Study Abroad

STEP 1

Contact Office of International Education to learn more about studying abroad with WCCCSA, as well as OC faculty-led study abroad and 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 (see your WCCCSA Campus Coordinator if you are younger; you may still be able to participate in certain programs)

STEP 2

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

Application Packet

• WCCCSA Preliminary Application (PDF Document)
• 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: U.S. citizens or permanent resident of the U.S. (as of May 2015, we welcome applications from DACA students); Currently enrolled as an undergraduate at a college or university in the U.S. (graduate students are not eligible); Study abroad program must be eligible for credit at the student’s educational institution; Study abroad program must include at least 4 weeks (30 days) in country/countries.
• Deadline: Application normally open in November for the next academic year ( For instance November 2020 for academic year 2020-2021).
• More information: Visit the FEA website.

Omio Scholarship

• Who can apply: There are 10 individual €2000 scholarships for students planning to study abroad in Europe. Students also have the opportunity to enter the Instagram competition by posting a video/image which represents the European country they’re hoping to study in. There are two €500 Instagram prizes available.
• Deadline: January 
• More information: Visit the Omio website.

IIE Generation Study Abroad Travel Grants

• Who can apply: IIE Generation Study Abroad Travel Grants offers $2000 to OC students who are studying abroad for academic purposes. This grant will apply to all current OC and WCCCSA programs.
• Deadline: October for Winter and Spring  programs. March for Summer and Fall  programs (application opens in January).
• 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 and often.

WCCCSA Funding

Thanks to the Olympic College Foundation there are several scholarships available to help fund this study abroad opportunity! Scholarship applications are due at the time of application. Please contact Office of International Education.

International Education