Financial Aid and Scholarships

Studying abroad involves a commitment and is an investment in your future. Like any other type of investment, it requires advance planning, careful management, creativity, and perseverance. The personal, academic, and professional rewards will last a lifetime. The following will give you information on financial aid, scholarships, and creative fund-raising Ideas.

Scholarships

ASI-CSULB Study Abroad Scholarship 

The Associated Students Inc. (ASI) and the Center for International Education are pleased to announce a new scholarship to enable more students to study, intern, or volunteer abroad. See details, deadlines, and application for the ASI-CSULB Study Abroad Scholarship

Eligibility:

  • CSULB Students: must be in good standing
  • Program Type: Awards will be given to students who have applied and been accepted to study, intern, or volunteer abroad through
    • CSU International Programs (IP)
    • CSULB Direct Exchange Programs
    • CSULB Florence Semester
    • CSULB London Semester
    • CSULB Short-Term, Faculty-Led Programs (Summer, Winter, or Spring Break)
    • CSULB Affiliate Programs (e.g., Lorenzo de Medici, FIE, John Cabot, etc.)
    • Independent programs (e.g., AIFS, API, CEA, ISA, Semester at Sea)
  • Program Length: One year, One semester, or Short-Term (less than one semester)

Career Development Center Scholarships

The CSULB Career Development Center offers study/internship abroad scholarships during each calendar year.

  • $1,000 - Semester Programs
  • $750 - Short-Term Programs

Eligibility:

  • Must be a currently enrolled student at CSULB in good academic standing.
    Previous winners are not eligible.
  • Must be selected and agree to participate in one of the following CSULB study abroad programs:
    • CSULB Direct Exchange Programs
    • CSULB Florence Semester
    • CSULB London Semester
    • CSULB Affiliate Programs
  • Must be a recipient of a Federal Pell Grant (undergraduate student) or a State Grant (graduate student).
  • Must have parents who have not received a Bachelor's degree from a college or university.

Application Requirements:

  • Submit a typed essay (no more than two pages, double-spaced) that describes:
    1. how study/internships abroad will enhance your personal growth;
    2. how study/internship abroad will make you a stronger candidate for employment; and
    3. the highest level of education completed by each of your parents. 
  • Attach a cover sheet that contains your name, student ID number, phone number, e-mail address, major, country where you plan to study, and program type (academic year, semester, short-term).
  • Submit the essay with a cover sheet to cdc.careerlink@csulb.edu with the subject: Study Abroad Scholarship. Award recipients will be notified approximately one month after the application deadline.
  • As a condition of this scholarship, recipients will be scheduled to meet with a counselor in the Career Development Center before leaving for study abroad and after returning from study abroad.

Application Deadlines:

  • Winter 2025 & Spring 2025: October 2, 2024
  • Academic Year: March 13, 2025
  • Summer 2024 & Fall 2024: March 13, 2025

College of Education Study Abroad Travel Stipend

College of Education (CED) students are invited to apply for a travel stipend of up to $1,000 from the College to support travel expenses (i.e., travel, boarding, lodging and meals) for a summer, winter, semester, year-long, or short-term study abroad trip through CSULB. This travel stipend may not be used toward payment of tuition and fees.

Eligibility:

  • You must be a current matriculated CSULB student enrolled in an undergraduate, credential, or graduate program in the College of Education during the period of the Study Abroad trip.
  • You must be in good academic standing in your program.

Application requirements:

  • Complete the application form included in the InfoReady online system
  • Include a copy of your resume
  • Include a copy of your CSULB unofficial transcript
  • Include an essay (750 words, double-spaced) that describes:
    • the study abroad trip you will be participating in
    • the cost of your study abroad trip
    • why you believe you have a financial need
    • whether you have received assistance from any other University source, and if so, how much, and
    • how you anticipate this travel will impact your success in your selected career

Application deadline:

  • Please submit a complete application via the InfoReady online system by 11:59 pm in November 2024 for study abroad planned for Winter 2025, Spring 2025, or Summer 2025.

Notification of funding:

  • You will be notified of funding received by December 2024. If awarded, the study abroad travel stipend will be paid out to you upon completion of the travel and receipt of original receipts in the amount of the award. Please be sure to keep copies of your receipts so you may be reimbursed in the amount of the award.

Boren Undergraduate Scholarships

Boren Graduate Fellowships

  • Non-traditional education abroad countries & language study. For more detailed information see, Boren Graduate Fellowship.pdf.
  • National Deadline:  January 2025
  • Apply for the Boren Graduate Fellowship.

Bridging Japan

  • $2500 awards to study in Japan
  • Campus Deadline: April 2025, for study (semester or academic year).

CLS Critical Language Scholarship Program

  • Undergraduates and Graduates: Fully-funded Summer Language Study. Intensive eight to ten weeks of cultural immersion and study of (one of 14 targeted) languages considered critical to the U.S. government. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.
  • Apply for the CLS Critical Language Scholarship 

Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship 

  • Four-week intensive summer study abroad program (ALL costs covered) focused on leadership and intercultural skills in London, England.
  • Eligibility Requirements: 1st or 2nd-year student at an MSI (CSULB is an MSI)
  • Evidence of financial need
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Deadline: October 15 for upcoming Winter/Spring; April 1 for upcoming Summer or Fall
  • Apply for the Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship.

Freeman-Asia Scholarships

  • Provides undergraduate-level scholarships ($5,000), sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.
  • Available for students studying in the following countries: Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. 2.8 GPA minimum. Must show the verifiable need for financial assistance. Permanent Residents are eligible.
  • National Deadline: March 2025
  • Opens: March 2025
  • Apply for the Freeman-Asia Scholarship. 

Fulbright Scholarships

Gates Cambridge Scholarships

  • Graduate students: Fully-funded post-graduate study at Cambridge University, UK. Applicants should have outstanding intellectual ability, leadership potential, and a commitment to improving the lives of others.
  • Apply for the Gates Cambridge Scholarship.

Gilman International Scholarships

  • Undergraduate Study (up to $5,000). Must be a Pell Grant recipient. Semester, academic year, and summer (3-week minimum). Funding for internships is also available. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.
  • Apply for the Gilman International Scholarship. 

HACU IES Scholarship

  • Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
  • Apply to/be accepted to and enroll in a summer, semester or academic year IES Abroad program (J-Term programs are NOT eligible).
  • Demonstrate financial need.
  • Priority is given to first-generation college students and/or Federal Pell Grant recipients.
  • Award Amount:
    • Summer: Up to $2,500
    • Semester: Up to $5,000
  • Deadline:
    • Fall/Academic Year: May 1
    • Spring/Calendar Year: November 1

Marshall Scholarships

  • (graduate students--UK). Graduate students: fully funded must hold a bachelor’s degree by October. Must have a GPA of not less than 3.7 at the time of application. Applicants should have outstanding intellectual ability, leadership potential, and knowledge of U.S./UK relations.  
  • Apply for the Marshall Scholarship.

Mitchell Scholarships

  • (graduate students—11 universities in Ireland). Must have a bachelor’s degree before beginning study.  Must be under 30 years of age. Academic excellence, leadership, and commitment to community and public service.
  • Apply for the Mitchell Scholarship.

Fund for Education Abroad

  • Eligibility: LGBTQI+ students, U.S. citizens, permanent residents. 
  • Preference for first-generation students and minority students.
  • Minimum: 4 weeks of study Spring, Summer or Fall terms
  • Awards up to $10,000.
  • Apply for the Fund for Education Abroad Scholarship. 

Rhodes Scholarships

  • Graduate students--Oxford University, UK. Must be a lawful permanent resident of the United States prior to and including at least 5 years of the application deadline. Must still be 23 on October 1 in the year of application. Must have literary and scholastic attainments; character and leadership qualities.
  • Apply for the Rhodes Scholarship.

Schwarzman Scholarships

  • Graduate Study at Schwarzman College at Tsinghua University in China. Classes in one of three disciplines: Public Policy, Economics and Business, or International Studies will be taught in English. Students will spend a year immersed in an international community of thinkers, innovators, and senior leaders in business, politics, and society. Applicants must have academic excellence and leadership potential within their field. Must not yet be 29 years of age.
  • Apply for the Schwarzman Scholarship.

Whitaker Engineering Fellows & Scholarships

  • Graduate Students Fellows go abroad (not Canada) for one academic year (9-12 months) to conduct academic or scientific research in a university or laboratory or coursework at a university or intern at a policy institute. Must have a bachelor’s degree by the beginning of the grant, or have recently completed a master’s program in the field of biomedical engineering/bioengineering or a closely-related field (Chemical, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering with substantive interest and background in Biomedicine).
  • Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. 
  • Apply for the Whitaker Engineering Fellows Scholarship.

Campus Scholarship Resources- General

Campus Scholarship Resources - Departmental

Other Resources - General

China:

France:

  • Teaching Assistant Program in France (TAPIF). Teach English to French students at elementary or secondary schools. Must be American or Permanent Resident. Must be between 20 and 35 years old by October 1. Must have completed at least 3 years of higher education by October 1. Must be proficient in French. 780 Euros net per month. 

Germany:

Italy:

Scotland:

  • Universities in Scotland
  • $15,000 scholarship
  • Apply directly to one of 13 Scotland universities. Eligibility requirements and deadlines vary

Taiwan:

United Kingdom:

Financial Aid Frequently Asked Questions

  • Federal Aid 
    • Grants: Pell, SEOG
    • Loans: Stafford, PLUS
  • State Grants
    • CalGrant A
    • CalGrant B
    • Middle Class Scholarship
    • Chafee Grant
    • State University Grant (SUG)
  • Scholarships
    • ASI-CSULB Study Abroad
    • Career Development Center
    • Departmental
    • Boren
    • Gilman
    • Fulbright
  • Private Loans: Lenders are researched and selected by students

  • Submit your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application
  • Federal Aid and State Aid
    • Be enrolled in an eligible program and pursuing a degree objective from CSULB
    • Maintain satisfactory academic progress
    • Adhere to all study abroad and financial aid documentation requests and deadlines
    • Submit your GPA verification form to the California Student Aid Commission
  • Scholarships
  • Private Loans
    • Research, select, and contact lender regarding borrowing an academic loan
    • Follow up with lender to confirm they have submitted certification to CSULB Office of Financial Aid

  • Direct Exchange Programs/Faculty-Led Semester Programs (but not faculty-led summer and winter programs)
    • All federal and majority of private financial aid awards including grants, scholarships, and loans that you receive for the normal semester/school year are applicable towards study abroad. Students are encouraged to apply for outside study abroad scholarships as well.
  • Independent Programs
    • Most federal and private aid are available, though not everything applies in this situation (i.e., CalGrant A, SUG). You will need to check with the Education Abroad Office for more information.

Aside from the recommended FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, students will need to submit a completed "Study Abroad Financial Aid Form" to the Financial Aid Office. Be aware that this form must be signed by a study abroad advisor. 

Aside from the recommended FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, students will need to submit a completed "Study Abroad Financial Aid Form" to the Financial Aid Office. Be aware that this form must be signed by a study abroad advisor. 

In order to have your financial aid released (or disbursed for payment of university-related charges), there are a few steps you need to take:

  1. Accept your aid.
  2. Complete your To Do List on MyCSULB (if you have one).
  3. Direct Loan borrowers – complete the required loan steps.
  4. Enroll in classes.

All funds are released to Student Financial Services – and applied toward any outstanding university-related charges (including any installment plans). The primary (or first) possible date funds can be released (grants, loans, and CSULB scholarship aid) is 10 days prior to the first day of classes at the foreign institution – each semester.

For Study Abroad programs with a start date later than the date when CSULB financial aid is disbursed, aid will be disbursed on your program start date.

Further information regarding the release of funds can be found on the CSULB Financial Aid webpage.

More Resources

  • Calculate all of your current costs, which may include rent or dormitory costs, travel, entertainment, books, and/or other supplies. Determine your annual budget, and use that as a baseline to begin comparing with costs abroad.
  • Consider whether or not you may be able to work while abroad.
  • Compare the factors that influence study abroad costs: the country, length of stay, local cost of living, areas of study, and other program features.
    • Use this Cost of Living Comparison to project any differences in everyday costs such as groceries, transportation, and rent.
  • Find the best match for your own needs, interests, and long-term goals.
  • Apply in advance for financial aid so you can factor it into your budget accordingly.
  • If necessary, consider working extra hours or getting a part-time job before studying abroad, in order to save up for your program.

Fundraising will help to make your overseas experience more affordable and serves as a way to educate the public. If you select a program that helps to achieve your long-term goals, it will be easier to solicit funds from external sources.

  • Keep in mind that local, regional, and national groups, as well as individuals, are all possible contributors. They include: heritage groups that have interest in specific countries (e.g., Japan America Society), civic groups (Rotary, Kiwanis, and Lions Clubs), foundations, travel agents, high school alumni associations, professional and business clubs, media (newspapers, radio, and TV stations), sororities and fraternities (local and national chapters), and charitable, ethnic, religious, and campus organizations.
  • Direct, informal appeals often work. Be specific as to how you intend to spend the funds (airfare, program fee, tuition, personal travel, special projects, etc.) Include a photo of yourself with your requests so that the recipient will establish a personal connection with you. Enthusiasm, creativity, and perseverance on your part, and not fearing rejection in some instances, will likely take you a long way.

In exchange for financial support, you should pledge to 'give something back, such as regular updates while you are abroad, or upon your return, write an article; show a video or slides of your experience; lead a discussion or seminar; organize a topical campus or community forum; promote educational and business exchanges; participate in radio and televised interviews and broadcasts; contribute community service and outreach; or help others to have a similar international experience.

Ideas That Have Worked!

  • Waive holiday and birthday gifts and request financial gifts or loans instead.
  • Subscribe to a fund-raising website like: GoFundMe.com
  • 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.).
  • Collect used books, CDs, computer software, etc., and have a sale.
  • Ask your church, synagogue, mosque, 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.
  • Ask your employer to make a cash advance to be paid back through payroll deduction. (No harm in asking!)
  • 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.
  • Organize a can/bottle drive in the residence halls.
  • 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!

Keep a careful record of who supported you and the amount. Be sure to express your appreciation for their support. Your energy and enthusiasm for an international experience will be contagious! Good luck.