Financing Study Abroad

Studying abroad does not have to break your budget. With advance planning, financial aid and scholarships, most students can afford to incorporate an international experience into their university education. Study abroad programs offered at all UW campuses are available to UW Bothell students.

Planning ahead

Costs

The cost of studying abroad varies greatly depending on the type and location of the program you choose. In general, study abroad costs include:

• Program tuition and fees
• Airfare
• UW study abroad fee
• International living expenses
• Passport and visa costs
• International travel insurance (required for all UW students traveling abroad) and health costs

Financial aid

All UW faculty-led study abroad programs and many options through study abroad partners are eligible for financial aid. Any federal, state, or institutional financial aid can be applied towards study abroad costs. In addition, short-term loans are a helpful tool in covering up-front expenses, such as airfare. Tuition waivers or work-study awards do not apply.

Financial Aid Revision Request

In some instances you may qualify for an increase in your financial aid award (typically in loan funds) because the cost of participating in an approved study abroad program is higher than the regular cost of attendance at UW Bothell. To request a revision in your aid, submit the following paperwork to the Financial Aid Office once you are accepted and committed to a specific study abroad program:

1. Revision Request for Study Abroad Form: Go to the Revision Requests section of the page and click on the form for study abroad.
2. Official budget for your program: Print a PDF of the program budget from your program brochure webpage on the UW Study Abroad website. For UW Bothell-managed programs, a budget will be emailed to you.

Scholarships

There are many scholarships to support students in studying abroad. Securing external funding for a study abroad experience requires good planning. It is recommended that you think at least two quarters in advance. For example, if you want to study abroad in the fall, you must apply for study abroad scholarships during Winter and Spring Quarters. You can (and should!) apply for scholarships before you even apply to a study abroad program.

• Any student selected to participate in a UW Study Abroad program is eligible to be considered. There is no separate deadline and no additional application required: Check a box on your UW Study Abroad program application by the priority deadline to be considered for a scholarship.
• Washington state residents with the greatest financial need are given priority. Financial need is demonstrated via the FAFSA or WAFSA.
• Several scholarships are also available for undergraduates participating in UW exchange programs. These do not require financial need, and are open to resident, non-resident, and international students.
• To increase your chances of qualifying for a scholarship, consider study abroad programs that are at least a month long and in non-traditional locations, i.e. outside of Western Europe and Australia.

UW Bothell Study Abroad Ambassador Scholarship

Funding is $1k to $2k to offset travel expenses required to participate in a study abroad program. All UW Bothell students on a study abroad program are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be enrolled full-time in a UW Bothell degree program, including the quarter following study abroad and commit to promoting study abroad opportunities upon their return as a Study Abroad Ambassador. Deadlines: November 20, 2026; February 19, April 9 and June 18, 2027 at 11:59pm.

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

Funded by U.S. Congress, the Gilman program aims to bring diversity to study abroad, both in terms of who’s participating and where they’re going. Applicants must be undergraduates who are U.S. citizens or nationals and be receiving a Federal Pell Grant. Non-traditional destinations (outside of Western Europe and Australia) are preferred. Application deadlines: October 1, 2006 at 11:59pm and March (exact date to be announced).

Gilman-McCain Scholarship

Funded by US Congress, the Gilman-McCain International Scholarship is for Military Families. It provides awards of $5,000 for undergraduate child and spousal dependents of active or activated United States military personnel during the time of application to study or intern abroad. Applicants must be recipients of any type of Title IV federal financial aid during the time of application or during their study abroad program or internship. Application deadlines: October 1, 2006 at 11:59pm and January (exact date to be announced).

Fund for Education Abroad Scholarships

Intended to support students from underrepresented backgrounds in study abroad, the fund offers multiple awards of up to $10,000 each. Students are encouraged to apply before applying to a study abroad program. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident and participate in a study abroad program that is a minimum of four weeks long and is academically rigorous. Application deadlines: September 16, 2006 at 12:00pm Eastern time and February (exact date to be announced).

Partner program scholarships

Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE)

For CIEE programs, all UW students receive a $500 discount per session block. Students who receive a Federal Pell Grant are guaranteed a CIEE GAIN Grant to help cover travel expenses. Students who apply for Gilman scholarship automatically receive an additional $1,000 Go Global Scholarship from CIEE, even if they are not selected for a Gilman award.

CIEE also offers additional need-based, merit-based, and other scholarships through their program application. Student are encouraged to submit the scholarship/finance portion of their CIEE application early to be maximize their eligibility for funding opportunities. Application deadlines: Summer and Fall programs are due April 1, 2027 and Spring and January programs are due October 15, 2027.

School for International Training (SIT)

For the SIT scholarship, students receiving a Federal Pell Grant during their study abroad term receive a matching grant from SIT. Additional scholarships are available as part of the SIT program application.

Critical Language Scholarship

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for American students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. Students of diverse disciplines and majors are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen. Application deadline: November (exact date to be announced).

Languages offered:

• Hindi, Persian, Portuguese, Swahili (no previous study required);
• Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Russian (one year of study required, or equivalent);
• Japanese (two years of study required)

Boren Awards

Funded by the National Security Education Program, Boren Awards encourage undergraduates and graduates to study less commonly taught languages and cultures in regions critical to U.S. national security interests. The scholarship offers up to $20,000 for year-long programs. Recipients commit to work for the federal government for one year post-graduation. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen. Application Deadline: Undergraduate – January 27, 2027 at 5:00pm Eastern time. Graduate – January 20, 2027 at 5:00pm Eastern time.

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Scholarships

The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers a variety of opportunities for Americans to study, conduct research, or work in Germany, including study abroad scholarships, summer study programs, and research internships in science and engineering. Deadlines: Vary by program, with many opportunities due between October and December.

Fulbright Summer Institutes in the UK

The US-UK Fulbright Commission offers fully funded, 4-6 week study abroad programs at prestigious British institutions to promote Americans’ understanding of the UK. Applicants with limited international experience are encouraged to apply. Application deadline: Usually early February (exact date to be announced).

Applicants must:

• Be in your first or second year of undergraduate program
• Be a U.S. citizen
• Have a 3.5+ GPA

Scan|Design Fellowship

In 2005, the Scan|Design Foundation by Inger and Jens Bruun, based in Seattle, Washington, established a study abroad fellowship program at the University of Washington. The program is designed to foster Danish-American relations by providing generous financial support to undergraduate and graduate students who have been accepted to study abroad in Denmark for a semester, a summer, or a full academic year through any of UW Seattle’s Danish study abroad exchange programs. These include the University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Business School, the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, the Aarhus University, Aarhus School of Architecture, and the affiliated study abroad program with the Danish Institute of Study Abroad (DIS). Summer scholarships are also available for summer travel study (exchange or independent study options).

There is no separate application for the SDF Fellowship. Students are automatically considered for the fellowship when they apply to a UW Study Abroad program in Denmark. The fellowship amount is determined based on financial need, using information from the student’s FAFSA or WASFA.

External scholarships

*Note: These programs are not endorsed by UW and may use your information for promotional purposes.

Go Overseas Scholarships

Go Overseas partners with specific universities and travel organizations to fund American students going abroad. Several scholarships are available throughout the year, to take classes directly at specific universities in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Scotland. Note that not all GoOverseas partners are UW exchange partners, but several are! Deadline: varies.

Scott’s Cheap Flights Study Abroad Scholarship

One $1,000 scholarship awarded each Fall and Spring. Applicants must be U.S. residents. Deadlines: October 15, 2026 and March 15, 2027.

Contact us

Both virtual and in-person appointments are available!

Peer Study Abroad Advisors
Email: uwbworld@uw.edu

Natalia Dyba, Director of Global Initiatives
Email: nataliak@uw.edu
Phone: (425) 352-3261

*Note: Graduate students, alumni, faculty and staff: please email to schedule an appointment.