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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:
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Obtain cost information for each program you are considering.
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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.
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Speak with an education abroad advisor in the UCIE Office about planning your study abroad experience.
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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
Please contact the WSU Study Abroad Team at studyabroad@wright.edu to learn more about any of the following awards:
UCIE Ambassador Program Study Abroad Scholarship
This $500 award is available to all students applying to faculty-led (aka Ambassador) study abroad programs for credit. You can find the application in your study abroad application portal. It will be awarded by reducing the last of your programs fees that are due to the UCIE. Awarded on a first come first serve basis to students who have paid the $100 app fee, $500 program fee deposit, and been accepted into the program by their faculty program leader.
2027 WSU USAC Scholarship
USAC is a partner organization that offers summer, half-summer, semester, and yearlong programs to WSU students. If you are interested in going abroad with a USAC Program during the 2026-2027 academic year, we are offering a $500 to students who apply to USAC programs. Explore and find your USAC program (off-site).
To learn more email studyabroad@wright.edu.
UCIE Study Abroad Frequent Flyer Scholarship
Considering studying abroad again? The UCIE sponsored 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 either in November or January, exact dates TBD.Lake Campus students should inquire at studyabroad@wright.edu to learn more. The award amount is $300. It will be awarded by reducing the last of your programs fees that are due to the UCIE.
Hungarian Study Abroad Scholarship
This award is available to any student studying abroad on any WSU program, who also has an interest in the history and culture of Hungary. Students must have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA and write an essay on their academic and professional goals outlining their connection or interest in Hungary. Student recipients may be asked to serve as volunteers to promote the scholarship in our campus and community. Awards range from $500-$1500. The deadline is February 7, 2027.
Hungarian Evangelical and Reformed Church of Dayton’s Eastern European Travel Fund
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.
Applicants need to have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and write a 500 word essay explaining why their travel/study abroad experience is important to them and what they hope to learn about their destination in Eastern Europe. Preference will be given to students traveling to Hungary. The deadline is February 7, 2027.
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. There will be two $500 awards. You can find the application in your study abroad application portal. It will be awarded by reducing the last of your programs fees that are due to the UCIE. Deadline is February 7, 2027.
Take Flight Program Study Abroad Scholarship
This scholarship can be up to a $5,000 award to students currently enrolled and in good standing with the WSU Take Flight Program. You can find the application embedded in your study abroad application portal. Deadline is TBD.
Joëlle Giacinti Scholarship
This award is for applicants in the French Language Ambassador Program who pay their $100 application fee and $500 program fee deposit before January 31. The award will be dispersed into the student's bursar account.
Email pascale.abadie@wright.edu for details.
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 students who are actively participating in the University Honors program. The award for this scholarship is $500. 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 TBD.
CoLA Study Abroad Scholarship
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. Applications can be found on the COLA website. The award amount varies from $250-$1,500. For more information email liberalarts@wright.edu Awards will be applied to the student’s bursar accounts. The deadline is February 7, 2027.
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 any credit baring study abroad program. 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.
Gilman-McCain Scholarship
The Gilman-McCain Scholarship provides awards of $5,000 for undergraduate children or spouses of active-duty service members to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs. The scholarship honors the late Senator John McCain's legacy of public service by enabling undergraduate students to develop the leadership, career readiness, skills, and global perspective to pursue careers of service.
Learn more about the Gilman-McCain Scholarship.
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.
Center for International Studies Abroad (CIS Abroad)
CIS Abroad has a variety of scholarships and grants for CIS Abroad programs. Scholarships and grants are award three times a year.
Learn more about CIS Abroad Scholarships & Grants.
AIFS Abroad
AIFS Abroad awards a variety of scholarships and grants each year. Parried grants are available for students who are Pell Grant Eligible, FEA recipients, Gilman recipient, U.S. veterans, and AIFS Alumni.
Learn more about AIFS Abroad Scholarships & Grants.
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.
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 (off-site), Chinese (off-site), Hindi (off-site), Japanese (off-site), Korean (off-site), Persian (off-site), Portuguese (off-site), Russian (off-site), Swahili (off-site).
More information for the applicants can be found on the CLS Program website. (off-site)
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.
The Going Abroad Scholarship
The Going Study Abroad Scholarship is open to both undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled at an accredited higher education program in the United States (and its territories and possessions) and will be studying abroad. Twice a year, two outstanding students will win $1,500 scholarships towards their upcoming study abroad program.
Learn more about Going Abroad Scholarship.
Go Overseas Study & Intern Abroad Scholarship
Review and community platform for programs abroad, Go Overseas, has connections with more than 15,000 study abroad, internships, teaching, volunteering, gap years, and high school abroad programs. Students applying to any study abroad program are eligible to apply for the Go Overseas Study & Intern Abroad Scholarship.
Learn more about Go Overseas Study & Intern Abroad Scholarship.
IIE Generation Study Abroad Travel Grants
Institute of International Education, Inc. (IIE) Generation Study Abroad Travel Grants are a scholarship program that is intended to diversify study abroad and to encourage students to go abroad who would otherwise not participate in an international experience as part of their college education, especially in support of high-achieving, low-income students.
Learn more about IIE Generation Study Abroad Travel Grants.
BUTEX Scholarships
British Universities Transnational Exchange (Butex) is a membership organization offering scholarships to undergraduate students for summer, semester, or full year terms. The award amount is £600.
Learn more about British Universities Transnational Exchange (BUTEX).
British American Chamber of Commerce (BACC)
For undergraduate students planning a semester or short-term study in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales. Award Amount is $2,500-$3,500.
Learn more about BACC Scholarship.
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. (off-site)
Delta Phi Alpha Study Abroad Scholarships
The National German Honors Society, Delta Phi Alpha, offers several scholarships to recognize high-achieving undergraduate students who plan to study abroad in Germany. Students must show how they plan to use German after graduation, including a study abroad German-speaking country, graduate studies, career goals, volunteer and service years, or more.
Learn more about Delta Phi Alpha Study Abroad Scholarships.
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. Academic/Calendar Year Award: up to $7,000.
Learn more about Freeman Awards for Study in Asia.
Bridging Scholarships for Study Abroad in Japan
The Association of Teachers of Japanese Bridging Project offers scholarships to U.S. citizen undergraduate students participating in study abroad programs in Japan for more than three months. Award amounts range between $2,500 and $4,500, depending on your program term duration.
Learn more about Study Abroad in Japan: Bridging Scholarships.
The U.S.-Japan Council Toshizo Watanabe Endowed Scholarship
A $10 million endowment gift from Mr. Toshizo (Tom) Watanabe to the U.S.-Japan Council started the Toshizo Watanabe Endowed Scholarship Fund. It provides financial assistance to Japanese and American undergraduate and graduate students pursuing study abroad program.
Learn more about U.S.-Japan Council Toshizo Watanabe Endowed Scholarship.
JASSO Scholarship
The Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) offers a scholarship for qualified international students who are accepted by a Japanese institution under a student exchange agreement or other student exchange arrangement.
Learn more about JASSO Scholarship.
The MEXT Scholarship
Since 1954, the Government of Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT or Monbukagakusho) has provided scholarships each year to assist students interested in studying at Japanese universities through the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship Program.
Learn more about MEXT Scholarship.
Education New Zealand Scholarships
Education New Zealand, an official website managed by the government of New Zealand, manages several outbound scholarships for student who wish to study abroad in New Zealand.
Learn more about Education New Zealand Scholarships.
Australian Government Education Office
If you're looking to study in Australia, there are many scholarships, grants and bursaries which can assist you financially while you study in Australia.
Learn more about Australia Government Scholarships.
American Women’s Club in Sweden (AWC)
The AWC Scholarship Foundation was created in 1982 by the late Dr. Jesse Lokrantz, an esteemed member of the American Women’s Club in Stockholm. The purpose of the scholarship is to facilitate study for American citizens at accredited Swedish universities and/or to facilitate study of AWC members or their children at an accredited university in the United States. Both female and male applicants are welcome. Applicants must be American citizens.
Learn more about the AWC Scholarship.
Diverse International Women of Color (DIWC) Scholarship
The Diverse International Women of Color Study Abroad Scholarship is a nonprofit organization intended to assist women of color who are exceptional in their studies and in need of financial assistance to study abroad. DIWC awards scholarships to women of color who have been accepted to an in-person study abroad program.
Learn more about DIWC Scholarship.
Golden Key Study Abroad Scholarship
Golden Key International Honour Society is the world's largest collegiate honor society for graduate and undergraduate students and connects with more than 400 institutions worldwide. Society members who are top performers in their class may use the scholarship portal tool to find scholarship opportunities that range between $500 and $1,500.
Learn more about Golden Key Study Abroad Scholarship.
Joy Worldwide Inc.
Joy Worldwide Inc. is a non-profit corporation that provides education, advocacy, and scholarship programs for African American students pursuing study abroad opportunities. Awards range from $500 to $750.
Learn more about Joy Worldwide.
The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF)
The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) administers nearly 200 scholarships annually for students studying a wide range of academic areas. Students who are Italian American or majoring in Italian studies or a related field are eligible. Award amounts range in value from $2,500 to $12,000.
Learn more about National Italian American Foundation.
Rotary International Scholarships
Your local Rotary International club is part of a global service organization that aims to promote peace, fight disease, support education, protect the environment and improve communities. They offer scholarships for undergraduate studies that can often be used for study abroad.
Find your local Rotary club.
GAIN Travel Grant
This is a financial need-based grant award by Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE). Awards up to $1500 for semester programs and $500 for summer programs that goes towards the cost of airfare.
Learn more about the GAIN Travel Grant.
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.