Click for the previous article, ‘So, you want to study abroad. Now what? | Part 2‘.

Here’s the part that no one can sugarcoat: studying abroad costs money!

That was the biggest mental hurdle I had to clear before I was open to exploring my options. But it becomes easier to overcome the sooner you decide to make your action plan.

Student loans, Pell Grants, scholarships, and work income can all support your aspirations. Once I locked in, money started to come from both expected and unexpected places, making my trip that much more affordable.

One of the most substantial sources of funding for me was the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. You’re potentially eligible for the scholarship if you’re an undergraduate student, receive Pell Grant funding, and have been accepted into the Education Abroad program for class credit. You can receive up to $5,000, depending on the program length.

In my case, I was awarded $2,500 for a two-week Summer semester program.

The Gilman scholarship didn’t disqualify me for being an older student returning after a 10-year break from school, count the gaps in my transcript, or use the years when I didn’t do so well against me.

What they cared about most was that I was honest about my journey.

Gilman wasn’t the only scholarship I earned either. The University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) had several scholarships worth applying for in its Financial Aid portal. I was able to cover the entire cost of my program with all the funding I had received.

There is one caveat. The program’s costs are often due before scholarship money is disbursed. This is where starting early and planning matter the most. I covered my initial fees with a combination of leftover financial aid from previous semesters, saved income, and personal credit.

If cost is the only thing standing between you and your study abroad journey, start with the UHCL scholarship portal and apply for the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.

Apply for everything you qualify for, even if you don’t think you’ll get it.

Don’t let the price tag stop you. Work with an Education Abroad Program advisor and find out what resources are available for you. You might be surprised by what you find.