Funding Opportunities
Funding your study abroad experience can sometimes be frustrating and difficult, but if you approach funding from several types of sources you are more likely to find the funds you need! If possible, fund your study abroad experience without taking loans, using credit cards, or other forms of acquiring debt.
You must contact and meet with a financial aid advisor in your institution's study abroad office (e.g., ) to assist you in applying for and finding additional resources to fund your study abroad experience!
Six Credit Hour Option
For those students who would be eligible for financial aid if they took a minimum of six credit hours during the summer term, there is an opportunity for independent study during the second half of the summer with Dr. Hume (the field school is four credit hours and the independent study could be two credit hours, for a total of six credit hours). For more information speak with your financial aid advisor and Dr. Hume about this opportunity.
Scholarships/Grants
The following are listings of funding sources that can be applied to the Ethnographic Field School in Belize, several of which are only available to certain individuals (e.g., students of 51AV). There are deadlines for most, if not all, of the scholarships/grants, so plan and apply early!
51AV
- - Maximum of $3,000 during NKU Tenure. Available for all NKU students who have a minimum overall GPA of 2.5, completed on semester at NKU, have a FAFSA up-to-date and on file, and are eligible to participate in the program. [Deadline: applications accepted between mid-November and mid-March, earlier better]
- - Maximum $500. NKU students who in good standing, have completed at least one semester at NKU, have completed SOC 100 using the textbook Sociology: A Global Perspective or Seeing Sociology: An Introduction. [Deadline: mid-March]
- - NKU students in the Honors program are eligible to apply for this award to assist with study abroad travel. Students must have completed two Honors courses, or be enrolled in your second Honors course when applying. Contact the Honors Program for more information and how to apply. [Deadline: early March]
Cooperative Center for Study Abroad
- - Maximum $1,000. The CCSA Storyteller Scholarship encourages student participation in CCSA programs by offering a means for students to tell their own CCSA stories. The awardee is expected to provide CCSA quality writing and/or imagery. The deliverable product must be appropriate for the CCSA web site, although the student may propose alternative formats such as a blog or a YouTube© project. [Deadline: T.B.A.]
Other Scholarships/Grants
- - The scholarship will be awarded to a student accepted to study abroad in Mexico, Central America, South America, France, or Germany. Minimum ward $1,250. [Deadline: mid-November]
- - GO! Overseas supports international education through scholarships available to students participating in study abroad programs. Scholarships are awarded each year and are based on the creativity and analytical thinking displayed through writing samples and/or video submissions. The amount of this award is $1,000. [Deadline: mid-May]
- - This travel grant of up to $2,000 is designed to assist individuals for research or study in the fields of business, humanities, science, engineering, liberal, fine or applied arts who wish to study or conduct research in the U.S. or in the countries of the British Commonwealth. Qualified undergraduate and post-graduate students are eligible to apply. NKU Students may pick up the application at the NKU Office of Education Abroad in University Center 415 or access it through the above link. [Deadline: January]
- - The Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants are designed to help support undergraduates as they seek knowledge and experience in their academic fields by studying abroad. Fifty $1,000 grants are awarded each year. [Deadline: April 1]
- - LIVFund offers its scholarship in 21 countries, including Belize. The scholarship competition is open to anyone who meets the eligibility conditions and needs help covering program or living abroad expenses. LIVFund will award two [2] scholarships per month to selected recipients in the amount of $500 USD each. [Deadline: Up to six months in advance of the program]
- - Most of their total annual funding is allocated for students and areas underrepresented in education abroad programs, including: students receiving the PELL Grant, ethnically diverse backgrounds, majoring in Science/Engineering/Math/Technology (STEM), studying at Colorado institutions, and veterans. Scholarship awards range from $1,000-$2,500. [Deadline: applications accepted between early March and early April]
- - Over 2,300 scholarships of up to $5,000 will be awarded this academic year for U.S. citizen undergraduates to study abroad. Award amounts will vary depending on the length of study and student need with the average award being approximately $4,000. 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 program or internship. [Deadline: applications accepted between January and March]
- - Fund for Education Abroad awards are intended to support students planning to participate in high-quality, rigorous education abroad programs. Funding amounts are up to $10,000. [Deadline: applications accepted between early November and early January]
- - Eligibility for this grant is limited to any full time degree seeking student currently enrolled in a degree program at any accredited institution of higher learning in Metro Louisville and contiguous counties in Kentucky and Indiana. It is also available to any full time degree-seeking student whose permanent residence is in the same area and attends an accredited institution of higher learning outside the area. Funding amounts are up to $1,500. [Deadline: applications accepted in early March]
- - $1,000 grants for study abroad, especially in critical areas. Recipients must be willing to share their experience with different audiences upon their return. [See web site for deadlines]
- - $1,000 grants to Girl Scout Silver or Gold Award winners. The Purpose of the Corinne Jeannine Schillings Foundation is to support undergraduate college women in the study of languages and learning about other cultures. [applications accepted from mid-March to mid-May]
Fundraising Techniques
You can raise your own funds to pay for your study abroad experience! Not only can you ask your friends and family for money, you can raise funds through the organizations of which you are a member (e.g., churches). Generally, when you raise funds, those that give you money expect something in return. You could reciprocate their funds with a framed photograph of you sitting atop a pyramid in Belize (a five-dollar gift in return for a twenty-five dollar investment). Crowdfunding (fund raising online with a service that take a percentage or fee) sites are becoming more popular, but be sure to be informed before using them. For more ideas, see the following web sites:
- - Nearly 300 different ideas for raising funds.
- Various Crowdfunding Services (fees as of March 4, 2014) - Read and understand all of the terms, conditions, fees, and rules!!!
- - They charge 4.9% + 3% credit card fees.
- - They charge 7.9% + $0.30 from each transaction.
- - They charge 5% + 2.9% + $0.30 processing for a total of 7.9% + $0.30.
- - They charge 9.0% fee on the funds you raise [if you reach your goal, you get 5.0% back, for an overall fee of 4.0%] + 3% credit card fees.
