Financial Aid and Scholarships
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Funding Options
There are many options to pay for your study abroad experience. With Wright State study abroad programs, most financial aid and scholarships can be applied toward the cost! Meet with a study abroad advisor for the latest information on both internal and external scholarships.
In order to be considered for financial aid, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online at fafsa.gov. Wright State scholarship opportunities are available through the University Center for International Education or your specific college.
Any hesitation about studying abroad is typically related to the cost. However, what most students don’t know is that they can actually apply their current on-campus financial aid package to their study abroad trip in addition to their scholarships!
Financial Aid eligibility is determined by your financial need, merit, and type of study abroad program. In order to be eligible for Federal, State, and Institutional grants and/or loans, please file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For eligibility requirements and detailed information, visit the Financial Aid pages on the Enrollment Services website.
Using Financial Aid
If you are considering using financial aid for a study abroad program, please:
Obtain cost information for each program you are considering.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online for the academic year in which you will be participating in a study abroad program.
Speak with an education abroad advisor in the UCIE Office about planning your study abroad experience.
Contact our Financial Aid contact for Study Abroad if you are planning to use your financial aid (scholarships, grants, loans) towards a study abroad program. Schedule an appointment.
Please note: While the amount of your aid may be increased due to the additional costs involved in studying abroad (flight, cost of living, etc.), do not assume you will be awarded 100% of the money needed to cover the costs of your program.
Tips
- Program length and location can affect your budget. If one of the programs you are interested in is too expensive, meet with your study abroad advisor to look into other options.
- Meeting with our financial aid advisor can help you to begin to set up a budget for your desired program. To schedule an appointment, please email studyabroad@wright.edu.
- Be on the lookout for study abroad scholarships across campus and be sure to ask the UCIE about any scholarships they are aware of as well.
The University Center for International Education is here to support you throughout your study abroad journey–before, during, and after you return. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to us:
Email: studyabroad@wright.edu
Phone at 937-775-5745
Visit us in our office: 224 Student Union
Internal Scholarships
UCIE Study Abroad Scholarship
This scholarship is a first come first serve, though we have a large amount. You can find the application embedded in the program application. The award is $500. It will be awarded by reducing the last of your programs fees that are due to the UCIE. Deadline is February 7, 2026.
Wright State University Honors Program Study Abroad Scholarship
The University Honors Program has a small fund to assist Honors students with study abroad. To be eligible, Honors students must be registered for credit through Wright State University. Preference will be given to Honors students who are actively participating in the program. The award for this scholarship is $500. If you win, it will be awarded by reducing the program fee that is due to UCIE. Visit Honors Program Study Abroad Scholarship to learn more. Deadline is February 7, 2026.
The Bigler Travel Fund
The Bigler Travel Fund was started by Wright State alumnus, and three-term Foundation Board Trustee Eric P. Bigler. This yearly travel and study abroad scholarship is an opportunity for Wright State students to enrich their education and increase their awareness and understanding of the world in which they live. This scholarship is open to any major and requires a minimum 2.5 GPA. Award preference will be for students who have past community service or volunteer experience and for those students who are studying abroad on a Wright State sponsored program. Funds should be used for the academic components or travel for study abroad. Minimum award of $500.
You can find the application embedded in the program application. It will be awarded by reducing the last of your programs fees that are due to the UCIE. Deadline is February 7, 2026.
For questions, please contact studyabroad@wright.edu
Take Flight Program Study Abroad Scholarship
Applications are now closed! Please check back next year.
This scholarship can be up to a $5,000 award to students currently enrolled and in good standing with the Take Flight Program. You can find the application embedded in the program application.
For questions, please contact studyabroad@wright.edu
Hungarian Scholarship
Wright State University is pleased to announce that scholarships are now available to students with interest in Hungary.
Requirements
- Students must write a one-to-two-page essay on their academic and professional goals outlining their connection or interest in Hungary.
- Students are required to have a 3.0 GPA in order to qualify for the scholarship. Scholarships of up to $500-$1,500 per student can be awarded.
- Student recipients may be asked to serve as volunteers to promote the scholarship in our campus and community.
For more information, please contact studyabroad@wright.edu Deadline is February 7, 2026.
Hungarian Evangelical and Reformed Church of Dayton’s Eastern European Travel
It is the sincere desire of the Hungarian E&R Church that its mission of advancing religion and education, of combating community deterioration, and fostering positive community development including an appreciation of Hungarian culture in the Dayton, Ohio area is perpetuated through awarding the church’s scholarship annually to a Wright State University student seeking an extraordinary travel abroad experience in Eastern Europe, preferably Hungary. Furthermore, that the awardee will gain knowledge and insight of Eastern Europe culture and share it with fellow students, family, and friends. You can find the application embedded in the program application. It will be awarded by reducing the last of your programs fees that are due to the UCIE.
Requirements
- Students will write a 500 word essay explaining why the travel experience is important to them and what they hope to learn about their destination in Eastern Europe.
- A minimum GPA of 2.5.
Preferences
- Preference will be given to students traveling to Hungary.
Deadline is February 7, 2026. For more information, please contact studyabroad@wright.edu
CoLA Study Abroad Scholarship at Wright State University
These scholarships are for students who have a major or minor in the College of Liberal Arts and are seeking funds to study abroad at Wright State.
By submitting just one application, all students -- incoming, continuing, and transfer students -- can apply for multiple scholarships. For more information regarding the Financial Aid Scholarship process, please call Enrollment Services at 937-775-4000.
In addition to the central scholarship application system, The COLA Dean's Office & Dean’s Leadership Board are currently accepting applications for the COLA Study Abroad Scholarship. Applications are due around February and can be found on the COLA website. This scholarship application requires letters of recommendation so now is the time to ask your faculty, work supervisors, club advisors, etc. to write you a letter. The award amount varies from $250-$1,500. For more information regarding the COLA Dean's Study Abroad Scholarship process, please call 937-775-2225 or email liberalarts@wright.edu Deadline is February 7, 2026.
Joëlle Giacinti Scholarship
This is only for applicants in the France Ambassador Program who pay their $100 application fee and $500 program fee deposit before January 31, 2026. The award will be dispersed into the student's bursar account. Please email or contact Dr. Abadie for details.
Germany Engineering Program Scholarship
This award is provided by the College of Engineering and will be awarded to the students who commit to going on the Engineering Ambassador Program to Jena, Germany. This means they start an application and pay the $100 application fee and $500 program deposit fee. It will be awarded by reducing the last of your programs fess that are due to the UCIE.
Poland Program CoSM Study Abroad Scholarship
These are first come first serve for CoSM majors who are committed to the program. This means you need to pay the $100 application fee, $500 program fee deposit and meet with the faculty leaders to be accepted into the program. Awards will be dispersed to the winners by adding $500 to your student bursar account.
Frequent Flyer Scholarship
Considering studying abroad again? The Frequent Flyer Scholarship is for students who participate in more than one WSU Study Abroad Program. To be considered for this scholarship, applicants must start an application for their next study abroad adventure and commit to help promote study abroad at an approved UCIE promotional event (Nov 19, 2025 or Jan 21, 2026). Lake Campus students will have an opportunity on Nov 6, 2025 and possibly more. The award amount is $300.
Contact us at studyabroad@wright.edu to learn more and to sign up to work at either of these events.
2026 USAC Scholarship
If you are interested in going abroad with a USAC Program during the 2025-2026 academic year, we are offering a $750-$1,000 to students who apply to USAC programs. Explore and find your USAC program. To learn more email studyabroad@wright.edu.
External Scholarships
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program [undergraduate]
This Gilman Scholarship, seeks to diversify the kinds of students who study abroad and the countries and regions where they go. Scholarships of up to $5,000 will be awarded for semester and year-long programs, depending on the program length and student need. Undergraduates who are U.S. citizens and receive Federal Pell Grant funding are eligible to apply. More information for the applicants can be found on the Gilman Scholarship website.
University Study Abroad Consortium (USAC)
USAC has a variety of scholarships available to those applying to USAC partner programs. Historically USAC provides more than $2 million in scholarships, grants and discounts annually. Scholarships are awarded three times a year to assist USAC students with their study abroad expenses. Learn more on the USAC website.
WorldStrides Scholarship [undergraduate]
WorldStrides awards over $600,000 in grants and scholarships to participating students studying abroad through an WorldStrides partner program each year. Learn more on the WorldStrides Scholarship website.
Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) [undergraduate]
The Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) allows the applicant to submit one application for multiple study abroad scholarships with a total award potential of up to $5,000 per semester. FEA awards funds to students planning to study abroad on academically rigorous programs with a preference for underrepresented students and those who have financial need. Learn more on the FEA website.
Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program [undergraduate]
The U. S. Department of State CLS Program provides fully-funded group-based intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences for seven to ten weeks for U.S. citizen undergraduate and graduate students. Languages offered:
Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili. More information for the applicants can be found on the CLS Program website.
DAAD - Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (German Academic Exchange Service) [undergraduate]
DAAD offers a wide range of funding opportunities for students, faculty, administrators, and staff of higher education institutions located in the United States, Canada and their territories. Their primary goal is to facilitate transatlantic mobility to Germany for US and Canadian scholars, therefore Germany must be a component of your intended academic travel. Funding is awarded on a competitive basis; they consider the academic merit of the individual, the feasibility and quality of the proposal, and the impact of the applicant and application as a whole. For an overview of further details visit the DAAD website.
George C. Burke Scholarship for Summer Study Abroad [undergraduate]
The Burke Scholarship seeks to support students wanting to seek summer global experiences. The scholarship award amount is $1,000 for a student who is a sophomore or higher going on summer study abroad program that is at least 3 weeks long. More information for the applicants can be found on the Burke Scholarship website.
Donald N. Nelson Scholarship for Semester and Academic Year Study Abroad
The Nelson Scholarship seeks to support students going on semester and yearlong program that to a non-English speaking country. More information for the applicants can be found on the Nelson Scholarship website.
OIC Scholarship for Short-Term Study Abroad
The OIC Short-Term Study Abroad Scholarship is funded by the OIC, a collective of Ohio Universities. This scholarship offers support to student going on a credit bearing study abroad program, international internship, or virtual international program. More information for the applicants can be found on the OIC Scholarship website.
Boren Awards for International Study [graduate, undergraduate]
Boren Awards are funded by the National Security Education Program within the Department of Defense. Boren Scholarships offer support for U.S. undergraduates to study abroad in world regions critical to U.S. interests. Boren Fellowships enable U.S. students to add an important international and language component to their education through specialization in area study, language study or increased language proficiency. More information for the applicants can be found on the Boren Awards for International Study website.
Fulbright U.S. Student Program [Graduate]
This program, administered by the Institute for International Education, is designed to give B.S./B.A. graduates, masters and doctoral candidates and young professionals and artists opportunities for personal development and international experience. Grants last nine to twelve months, and can be used for study abroad, research, or teaching English abroad, and are available in 140 countries. More information for the applicants can be found on the Fulbright U.S. Student Program website.
Freeman Awards for Study in Asia
The Freeman-ASIA Award provides need-based funding to assist the recipient with the cost of the study abroad program and related expenses, including airfare, basic living costs, local transportation, books, etc. Grant amounts are: Summer Award: up to $3,000. Semester/Quarter Award: up to $5,000. Learn more about Freeman Awards for Study in Asia.
Tortuga Backpacks Study Abroad Scholarship
The Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship is a $1,000 given out every other year. The scholarship is sponsored by Tortuga, a company that makes carry-on-sized backpacks, and includes a travel backpack. Students can use the scholarship for tuition, room and board, books, and travel, but it's limited to the spring and fall semesters. Learn more about the Tortuga Backpacks Study Abroad Scholarship.
