FUNDING STUDY ABROAD

One of the biggest deterrents for students interested in studying abroad is the price. Compared to a regular semester at BCC, the expenses and fees may seem daunting but the biggest mistake students make is immediately discounting themselves for not having big bucks in the bank. STUDY ABROAD IS AFFORDABLE! So, instead of changing your mind about studying abroad---what you need to do is change your mindset first! Below you will find valuable information on various financial aid opportunities that you can put to work for you!

1.) Apply for financial aid!

If you’ve never applied for it, do it! Even if you have applied in the past and been denied, complete your FAFSA form again! Financial aid awards are determined by the cost of attendance for a given semester. Since BCC offers such low tuition costs, this may limit the amount of aid for which you qualify. However, because study abroad programs generally are more costly than a regular semester at BCC, reapplying or reporting study abroad as an increase in tuition costs may qualify you for a new award or additional funding. Since many federal grants and loans can be applied to study abroad, you may end up getting your study abroad at a considerable discount!  Apply now!  For more information, contact Gail Belby in the BCC Office of Financial Aid at 732-224-2723.

2.) Scholarships!

So you might have to write an essay, get another letter of recommendation, or fill out another form… And??? The bottom line is that scholarships are completely free money!!!! Even if you spend five hours applying for a $500 scholarship--that award means you were getting paid $100 per hour to do so!

If you’re worried about the competition for study abroad scholarships, keep in mind that less than 1% of college students across the United States choose to study abroad. On the BCC Campus, only about 4 students out of 14,000 apply for the Elaine Baran Scholarship for Study Abroad which is awarded every term to students participating in select programs. There is no excuse NOT to at least try.  Below is a list of external scholarships sponsored by a variety of entities.

  • Gilman Scholarships. These are for U.S. citizen students who are currently receiving Pell grants. The average award is between $3,000 – 5000.Grants can be applied for study anywhere with additional incentives given for less traveled countries and less commonly studied languages. 
  • Boren Scholarships. The National Security Education Program provides scholarships for study abroad to areas of the world where the U.S. government needs to build expertise (Middle East, Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa are some examples).

3.) Creative earning!

 

Try some of these techniques which other students have used to fund their upcoming adventures.

  • Waive holiday and birthday gifts and request financial gifts or loans instead.

  • Write a creative letter to all of your relatives and family friends, asking for financial support in exchange for monthly letters while abroad and a presentation and dinner upon your return.

  • Contact your local newspaper and ask to be paid for a series of columns to be sent from abroad.

  • Hold a bake sale, garage, flea or rummage sale.

  • Ask friends to join you in raising money by painting, cleaning, or car wash services.

  • Organize an event where you and/or some friends offer workshops for a reasonable fee (computer skills, cooking, quilting, yoga, karate, dancing, sign language, stained glass, woodworking, etc.).

  • Sell coffee and baked goods with a sign stating your purpose.

  • Collect used books, CDs, computer software, etc. and sell them in person or online.

  • Ask your church, synagogue, or temple to sponsor a special offering, dinner, or raffle and give the proceeds for study abroad.

  • Approach stores for donated supplies (such as clothes, camping gear, equipment, etc.).

  • Find out if your parents' employers have a scholarship program for their children.

  • Sell T-shirts for a local activity or cause.

  • In exchange for the use of your car while you're gone, ask a friend or sibling to make all or part of your car payments.

  • Investigate getting paid to assist with special event parking or to clean up a venue where an event has been held and ask your friends to join you.

  • SAVE, SAVE, SAVE!

 

4.)  Private Lenders!

While no one usually gets too excited about borrowing money, keep in mind that there is a BIG difference between careless credit card spending and taking out a loan to assist with educational investments. With a diverse labor market in an extremely global world, international experience can give the competitive edge to a student’s resume which can jumpstart your professional future. Private lending institutions generally provide student loans with reasonable interest rates that do not require repayment until after graduation. The personal and professional value of the experience will definitely outlast short-term obligations to a lender.

5.)  Online Resources for Financial Aid/Scholarships for Study Abroad!

 

6.) Alternative Opportunities!

 

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Brookdale, The County College of Monmouth

765 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738-1543
An equal opportunity/affirmative action institution