Funding Your Study Abroad Experience
Education Abroad encourages students to look at all of their options to cover the costs of studying abroad: financial aid, scholarships, savings, and creative funding sources. Advisors work closely with students to help with this process, and are especially knowledgeable about competitive study abroad scholarships. For assistance with this process, give the Education Abroad Office a call at ext. 7117 or write us an email at studyabroad@pcc.edu.
In addition to reading the below information, we also encourage you to watch the funding videos that feature tips and resources from Financial Aid, Student Accounts, and Education Abroad.
1. Financial Aid
Federal and state financial aid can be applied towards any PCC Education Abroad program, and any program through the co-enrollment agreement with PSU. Because each student’s financial aid situation is unique, we recommend that you contact the Financial Aid Office as your first step, to find out what is available. Make sure your file for your FAFSA in October.
Please complete the Study Abroad and Financial Aid Form to connect with Melinda Leiva or Matt Sagayaga. Once you complete this form, you should receive a response from Financial Aid within one week. It is great to do this step as early as possible!
2. Apply for Scholarships
There are numerous scholarship and aid opportunities specifically designed to help you fund your education abroad experience. Scholarships available for PCC study abroad programs include:
Name of Scholarship | Description | Dates and Due Dates | Award Amount |
---|---|---|---|
PCC Foundation | The PCC Foundation awards hundreds of scholarships every year to students to make education more affordable. |
Opens November 1, 2022, due February 1, 2023 |
Varies |
PCC Education Abroad Scholarship | The Education Abroad office has its own PCC Foundation Scholarship for students applying for PCC faculty-led programs. The application is found within the PCC Foundation Scholarship application, so make sure you check the box for the PCC Education Abroad Scholarship as you apply. Additional questions are detailed below. | Opens in November 1 2022, due February 1, 2023 | Varies |
Gilman Scholarship – October Deadline | For Pell Eligible students participating in a study abroad program of any length. Detailed application instructions can be found here: Gilman Scholarship Application Instructions. | opens in August 2022 Due October 4, 2022 | $1,000-$5,000 |
Gilman Scholarship – March Deadline | For Pell Eligible students participating in a study abroad program of any length. Detailed application instructions can be found here: Gilman Scholarship Application Instructions. |
Opens in Jan- due March 7, 2023 |
$1,000-$5,000 |
Gilman-McCain Scholarship | For dependent child of an active duty military member(s) during the time of application in one of the following branches: Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard, and a recipient of any type of Title IV federal financial aid. | Rolling | $5,000 |
Fund for Education Abroad | Specific for students participating on a study abroad program. While there is a general summer category FEA also Includes additional dedicated scholarships, such as the Rainbow Scholarship. | January 18, 2023 | Varies |
Diversity Network | For economically disadvantaged students, African-American/Black, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, multiracial/ethnic or Indigenous/Native-American, students with disabilities and first generation college undergraduate students attending a 4-week summer education abroad program. | TBD | $1,000 |
Pride Foundation | Pride Foundation provides essential financial resources and community support to LGBTQ and allied student leaders in the Northwest—particularly those who face barriers due to race, economic circumstances, identity, ability, location, or lack of family support. | Opens in October 11 2022, due in January, 2023 | Varies |
Explore the World | Open to residents of Clackamas, Multnomah, and Washington Counties, ages 18-30, who lack the financial resources to go abroad. Award is to be used for an overseas trip and must involve an educational or service learning component. | TBD | $2,000 |
Go Overseas | For any student participating in study a study abroad program. The scholarship is awarded based on the creativity and analytical thinking displayed through writing samples and/or video submissions. | TBD | $500 |
The Guide to Online Schools | For students enrolled at a public community college, junior college, technical college, or city college, and working towards a certificate, diploma or degree. | TBD | $2,500 |
LewerMark Make your Mark Scholarship | For students enrolled in summer or fall study abroad programs. Must include an advisor recommendation letter. | TBD | $750 |
OSAC Scholarships | For Oregon college students. Students may select up to 40 different eligible scholarships in one application. | TBD | varies |
Many PCC students are awarded multiple scholarships for education abroad!
Helpful Scholarship Resources
- Writing a Winning Scholarship Essay – Tips
- Information on Requesting Letters of Recommendation
- Request for a Letter of Recommendation – Template
- STEPS to APPLY FOR A GILMAN SCHOLARSHIP
3. Fundraising
We encourage you to think outside of the box to creatively fund your study abroad experience! Talk to the study abroad office about fundraising ideas including GoFundMe and other funding opportunities. We are happy to display a GoFundMe Site on our website to help advertise your fundraising event plan. Check out the GoFundMe Pages for students from our recent summer cohort!
*Note: GoFundMe Pages are not recommended for F-1 international students due to visa status regulations. Talk to OISS for more information.
4. Make an appointment with Education Abroad to learn more about all of these options!
In addition to helping you identify scholarships for study abroad, we are happy to provide scholarship essay guidance and revisions. Stay tuned for upcoming scholarship meetings in the Fall. You are also welcome to use our computer to apply for scholarships.