Study Abroad

STEP 1

Contact Office of International Education & Study Abroad to learn more about studying abroad with WCCCSA and to check that you meet the eligibility requirements.

Eligibility Requirements

• GPA of 2.5 or higher
• Completed at least 12 college credits at your home institution
  • Have a valid passport to travel outside of the U.S.
    • Students should be 18 years or older.

STEP 2

Complete all application materials and submit to Office of International Education & Study Abroad.

Application Packet

• WCCCSA Preliminary Application 
  • One-page personal essay describing the reasons why you want to study abroad, what you hope to accomplish on your journey, and how you hope to incorporate this experience into your future academic or career plans
    • Two letters of recommendation; one must be from a faculty member
      • Current unofficial transcripts

STEP 3

If your WCCCSA application is approved by your institution, your WCCCSA Campus Coordinator will give you specific instructions for completing your next steps.

This will include completing the program provider’s application and any other required forms or information they may need (such as housing forms or medical forms) and registering for classes through your home institution. Please remember that every program is different and the application materials for each program may also be different. Always check with your study abroad coordinator.

STEP 4

Complete the program provider’s application and any other required forms (this may vary from program to program) and pay your non-refundable deposit by the deadline.

STEP 5

Work with your WCCCSA Campus Coordinator to register for your classes at your home campus.

STEP 6

Pay your program fees by the payment deadline.

STEP 7

Get ready to go! Make your travel arrangements and attend the Pre-Departure Orientation!

Most students leverage grants, scholarships, and student loans to pay for their study abroad programs. 

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

• Who can apply: U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university.
• Deadline: Spring Programs: First Tuesday of October; Summer and Fall Programs: First Tuesday of March.
• More information: Visit the Gilman Scholarship Program website.

Boren Awards

• Who can apply: Any U.S. citizen enrolled as an undergraduate in an accredited U.S. institution may apply. Boren Scholars must complete their programs before graduation.
• More information: There is limitation to program locations. For a list of locations, please visit the Boren Awards website.

Critical Language Scholarship

• Who can apply: The Critical Language Scholarship Program seeks participants from a variety of fields, backgrounds, and career paths, with the goal of building a cadre of Americans who speak critical languages at high levels in government, business, arts and culture, science and engineering, health and medicine, education, research, and other fields. The CLS Program is a nationally competed award open to all eligible U.S. undergraduate and graduate students in every field.
• Deadline: Mid-November for the next year.
• More information: Visit the CLS website.

Freeman-Asia

• Who can apply: Freeman-ASIA accepts applications from U.S. citizens or permanent residents studying at the undergraduate level at a two-year or four-year college or university who demonstrate financial need to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia.
• Deadline: Summer applications will open in mid-January, with a late February/early March deadline. The fall and academic year application generally opens in mid-February, with an early April deadline.
• More information: See the Freeman-Asia website.

Fund for Education Abroad

• Who can apply: 
  • Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or DACA recipient
  • Be enrolled as an undergraduate at a U.S. institution of higher education at the time of application (graduate students are not eligible)
  • Receive credit at your home institution for the program or experience abroad
  • Have demonstrated financial need
• Deadline: Application normally open in November for the next academic year and closes in early February. (For instance November 2024 for academic year 2025-2026).
• More information: Visit the FEA website.

IIE Study Abroad Scholarship

• Who can apply: Eligibility varies by programs.
• Deadline: Deadline varies by programs.
• More information: Visit the IIE website.

Mobility International Disability Scholarship Search

• Who can apply: MIUSA (Mobility International USA) has a listing of dozens of funding opportunities for study abroad students with a disability of any kind.
• More information: Visit the MIUSA website.

Please look at specific programs and destinations for travel dates for WCCCSA sponsored Study Abroad opportunities.

WCCCSA Programs

It all depends.

Total costs for WCCCSA sponsored experiences (everything included) could run between $8,000-$18,000 depending on your cost of living, and additional expenses that vary from person to person. It isn’t uncommon to have a majority of that cost to be covered by scholarships and financial aid! Apply early.

WCCCSA Funding