Masses of students flock to European universities every year in the exodus that is study abroad semester. If you’re like me, you’ve been dreaming about this three month opportunity to galavant around Europe with little care in the world (besides for your classes, of course) since you were young. This childhood fantasy tends to become just that, a fantasy, as junior year approaches and we are faced with the hefty price tags attached to these experiences. Although the average program through UCEAP costs around the same as a normal quarter here, flights, accommodations, travel expenses, passport renewals, and just enjoying a European lifestyle can add a significant amount that makes studying abroad a challenge for many.
Luckily for us, UCLA seems to want to reduce the amount of students on campus enough to help fund your worldly travels. The International Education Office highlights over 10 campus specific scholarships on their website, ranging in amount, program focus, and requirements. On top of financial aid, these opportunities can make this experience possible for students who are faced with financial challenges or who may not think they qualify for aid. As impactful as these scholarships are, finding the one thats right for you can be a daunting task. So if after spending hours deciding on a program, you don’t have the time to browse through all of the scholarships available, here is a short list of the five that I believe are worth the time it takes to read this article:
1. European Undergraduate Study Abroad Scholarship
This fund provides two annual scholarships worth $2,500 to students who are studying abroad through a UCEAP program in a city outside of the UK. For reference, this amount could pay for your round trip tickets to Europe… twice. In visiting the application site, I was thrilled to see that the only supplements you need to provide are two 300 word essays, which by now we should all be able to do in our sleep. If you meet this criteria, this need-based scholarship could be right for you.
2. Richard and Gerrie Leeds Study Abroad Scholarship
Richard and Gerrie Leeds must have really loved their study abroad experience, and thanks to them, so will a lot more students. With three humanities specific and need-based grants being awarded for this upcoming fall, this $2,500 scholarship is both more specific and more available, making it a great option for students looking to increase their chances.
3. Kimura Airfare Scholarship
This scholarship is allotted specifically for first generation college students and grants $900 dollars towards students’ airfare expenses when studying in a university abroad. The average flight to Europe right now is around $700 dollars, so unless you’re a master at using Kayak to find your cheap flights, this scholarship could have a huge impact on overall budget and expenses for a quarter in a different country.
4. Shirley and Walter Wang Study Abroad Scholarship
This scholarship is unique in that it is reserved specifically for middle-income students, which makes it perfect for those who find that financial aid may not be enough to cover the increased expenses that come with studying abroad. Students who answer two prompts that share how their open-mindedness and adaptability will help them succeed in their experience abroad have a shot at 3 available awards granted in the fall. For me, the $2,000 this award grants is worth the hour it would take for me to write these two 300 word essays.
5. UCEAP Scholarships
These scholarships are worth exploring if you meet any of the following criteria:
The UCEAP program is dedicated to making this experience possible for students of all backgrounds, all majors, and all levels of need. The extensive list of available scholarships, ranging from 500 to 8,000 dollars, definitely highlights the value that UCLA places on these programs as part of a student’s educational journey.
Applications are open now, and even if you are not studying abroad through UCEAP, there are hundreds of national and international scholarships available to you. I strongly encourage anyone who has counted themselves out of this irreplaceable experience to explore these opportunities and the others listed on the International Education Office’s website.
Let UCLA pay you this year. Apply by March 1st.