Study Abroad
Scholarships and Finances
Our office does not want cost to prevent you from studying abroad. Check out the Financial Aid and Scholarship page below and talk to your Study Abroad Advisor to learn how you can finance your study abroad experience.
Review and Apply for Grants, Scholarships & Aid
Studying abroad can be as affordable as attending Fresno State, and students may be eligible to use financial aid to help cover the cost! You must be formally accepted into a study abroad program before aid eligibility can be determined, and the Study Abroad Office will notify Financial Aid of your study abroad participation. For more information, visit the Financial Aid website.
How it works
The program type and length of the program are considered when evaluating financial aid for study abroad. In most cases, students do not have a problem using their financial award for semester or year-long programs. Generally, Federal Financial Aid (Pell Grant, loans) can be applied to semester-based programs, state aid (university or Cal grant) can be applied to programs to resident credit-based programs. Federal work-study cannot be applied to study abroad programs. Summer is also considered a special circumstance with limited financial aid. After all documents are submitted, the Study Abroad Office will notify the financial aid office of all students going abroad.
The Financial Aid Office will then evaluate the students' study abroad program and determine financial aid eligibility and apply a budget adjustment if necessary.
Before going abroad
- Make sure you have a current Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file.
- Make sure you are in good standing with the Fresno State Financial Aid Office.
- Sign up for direct deposit of financial aid.
- Work with the Study Abroad Office to ensure all required paperwork is completed by the stated deadline.
Check out some of the study abroad scholarships available here. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of scholarships.
Study Abroad is affordable!
The most prevalent myth about study abroad is that it's expensive, but that doesn't have to be the case. Selecting a program that meets your budget goals is key to making it a reality for you. Costs vary, so it's best to set goals and know what you want and are willing to sacrifice when choosing a program. Explore your options keep in mind, you do not pay Fresno State tuition on an affiliate program.Things to consider include location, terms and type of program is important.
Start Early to create your Study Abroad Budget
- Plan your study abroad trip at least a year in advance
- Develop a budget plan based on your your resources and research scholarships (link scholarship page)
- Compare the cost living and tuition based on different countries, cities and programs
- You will find a budget sheet that includes tuition/fees, room & board, transportation, personal expenses, and more on the program website for the full cost breakdown
Veterans Services Program for Studying Abroad
Student veterans can often apply VA Benefits to funding for education abroad experiences. There are some limitations to what VA education benefits will cover when it comes to study abroad expenses, so student veterans should start planning as early as possible for education abroad and work closely with the Study Abroad Office as well as the Veterans Resource Center at 559.278.6036 or email us at: fsveterans@mail.fresnostate.edu.
The three basic rules (as stipulated by the Department of Veterans Affairs) for applying for VA education benefits to study abroad are:
- Students must be enrolled in courses that are required for their degree program.
- The programs at the “host” institution in the foreign country must be approved.
- VA cannot pay any fees specific to studying abroad unless the student is required to study abroad as part of their degree program.
Even though there is a restriction on paying “study abroad “fees,” the VA defines ways to reimburse study abroad tuition costs, particularly when you are paying tuition to your home school.