Financial Planning & Scholarships
There are many ways to reduce the cost of study abroad. One key area is to plan ahead and select a program that makes the best use of credits towards graduation requirements. Smeal International Program Coordinators are available to meet with students to help them select the best program to meet their academic goals. We are also able to help you consider the comparable costs of whether to study abroad for a summer or a semester.
Out-of-State students please note: Summer study abroad programs charge in-state tuition for all students. Exchange programs are a lower cost alternative for Pennsylvania residents. Penn State charges lower in-state tuition for fall and spring third-party programs like IES, Arcadia and CIEE to out-of-state students. Scholarships are available for many programs. See the links listed below. Students may schedule an appointment time online to talk about their unique concerns..
Scholarships
Most PSU scholarship awards are made after the program application is due but before the deadline to commit to the program.
Smeal College of Business
***Scholarships are need-based and require that a FAFSA has been filed to be considered. Students must be enrolled in the Smeal College of Business.***
This is a separate application from PSU study abroad application.
- Smeal SPRING 2025 Semester Study Abroad Scholarships
Contact Ellie Labrin (elf103@psu.edu) for limited application extension details.
- Smeal SUMMER 2025 Study Abroad and International Internship Scholarships
APPLY NOW! Scholarship Application Deadline: February 6, 2025
- Smeal FALL 2025 Semester Study Abroad Scholarships
APPLY NOW! Scholarship Application Deadline: March 12, 2025
- Smeal SPRING 2026 Semester Study Abroad Scholarships
Check back! Applications will open in February 2025.
Contact Ellie Labrin (elf103@psu.edu) with questions about scholarship application, eligibility, or deadlines.
Other Penn State University Study Abroad Scholarships
- Penn State Education Abroad Scholarships - The following scholarships are offered through the Education Abroad Office for students studying on approved Penn State programs.
- PSU Student Engagement Network Grant
- Perreault Fellows Program: International Internship and Global Leadership Fellowship - This is a 2-year global leadership and internship program with co-curricular programming at Penn State and summer international internship focused on health and the betterment of the human condition. Students from multiple disciplines, including business, are encouraged to apply.
- College of the Liberal Arts Enrichment Funding - Students with a concurrent major from the College of the Liberal Arts are eligible to apply for Enrichment Funding for their study abroad experience.
- Schreyer Honors College Travel Grant - All Schreyer Scholars may apply for a travel grant to help fund their international experiences.
PSU Global Cost and Funding Resources
- The Easy Guide to Study Abroad Scholarships
- On-Campus Cost Comparable Education Abroad Programs - This list highlights semester-long (fall or spring) education abroad programs that are approximately the same cost as (or less than) attending University Park for in-state students.
- Determine Your Education Abroad Budget
- Costs and Funding
Penn State Office of Student Aid
Penn State students studying through the Penn State Education Abroad Office can use most components of their existing financial aid packages toward the cost of studying abroad. Review information from Penn State Office of Student Aid regarding study abroad and meet with them to discuss any questions regarding your financial aid package and how it might be impacted by Education Abroad.
Fellowships
Visit the Undergraduate Research & Fellowships Mentoring Office website or in 321 Boucke Building for more information about the following funding opportunities. You will also find many more scholarship and grants available for graduate studies abroad.
- Boren Scholarships for Undergraduate Students
- Critical Language Scholarship Program
- Foreign Language & Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship
- Freeman-ASIA Award
- Gilman International (Benjamin A.) Scholarship
More Scholarship Resources
- Arcadia Scholarships and data base of additional scholarships
- CIEE Scholarships
- IES Scholarships
- IES Abroad - Outside Funding Options
- IES Abroad Career Benefits of Study Abroad - study abroad is an investment in your future career
- Fund for Education Abroad
- 100K Strong in the Americas
Contact Ellie Labrin (elf103@psu.edu)