Financial Aid, Scholarships and Grants

Financial Aid | Scholarships | Payment Types by Programs

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Rights (FERPA) is a law that protects the confidentiality of student records in an academic environment. If you require financial assistance during your semester abroad you will need to take the initiative and maintain communication with the financial office. The Study Abroad Office does not have access to financially sensitive information. This includes requesting advances, applications, scholarships and grants etc.

It is your responsibility to meet with Amee Meade-Wilmes (ameade@nwmissouri.edu) in the Financial Aid by calling 660.562.1988 or 660.562.1363 and to follow up to accept loans, request advances, etc.

All students require a Study Abroad budget prior to meeting with the Financial Aid Office. A financial aid consult is a requirement and part of the application process.

Financial Aid

If the student is eligible for financial aid during his/her semester program or faculty led program, the Study Abroad Office will issue a budget of total costs for the entire program; the budget will be catered to meet the student's individual requirements. It will comprise of several items including transportation and airfare to traveling expenses and meals.

This budget will be submitted to the Financial Aid office to calculate the amount of aid available for the student. The student may or may not get financial aid that covers the budget suggested by the Study Abroad Office. This depends on calculations and eligibility of the student and the family income as reported to the IRS and though FAFSA.

Steps to consider when applying for financial aid for a Study Abroad Program:

Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and find out your financial dependency status
Eligibility for federal funds is based on academic year (fall/spring) and funds are calculated based on family/student tax information. Federal aid for summer programs and loans vary by grade level (freshmen, sophomore etc).
After meeting with financial aid and IF you find out that you do not qualify for federal loans or scholarships ask the Financial Aid office about Private loans or alternative loans. These loans are may be harder to approve and may also require a parental/co-signer signature.
Many Northwest grants and scholarships that you have been receiving in the past, and that you might be eligible in the future might count towards your Study Abroad experience. However, there are various institutional scholarships provided by Northwest with different restrictions, so it is important to talk to the Financial Aid office about your options.
To be eligible for institutional scholarships you must be enrolled in 12 credits for a semester program and also 12 credits for summer programs (keep in mind that 6 credits in the summer is only viewed as being half time).
If you do not require Financial Assistance and you have grants and scholarships that you would like to use for your study abroad program, you are still required to meet with the Financial Aid Office -- remember scholarships are considered Financial Aid!
Note: Athletes -- you may have scholarships that apply towards your academics and sometimes your coach may help you fund your academic study abroad, however, you must meet with Amee Meade-Wilmes in the Financial Aid Office in order to secure funding.

Scholarships

Here are some links to help you in a quest for scholarships.

Northwest - College of Arts and Sciences: Study Abroad Scholarship

The College of Arts and Sciences Study Abroad Scholarship supports Arts and Sciences majors studying abroad for a full semester. To apply, please download the application.

Northwest - College of Education and Human Services: The Martha Faye Woollums Scholarship for International Immersion

The Martha Faye (Fouts) Woollums Scholarship has been established to support a Northwest Teacher Education student's international travel and study abroad in the field of education. For more information, contact the College of Education at 660.562.1778.

IIE Passport Study Abroad Funding

This valuable funding resource allows you to search by country or subject to find the study abroad funding information that you need. Our comprehensive database of study abroad scholarships, fellowships, and grants can help make your dream of studying abroad a financial possibility and a profound reality.

ISEP Scholarships

Annette Kade Scholarships for Study in France and Germany
These scholarships are for students wishing to pursue study at one of the German or French ISEP member institutions. Grants will be awarded to U.S. ISEP academic year and semester participants in order to encourage students with a genuine interest in study abroad, who do not have sufficient financial resources, to apply for a placement in France or Germany. The award criteria for the scholarships include academic background, desire to improve language ability, and genuine financial need.
- Requirements: Must be a U.S. ISEP nominee for France or Germany and be able to demonstrate financial need.
- Deadline: November 1, 2009.
STA Travel Scholarships
Two $500 scholarships from STA Travel for roundtrip travel from the United States to your program destination are available each academic year to ISEP students whose home university is located in the USA.
- Requirements: Contact STA Travel to purchase your ticket using one of the following methods: 1.866.557.8529 or isep@statravel.com. Identify yourself as an ISEP student. Your name will automatically be entered into the drawing for the Travel Scholarship.
- Deadlines: August 1 and December 15

For Australia and New Zealand Universities

Australean Scholarships
AustraLearn provides numerous scholarships to students applying for a semester or year abroad through the AustraLearn program. Students will be required to fill out a full scholarship application for all AustraLearn specific scholarships by the required deadline to be eligible for consideration of an award.

General Scholarships

U.S. Department of Education
This website shows you how to receive financial aid by filling out the FAFSA and by applying for federal grants.
FastWeb
FastWeb has exclusive tools for students to search for college scholarships by their interests. Our unique matching feature lets students search for college scholarships that match their educational goals and activities after they fill out a personal profile. Our easy-to-follow form asks for their educational background, school activities, and what they plan on studying in college. Students have the power to search, find, and apply for college scholarships all on one website!
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
The Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF) is the nation's leading Hispanic scholarship organization, providing the Hispanic community more college scholarships and educational outreach support than any other organization in the country. In 34 years, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund has awarded over 90,000 scholarships to students in need worth over $250M. Two-thirds of these students were the first in their families to go to college.

Scholarships Aimed For Study Abroad

Gilman Scholarships
This scholarship provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study abroad programs worldwide. Must be studying abroad in the fall, spring, or academic year. Not available for summer only programs.
National Security Education Program
Boren Scholarships and Fellowships provide financial aid to U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin American, and the Middle East. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded
Rotary Foundation
The purpose of the Ambassadorial Scholarships program is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries and geographical areas. The program sponsors several types of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students as well as for qualified professionals pursuing vocational studies. While abroad, scholars serve as goodwill ambassadors to the host country and give presentations about their homelands to Rotary clubs and other groups. Upon returning home, scholars share with Rotarians and others the experiences that led to a greater understanding of their host country.
Bridging Scholarships
The Association of Teachers of Japanese Bridging Project offers scholarships to American undergraduate students participating in study abroad programs in Japan. Funding from private foundations and major U.S. corporations has made it possible for ATJ to award 100 scholarships annually to assist students with the travel and living expenses they will incur while studying abroad in Japan for a semester or an academic year. Undergraduate students majoring in any field of study are eligible to apply for these scholarships. Japanese language study is not a prerequisite. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and must be enrolled as undergraduates in a college or university in the United States before and during the time they are studying abroad.
Morgan Stanley Japan Scholarships
The Morgan Stanley Scholarship is associated with the US-Japan Bridging project for Study Abroad in Japan.
Itoh Scholarship Foundation
Information in Japanese only.
Blakemore Freeman Fellowships for Advanced Asian Language Study
Blakemore Freeman Fellowships fund a year of advanced language study abroad for college graduates using an East or Southeast Asian language in their careers.
International Scholarship Opportunities
The International Scholarship Search is the premier financial aid, college scholarship and international scholarship resource for students wishing to study abroad. At this site, you will find the most comprehensive listing of grants, scholarships, loan programs, and other information to assist college and university students in their pursuit to study abroad.

Payment Types by Program

Reciprocal-Even Exchange

Magellan	Tuition to Northwest, off-campus housing paid abroad
Mexico - ITESM, UDEM, UR, ITESO	Tuition to Northwest, housing paid abroad (on-campus, off-campus, and host family available)
*ISEP Exchange (E)**	Tuition and room/board paid to Northwest
Ulsan University, S. Korea	Tuition to Northest, free housing; You will receive approximadetly $270 monthly stipend from Ulsan for meals
Kyung Hee University; S. Korea	Tuition to Northwest, housing paid abroad
Yonsei University; S. Korea	Tuition to Northwest, housing paid abroad
Taiwan	Tuition to Northwest, housing paid abroad
Japan	Tuition to Northwest, housing paid abroad

Direct - Fee Set by University Abroad

ISEP Direct	ISEP-direct fee includes tuition and room/board
Australearn	Australearn Fees include tuition and room/board
Missouri-London	Fee includes housing, field trips Summer = NW tuition + housing expenses (TBA) Fall/Spring = $6,795 (tuition is included in this fee)
MCTS -	Fee, which includes room, computers, internet, resident permit fees, orientation and Roosevelt Academy Student Association (RASA) fees, required field trips, transcripts, and on-site support. Students are responsible for their own travel, food, and book expenses. Summer fee = 1,400 Euro Fall/Spring fee = 4,600 Euro

Northwest Missouri State University