For many students who want to study away, securing funds is a top priority. When I was deciding to study away, I sought help from the Office of Global Programs to learn about study away scholarship and funding opportunities.
NYU has 12 global sites in addition to its three degree-granting campuses. These opportunities enable students to take their education almost anywhere (except Antarctica!) and pursue their studies in a new place. Even students with stricter academic timelines or demanding majors can study away. To be sure, students can choose from a variety of locations and courses to find a program that meets their needs in the fall, spring, and even for January Term or Summer Session.
As a STEM student determined to spend time abroad, I applied to the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship offered through the US Department of State. Thankfully, NYU and the Gilman Scholarship helped me travel internationally for the first time and spend six weeks at NYU Paris.
STEM and Study Away
I am a Global Public Health/Biology major through the College of Arts and Science (CAS) and the College of Global Public Health. I had a lot to consider when I thought about studying abroad. That is, my degree requirements call for laboratory courses, and these labs are only provided at a limited number of sites. Additionally, pandemic shutdowns derailed my initial timeline to study away. As a result, I considered CAS summer and winter programs. So instead of pursuing an internship during the summer before my senior year, I wanted to spend that time at NYU Paris.
Preparing for Departure
After making the decision to apply, I knew I needed to find funding. As a Pell Grant student, I realized I was eligible for aid during the summer term. Students who are full-time students during the academic year can get assistance for summer program costs through the Summer Pell Grant.
Using the resources available at NYU, I found and received the following scholarships to make my dream of study away come true!
Global Pathways Scholarship
The Global Pathways Scholarship is based on demonstrated financial need, requiring a current FAFSA or CSS Profile (for international students). All undergraduate students admitted to a study away program at NYU will automatically be considered for the Global Pathways Scholarship. Specifically, the scholarship helped me to cover study away costs.
Dean’s Opportunity Fund for Study Away
The Dean’s Opportunity Fund for Study Away provides need-based financial assistance to CAS students who have been admitted to one of NYU’s study away programs and display financial need. There are two ways to receive assistance from this fund: study away during the fall or spring and study away during the summer. In either case, students apply for the scholarship the semester before studying away.
Those who study away during a summer program will receive a minimum of $1,500.
Students who will study away during the fall or spring can receive up to $1,500. However, there is a caveat: proof of employment. The spring and fall fund helps replace students’ loss of income from an on- or off-campus job. Obviously, in order to study away, they’d need to give up their current job.
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
Similarly, the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship provides scholarships to Pell Grant recipients so they can study away. The scholarship is federally sponsored through the US Department of State.
The Gilman Scholarship can provide students up to $5,000 for a semester or academic year.
Becoming a Gilman Scholar
The Gilman Scholarship enables low-income students to study abroad in an effort to increase study abroad participation among underrepresented groups. Not only are scholars awarded funds to use to study abroad, but they also gain access to a valuable alumni network.
The Gilman Scholar Network is the official site for Gilman Scholars and Alumni to connect with one another. Scholars and alumni are encouraged to form mentor/mentee relationships and take the opportunity to network. Moreover, this valuable connection assists with job and graduate school opportunities.
As a Pell Grant student, I was incredibly grateful for the opportunity to apply to a program that advocates for the success of students like me. The Gilman program enabled me to study away, learn a new language, and build connections with other leaders.
Additionally, NYU’s Office of Global Programs assists students interested in study abroad like information and advising sessions.
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