Finances
Does it feel impossible to afford the opportunity to go abroad? Well, one of the great things about UNC is that there is a vast array of resources (read: money) for students. Options as varied as the Carolina Global Initiative Award for summer travel or a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) from the Office of Undergraduate Research are available and offer funding amounts of up to $6,000. Some opportunities even include coverage for lost wages that you would have gained from working a summer job. Visit Embark Carolina’s Funding Finder to view a complete list of grants, awards, and other forms of funding.
Before applying to a study abroad program or funding opportunity, it is essential to create a preliminary budget. Estimate how much tuition, housing, food, and other items will cost for the duration of your trip. You will likely need to know this information before applying to various funding opportunities.
Consult our Funding Finder to view a robust list of scholarships, grants, fellowships, and other awards for global travel and study. Realistic funding opportunities exist, whether you’re a first-year student or PhD candidate. Some funding opportunities are merit-based while others are need-based. Obtaining internal funding from UNC or external funding can go a long way in making your budget feasible.
How to Budget for a Global Experience
Federal financial aid is not available for opportunities that do not offer academic credit like work experience, research, service, and other self-designed projects. It can be applied to opportunities that offer UNC academic credit, such as study abroad.
If you work during the school year and/or during the summer and need that money to help cover your expenses and the rising cost of tuition and fees, and if taking out another loan is just not an option, can you still go abroad? Global opportunities like alternative break programs and scholarship opportunities that cover wages lost from not working a job may be great fits for you. And there are some Study Abroad programs that may even be cheaper than studying at UNC (start by looking at Exchange or Direct Enroll Programs). Schedule an appointment with CGI to learn more.
