contact the IP&E and the Financial Aid Office for details. APPLY EARLY – deadlines are up to 18 months in advance.
University of Washington Scholarships for International Study
The IPE administers scholarship programs for undergraduate students for the quarters spent abroad. These scholarship programs are currently being revised. Please check back for updated application materials. Students are also encouraged to visit the Undergraduate Scholarship Office, located in 120 MGH. Scholarships can also be found online through various sources. Please note that not all scholarships can be applied to studying abroad. Students should check with their major department at the UW for scholarship opportunities.
Non-UW Grants and Fellowships
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Taken by Shannon Quinn while studying in Japan
Scholarships for undergraduates, graduates, and the employed to study in countries that host Rotary Clubs. Scholarships pay round-trip transportation, academic fees, and living expenses. Applicants must apply early as application deadlines are more than one year in advance of the academic year to which the scholarship pertains. Contact Seattle Rotary Club, 623-0023 or any Rotary Club for further information and application deadlines.
For graduate study or research abroad and for training in the creative and performing arts. US citizens with bachelor’s degrees and proficiency in the language of the host country are eligible. Seniors are also eligible to apply. Contact the Office of Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships, 301 Loew, 543-7152, www.grad.washington.edu/fellow/FellAsst.htm.
Pay educational and transportation fees and living allowances for two years' study at the University of Oxford, England. Applicants must be unmarried and less than 24 years old. Contact the Undergraduate Scholarship Office, 120 Mary Gates Hall, or visit https://www.washington.edu/students/ugrad/scholar/national/rhodes/index.html
D. Country specific scholarships may be available. Please check the IPE website, scholarship notebooks in the IPE reference library or with your foreign study adviser.
Other Funding Ideas
Need based financial aid, which you would normally receive for study at the UW can be applied toward a UW study abroad program, with some exceptions. If you are qualified to receive a Guaranteed Student Loan (GSL), you may be able to use the funding for study abroad programs with US-university affiliations, not just those sponsored by the UW. Consult the UW Financial Aid Office for more information.
Many community organizations, ethnic groups, social clubs and employers offer scholarships to university students. Consider requesting assistance from such clubs and groups and perhaps offer to make a presentation or offer volunteer services after you return. Be creative in your search for financial assistance.
Other Options
If you are not looking for strictly "study abroad" funding and would be interested in a different kind of inter-cultural experience, you may want to consider participating in an internship, work camp, volunteer, or student work program. Many of these provide stipends which cover your living expenses and/or room and board. You may also be interested in a student work program. See the "Work Abroad and Internships" outline, as well as other resources, in the IP&E office.
Three examples:
A. CIEE Work Abroad Program www.ciee.org
Primarily short-term employment in such fields as food service, customer service, secretarial work, and sales. Available in Costa Rica, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Jamaica and New Zealand. US students, at least 18 years of age enrolled in degree-seeking graduate or undergraduate programs, are eligible. For $200, CIEE provides a work visa, handbook, housing information, and job leads. Contact Council Travel, 1314 NE 43rd, Ste. 210, Seattle, WA 98105, (206) 632-2448, or CIEE, 205 East 42nd St, New York, NY 10017, (212) 661-1414.
Two-week summer work camps, or longer-term internships, working with the poor in Belgium, Canada, France, Great Britain, the Netherlands, or Switzerland. High school graduates with some work experience are eligible. Room is provided and food is paid for out of a $40/week stipend. Contact Fourth World Movement, 172 First Ave., New York, NY 10009, (212) 228-1339.
C. IAESTE (International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience) www.iaeste.org
On-the-job training assignments of eight weeks to one year in any of 50 countries for students of engineering, mathematics, architecture, agriculture, and the sciences. Knowledge of the native language of the country is sometimes required. Application is open to full-time students, undergraduate (at least sophomore standing) and graduate, majoring in one of the above mentioned fields. "Maintenance allowance," usually sufficient to cover living expenses, is paid by employer. Application deadline is December 10. Contact IAESTE Trainee Program, c/o AIPT, Park View Bldg., Suite 320, 10480 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044-3502;(301) 997-2200.
UW Resources For Further Information
Regular financial aid recipients may apply awards and loans to the cost of foreign study programs sponsored by the University of Washington. Office located in the Schmitz Hall lobby.
Listings of merit-based scholarships for undergraduate students. Offers scholarship workshops on how to gather scholarship information, write essays, etc. 120 Mary Gates Hall, 221-6023 www.washington.edu/students/ugrad/scholar/ Email: scholarq@u.washington.edu
C. Office of Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships
Maintains UW's most comprehensive listings of fellowship awards for graduate study. www.grad.washington.edu/Fellow/FellAsst.htm 301 Loew Hall, 543-7152.
D. UW International Programs & Exchanges (IP&E)
Maintains some resource materials, as well as applications for some UW study abroad programs that offer scholarships.
Web Sources for Further Information
http://www.washington.edu/students/osfa
http://www.fastweb.com
http://www.finaid.org/
http://www.istc.umn.edu/osad/scholarship-search.html
http://www.iie.org
http://www.studyabroad.com
http://www.ciee.org
http://www.collegeboard.org/fundfinder/html/ssrchtop.html
http://www.rams.com/srn/
http://www.educaid.com/
Guidelines for UW Financial Aid and Study Abroad
Apply for financial aid in the usual manner. You can get information and applications from the UW Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA), 105 Schmitz Hall, 9am – 5pm weekdays. Phone: (206) 543-6101 Email: osfa@u.washington.edu. Please remember that you can submit a FAFSA on the web at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/
When you receive your award letter (“Notice of Award and Acceptance”):
Accept the award offer as is and return it to the OSFA immediately.
If you wish to apply for an increase or a change of your award pick up a Revision Request form from the OSFA.
Complete and return this form to the OSFA as soon as possible and note the following special instructions:
On the top write FOREIGN STUDY in red pen.
Request a budget for your program/exchange from the IP&E Office and attach a copy to the Revision Request form.
If you have been awarded “University Tuition Examption” (UTE) or “Work Study” please also attach a written request asking that your award be revised to another type of financial aid, which you can use for foreign study.
The OSFA will review your request and notify you of any revised award. Please note that it is not unusual for this to take some time, especially if your period of foreign study is still several months away. Please be patient, and be prompt and careful in completing any additional information the OSFA may request.
If you have any questions about this process, or are concerned that you have not received a response from the OSFA and the beginning of your program is fast approaching, please check with an advisor in the OSFA by emailing them at osfa@u.washington.edu.
For easy access to your funds while you are abroad, you should arrange for direct deposit of your financial aid/scholarship (your money will go via Student Accounts directly to your bank account). You may sign up for direct deposit via your MyUW online.