Financial & Scholarship Information

Financial Aid

Students must file a FAFSA to be eligible for federal financial aid and scholarships. Aid typically applies to fall and spring semesters. Aid for summer or winter programs may vary based on individual eligibility. If you have questions about your financial aid, your Education Abroad Advisor can direct you to the appropriate contacts in the Office of Financial Aid.

It is important to plan ahead, and understand your current (on-campus) expenses: 

• Tuition, housing, meals, parking, gas, bills, going out, shopping, etc.
• Current financial aid and scholarships
• Compare program costs with your on-campus costs

Grants and scholarships awarded by your department or college may also be used to pay for study abroad programs. Contact the department awarding the scholarship for information. For outside scholarships, visit our Scholarship page.

Strategies for studying abroad on a budget

• Go off the beaten path- Choose a program in a lower-cost country (Peru, Thailand, Estonia) or a smaller city (Pau not Paris, Cologne not Berlin, Nagoya not Tokyo)
• Choose a semester- Semester programs can be more cost-effective than short-term programs. The per week cost is often lower, and your original college budget may not have included summer or winter study.
• Be flexible- Plan and research to find the program that meets your financial and academic needs.

Education Abroad Scholarships

Explore a wide range of scholarships from UofL departments, federal programs, and external organizations. Scholarships vary in amount and can be based on financial need, merit, location and length of your program. Apply for as many as you are eligible for but remember to also have a financial plan that does not depend on receiving specific scholarships.