Many study abroad programs are only a few weeks long, so they can accommodate your hectic schedule back home. Are you concerned that studying abroad will be too expensive? It may surprise you to learn that it will frequently cost you almost nothing. Here, we offer seven funding options for short-term study abroad programs.
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How can I study abroad for free?
Free study abroad programs are hard to come by for students. However, this does not mean that there aren’t scholarships and other possibilities just waiting to be taken advantage of by motivated students; although it may be unrealistic to hope for completely free study abroad, there are a number of options that will get you very close to that goal, if not completely there. Given the current condition of international affairs, governments, educational institutions, and nonprofits all around the world aggressively promote early cultural interaction as a valuable educational tool. Here are funding options you can take to receive tuition-free study abroad:
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1. Find affordable study abroad programs.
Selecting a program that fits within your budget is the first step in earning a free education abroad. It’s critical to narrow down your selections early on because study abroad programs can range in cost from outrageously high to almost entirely supported. The hard work may begin as soon as you find a study abroad program that meets all of your requirements in terms of cost, location, academics, and schedule.
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2. Apply for scholarships to study abroad.
There are hundreds upon thousands of scholarships available for the taking. There is a good chance that you will find a scholarship that meets your needs and will enable you to study abroad for free, regardless of where you are from, what your hobbies are, or how much money you have to spare. Scholarships are typically awarded based on personal qualities, extracurricular accomplishments, and academic performance.
AfterSchoolAfrica is a great resource to guide you through the process of searching for the right financial aid opportunity. You have access to scholarships ranging from fully funded to program-specific to government-sponsored, offering up to thousands of dollars in tuition for your study abroad budget. Before you start applying, you may even filter study abroad scholarships by subject and region.
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3. Look for grants for studying abroad.
Like scholarships, there are federal, state, and municipal organizations that give study abroad grants. For instance, you can frequently use the Federal Pell Grant and Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunities Grant in the United States in addition to your regular tuition to pay for your study abroad trip. Furthermore, a range of different awards are provided by outside organizations, which can provide extra money to help keep your study abroad experience as inexpensive as possible.Â
Although “scholarship” and “grant” are frequently used synonymously, there is a technical distinction between the two: grants are typically need-based, whereas many scholarships are merit-based. The Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship and the DIS Need-Based Scholarship are examples of financial aid opportunities that cross that line. Note that fully-funded study abroad scholarships are a surefire way to go closer to studying abroad for free, though they are also highly competitive and have intense application processes.
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4. Consider Study Abroad Loans
Although taking out a loan does not guarantee a free study abroad experience, it can give many students much-needed flexibility in the short term, which can be a helpful first step in realizing their goals of a free study abroad experience. To get you started in the right direction, our comprehensive analysis of study abroad loans will provide you with all the information you require on the various private and state loan options available.
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5. Start Fundraising for Study Abroad
Loans, grants, and scholarships are all funding options that can be very helpful in obtaining a free or extremely inexpensive international education. However, they can occasionally be beyond your control once the application process is over. Why end there? Should you truly be interested in “studying abroad for free,” you must put in the effort to secure financial support from friends and family.
You can complete the remaining funding gap for your study abroad trip through personal fundraising. Starting a fundraising campaign at school, online, or with family and friends are all excellent options.
6. Find part-time jobs.
Taking up part-time work to support your studies is a funding option. It demonstrates to potential sponsors that you are making every effort on your own to raise the necessary funds to support your studies abroad. Everyone has a busy schedule while in school, but it’s never too early to start working and gaining experience in the field. Furthermore, it won’t negatively impact your resume in the end.
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7. Work and study abroad for free.
Certain places enable students—and those with student visas—to work while enrolled in college courses within their own country. This could be a fantastic chance to enhance not only your academic abilities but also the quality of your resume. Your resume will pay for itself threefold if you have foreign work experience. Your future is bright if you can figure out a way to work and study overseas for nothing.
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Do you want to study abroad? Note that obtaining a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree in this field helps to improve your chances in the labor market. Studying abroad is no joke for international students due to the cost. However, you can achieve your dreams without breaking the bank by applying for student loans, which you can pay for as long as 10 years.
MPower Finance and Prodigy Finance are some of the best student loan providers for international students. They also do not require a cosigner or collateral before an application. Reach out to us today, and let’s help you get started.
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