Meredith College students have a variety of options for obtaining financial aid for study abroad. The Office of Study Abroad works closely with the Office of Financial Assistance to provide information on financial aid options.

Meredith Study Abroad Scholarships (available for summer and semester programs):
Meredith Study Abroad scholarships are highly competitive and based primarily on a student’s strong academic and service record. Awards amounts typically range between $500 to $1500, depending upon the number and quality of applicants and the expense and length of the program.

The Office of Study Abroad administers a number of endowed scholarships for study abroad, including the following: 

• The Class of 1967 Travel Award,
• The Lucretia Dean Vick Travel Award,
• The Mark Rose China Travel Award,
• The Ross Family Travel Award,
• The Langley Family Travel Award, and
• The Taylor Family Travel Award.

There is also another smaller scholarship competition in the fall for students studying abroad for the spring semester.  

To Apply: All awards are based on one common application.  Students can download an application here or pick up scholarship applications in the Study Abroad Office in Joyner 124.

Deadlines: Summer and Fall applications are due no later than February 15.  Applicants will be notified in mid- to late-March.  Spring applications are due no later than October 15;  notifications go out in mid-November.

Other Financial Assistance Options

Student Loans (available for summer and semester programs)
Students may apply for additional loans to help pay for their expenses abroad. Students may apply for or increase their federal Stafford or Parent Plus Loans up to the maximum amounts for each class (e.g. $3500 for sophomores for Stafford).

There are also other loan options available, including loans specifically for Study Abroad Programs. Students will work closely with the Office of Financial Aid to determine their eligibility for each loan category as well as the amounts available for the time they will be abroad.

For further information, see the Meredith Office of Financial Asistance or visit http://www.internationalstudent.com/loans/.

Note for Summer: Summer students must do at least 6 hours of credit over the summer AND their study abroad program must be at least 18 days in length to qualify for financial aid. All 6 hours of credit do not have to be from a study abroad program.  They can be from a combination of U.S. summer school course work and study abroad.

Regular Meredith Financial Aid (available for semester programs):
The regular financial aid that a student receives during the semester here at Meredith will transfer to an approved study abroad program during her first study abroad experience for which she uses Meredith-based financial assistance. This includes any Meredith scholarships, federal and state grants or loans, etc. (including the NC Tuition grant).  For subsequent study abroad experiences, only aid from non-Meredith sources may be used.

Students will still have to compile the regular financial aid paperwork (e.g. FAFSA) for their Meredith financial aid and complete additional paperwork for study abroad financial aid (see What’s Next?). Financial aid can go towards any expenses of studying abroad, including tuition, room and board, international flight, local transportation costs, visa and passport fees, and required vaccinations.

Meredith College understands the value and importance of studying abroad.  Therefore, the College will make reasonable, good faith efforts to assist all interested and qualified students study abroad.  However, the College cannot guarantee the existence or availability of any study abroad program, class, or financial aid.  Such offerings are subject to conditions beyond the control of the College, and vary from semester to semester.  As a result, the College reserves the right to terminate, limit, and/or modify any study abroad offering, including financial aid, as the College deems necessary.

Outside Scholarships (available for semester programs):
Semester students also have access to a variety of external scholarship monies. Many study abroad programs provide scholarship options for semester students.  Each study abroad provider lists scholarship opportunities and the application process on their website.

Government sponsored scholarships exist for different criteria.   Students who are eligible for Pell Grant funding may find the Gilman Scholarship of interest.  The Boren Scholarship program has also been established to support students studying critical need languages

Scholarships are also available for study in specific countries and regions.  These include the following:

Freeman Asia Awards: these range from $3,000 - $7,000 depending on the length of the program.

AIEJ Scholarship:  For study in Japan.

ATJ Bridging Scholarship: For students interested in studying Japanese language in Japan.

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD): For students studying in Germany.

The Rotary Foundation offers Ambassadorial Scholarships for students who are studying abroad for a semester or academic year.  Applications are made through the local Rotary chapter.  The contact person at the Cary McGregor Rotary Club is Mr. Robert Malone.  He can be reached by e-mail at papananmel@aol.com.

For more information on scholarships in general, please contact Liz Yaros at yaroseli@meredith.edu.

What’s Next?
Students interested in financial assistance should consult with the Office of Financial Assistance as they work through the application process.  Applications include an expense and resources form to assist with financial planning.

Please note that the Office of Financial Assistance cannot fully process any financial aid information until the student has been admitted to the program and completed the Study Away Financial Assistance Application so your first step is to apply to the program before you can receive specific financial aid figures.

However, for general budget advice and financial aid planning for semester and summer programs, please see Office of International Programs.

 

How to Apply for Financial Assistance

In order to begin the process of applying for aid to study abroad, you should complete a Study Abroad Application for Financial Assistance.  Forms for semester study abroad and summer study abroad are available in the Office of International Programs, the Office of Financial Assistance, and on the Office of Financial Assistance Website