Financial Aid | Boston University International Programs

Cost Breakdowns Financial Aid Application Forms Application Deadlines

Program Cost Details

Many financial aid officers require a "financial aid budget" or program cost breakdown. The fees, charges, and expenses shown are estimates based on current information only and are subject to change.

Program fees and expected cost-of-living for our programs.

Financial Aid Eligibility Guidelines

In order to be awarded a grant or scholarship, you must be accepted into a program offered by Boston University International Programs. You may, however, begin the grant/scholarship application process while applying to a program.

Non-Boston University students may submit applications for the fall, spring, or summer term.

Boston University students may submit applications for the summer term only.

Applications from graduate students must be accompanied by a letter of support from the Director of Graduate Studies for your program or from your faculty advisor.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Late applications will be considered depending on the availability of funds.

Please note: Certificate Program participants are not eligible.

How to Apply

Applications for financial aid must be submitted separately from your application for admission to a study abroad program.

Application (PDF)

Deadlines for Grant and Scholarship Applications

Boston University International Programs Grants and Scholarships Application Deadlines

Fall and Academic Year Programs: May 1
Spring Programs: November 1
Summer Programs: April 1

Financial Aid for Boston University Students

Boston University students are eligible to apply for grants or scholarships directly through Boston University International Programs for summer programs only. During fall and spring semesters, Boston University students are eligible to receive most forms of financial aid and should apply for those funds as they normally do, through the Boston University Office of Financial Assistance.

The one exception is the Padova Scholarship, which both BU and non-BU students may apply for:

Padova. Students participating in the Padova, Italy semester or academic year program are eligible to apply for Padova Scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $2,000. Students who are accepted to the Padova program will be forwarded application forms from Patrick Tuck, Program Manager for Padova at Boston University International Programs.

Please note that there are many other scholarships specifically for study abroad that you may apply for as well. Details are below.

Financial Aid for Non-Boston University Students

Boston University offers grants and scholarships to non-BU students for any full-year, fall, spring, or summer program offered by Boston University International Programs.

Last year, Boston University International Programs awarded grants and scholarships to 190 students, helping to make their summer, semester, or year abroad possible. You may qualify, too!

Amount of Awards

Awards are made based on both need and merit, with an emphasis on need. The dollar amounts vary and typically range from $300 to $3,000 and beyond, depending on the student’s circumstances and the cost of the program.

Program-Specific Grants and Scholarships

(Please note: these are minimum amounts. The actual award may be higher.)

Padova. Students participating in the Padova, Italy semester or academic year program are eligible to apply for Padova Scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $2,000. Students who are accepted to the Padova program will be forwarded application forms from Patrick Tuck, Program Manager for Padova at Boston University International Programs.

Federal Aid for Study Abroad

Many students use federal student aid to fund part of their educational expenses. These funds may also be applied toward funding a study abroad program offered through Boston University.

Either the student's home institution or Boston University can process federal loan applications.

We encourage students to continue working with their own financial aid office when planning for their study abroad semester.

We at Boston University International Programs are happy to complete the institution's Consortium Agreement form and verify the program costs and the student's enrollment status.

In the event that an institution chooses not to process its students' federal financial aid, Boston University can process a Federal Direct Stafford/Ford student loan, PLUS (parent) loan, and Pell Grant for eligible students, provided that the home institution completes the Boston University Consortium Agreement.

All financial aid inquiries and materials for study abroad participants should be submitted to Boston University International Programs. Students who plan to apply for federal loans through Boston University should contact us for instructions and forms at 617-353-9888, or by email at: abroad@bu.edu.

Scholarships for Study Abroad

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

Overview

Now accepting applications for Spring 2010 and Summer 2010

Application deadline is October 6, 2009.

Apply now at:

www.iie.org/gilman/

This year the Gilman International Scholarship Program will provide over 1,200 scholarships of up to $5,000 for US citizen undergraduates to study abroad. The program aims to diversify the kinds of student who study abroad and the countries and regions where they go. The program serves students who have been under-represented in study abroad which includes but is not limited to: students with high financial need, community college students, students in under-represented fields such as the sciences and engineering, students with diverse ethnic backgrounds, and students with disabilities. The program seeks to assist students from a diverse range of public and private institutions from all 50 states, Washington, DC and Puerto Rico.

Eligibility:

• The applicant must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant or provide proof that he/she will be receiving a Pell Grant at the time of application or during the term of his/her study abroad.
• The applicant is applying to or has been accepted into a study abroad program eligible for credit by the student's accredited institution of higher education in the US
• The applicant is studying abroad for at least 28 days in one country. Programs going to more than one country are eligible if the student will be studying in one country for at least 28 consecutive days.
• The applicant is studying abroad in any country except Cuba or a country on the State Department's current Travel Warning list.

The Gilman International Scholarship Program is sponsored by the US Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and administered by the Institute of International Education.

Bridging Scholarships for Study in Japan

The Bridging Scholarship program will award 20 scholarships to American students participating in study-abroad programs in Japan that begin in Spring 2010. Undergraduate students majoring in any field of study and attending any recognized exchange or independent program in Japan are eligible to apply for these scholarships.

Recipients of Bridging Scholarships will receive stipends of $2,500 or $4,000, depending on the length of their study program in Japan. The scholarships are funded by donations from US corporations and foundations to the US-Japan Bridging Foundation.

The deadline for applications for Spring 2010 scholarships is October 6, 2009.

Applicants will be notified of the results by November 25. Selection will be based on academic potential and financial need. The scholarships are administered by the Association of Teachers of Japanese.

Spring 2010 programs are those beginning between January and April 2010 and continuing for at least three months. (Summer program participants are not eligible for Bridging Scholarships.) Students planning to study abroad in Japan beginning in Fall 2010 or for the 2010-2011 academic year should apply in April 2010 for the Fall 2010 scholarships.

Information on the Bridging scholarships and downloadable application forms are available at ATJ's Web site: www.colorado.edu/ealld/atj/Bridging/scholarships.html.

DiversityAbroad.com's Study Abroad Scholarship

Diversity Abroad in conjunction with AIFS will award six $1,000 scholarships to any student who studies abroad with a DiversityAbroad.com partner organization. The scholarship essay question for the 2009/10 academic year is 'What does it mean to be a global citizen?'

Spring 2010 Scholarship Deadline is October 16, 2009

DiversityAbroad.com & The Turkish Coalition of America's Study Abroad Turkey Scholarship for Minority Students

Diversity Abroad in cooperation with the Turkish Coalition of America (TCA) awards grants in the amount of $2,000, $1,000 and $500 for ethnic minority undergraduate and graduate students. $2,000 grants are awarded for semester and academic year study abroad. $1,000 grants are awarded for short-term programs that last between 4 and 8 weeks. $500 grants are awarded for short-term programs less than 4 weeks long. Any African-American, Hispanic/Latino or Native-American undergraduate or graduate student from a US institution is eligible for the scholarship, regardless of the university they attend in Turkey or the program provider they use.

Fall 2009 & Spring 2010 Scholarship Deadline: Rolling, but students must apply before departing to Turkey.

See www.diversityabroad.com/scholarships for more details on all of Diversity Abroad's scholarships.

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

The DAAD offers scholarships for four to ten months for summer, semester, or academic year abroad programs in Germany. Open to full-time undergraduate students at US colleges and universities. Students must be juniors or seniors at the beginning of the award period. For more information: www.daad.org email: daadny@daad.org

National Security Education Program (NSEP) David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholarship

The National Security Education Program (NSEP) awards undergraduate scholarships and graduate
fellowships to American students for study of world regions critical to US interests (including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East). They offer Boren Scholarships, Boren Fellowships, and Language Flagship Fellowships.

Boren Scholarships provide up to $20,000 for an academic year's study abroad. Boren Fellowships provide up to $30,000 for language study and international research. For more information: www.borenawards.org, 1-800-618-NSEP, or boren@iie.org.

The Pamela Posen Endowed Memorial Scholarship

The Pamela Posen Endowed Memorial Scholarship is awarded to financially needy and worthy Boston University juniors and seniors to support travel supplementing the student’s study abroad. The scholarship is primarily intended to support travel related to the student’s study abroad program, but may be used for necessary academic expenses.

Preference in the selection process will be given to students who best exemplify the spirit and qualities of Pamela Posen: individuals who are vivacious, love life, are interested in international travel and study, and hope to enrich their lives through a travel experience.

The Pamela Posen Endowed Memorial Scholarship at Boston University was endowed by Pamela’s mother, Mrs. Bonnie Gregge, and her family. Pamela Posen, a student at Boston University’s College of Liberal Arts, was tragically and senselessly killed in the December 21, 1988 crash of Pan American Airlines Flight #103 in Lockerbie, Scotland. Pamela was a bright, vivacious, and talented student who was deeply loved by her family and her many friends. She was interested in experiencing and understanding the cultural, academic, and life experiences afforded to students who study abroad.

The Award: One or more awards will be made annually for approximately $2,500; smaller awards may also be made. The award is intended to help support travel supplemental to a student’s overseas studies. So that it will not conflict with a student’s financial aid award, the scholarship will normally be awarded at the end of the student’s study abroad program, while the student is still overseas. Students need not receive financial aid to be eligible for the award; however, they must demonstrate financial need. Applications will be reviewed by and recommendations for recipient selection will be made by Pamela Posen’s family members.

Eligibility: To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must:

be juniors or seniors during the period in which they will study overseas
participate on a study abroad program during the Spring Semester
show financial need for the purposes of the award
already be approved by Boston University International Programs for enrollment in a study abroad program. This may be a Boston University program, a program sponsored by another institution, or direct enrollment in a foreign institution. Applicants should consult Boston University International Programs office for further information on study abroad opportunities.
exemplify the spirit and qualities of Pamela Posen

Download an application to the Pamela Posen Endowed Memorial Scholarship (PDF).

Rotary Foundation

Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships are offered each year to promote international understanding and relations between people of different nations. Applicants must have completed two years of college course work. Interested individuals should contact their local Rotary Club for an application and to inquire about scholarship availability. Information is also available at: www.rotary.org/foundation/educational/

Studyabroad.com Financial Aid Forum

This website provides several useful links to sources of information about financial aid for study abroad: www.studyabroad.com/forum/financial_aid.html

Other Kinds of Financial Aid

In addition, students may be permitted to use part or all of their school’s financial aid package for study abroad, and should discuss this with their financial aid and study abroad advisors. With the federal direct Stafford/Ford loan program, students can borrow up to $5,500 per year (for juniors and seniors; sophomores can borrow up to $3,500 per year). With a PLUS loan, parents can borrow up to the entire cost of the program, including tuition and program fees, cost of travel, living expenses, books and medical insurance. If your school will not process these loans for you, contact us and we will send you further information, instructions, and forms.

Boston University • International Programs • 888 Commonwealth Avenue • Boston, MA 02215
Contact us at 617-353-9888 or abroad@bu.edu

Deadlines for Grant and Scholarship Applications Boston University International Programs Grants and Scholarships Application Deadlines