There are many scholarships for study abroad. Students should research scholarships well in advance of studying abroad as many applications are due six months to more than a year in advance of travel. Plan strategically to give your application a competitive edge. Students studying a “critical language” (Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Russian, etc.) and studying in destinations outside Western Europe and Oceania are good candidates for Gilman and Boren Scholarships (see U.S. government scholarships below). Study Abroad Advisors in Overseas Studies can offer guidance.
Existing Scholarships & Study Abroad
All scholarships granted by USC and all outside scholarships may be applied to the cost of a semester or year-long study abroad program. Tuition-based scholarships (e.g. Trustee, Presidential, and Dean’s) are adjusted proportionally according to the total tuition (excluding the USC administrative fee) of the program to which the student is accepted. All scholarships must be reported to USC Financial Aid, and all scholarships are factored into calculations of student need.
Tuition Assistance Benefit (TAB) & Study Abroad
For students who receive a tuition assistance benefit because of a family member’s employment at USC, the study abroad program tuition amount is coverend by TAB. The $3,000 per semester USC administrative fee is not covered by TAB. All programs have minimum unit requirements while abroad, which range from 15 to 18 units per semester. The number of units attempted abroad is the number of TAB units “used up” or deducted from the total number of TAB undergraduate units available.
USC Scholarships
USC Africa Student Fund
The USC Africa Student Fund is an endowment to support undergraduate student travel to African countries for study, research, service-based learning and internships. Applications are welcome every October for travel during the following year. Applicants must have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA to qualify. Find more information here.
Del Amo Scholarships for study abroad in Spain
USC Dornsife majors participating in the USC Madrid or Bilbao programs can apply for a scholarship from the Del Amo Fund, which aims to promote education and increase understanding between Spain and southern California. These awards are merit based. Upon acceptance to their program, students can contact their study abroad advisor for details on how to apply. Students must have a major in USC Dornsife to be eligible for this award.
The USC Black Alumni Association Nancy J. and Reginald W. Lathan Endowed Scholarship Fund – USC Madrid
The USC Black Alumni Association Nancy J. and Reginald W. Lathan Endowed Scholarship Fund is proud to offer $5,000 in scholarship funding for students with demonstrated financial need who will attend the USC Madrid spring semester program. More details coming soon.
Hovel Scholarship for study abroad in Austria and Germany
Students participating in the IES Berlin and IES Vienna programs are encouraged to apply for the Hovel scholarship, an award of up to $10,000 for students demonstrating a high level of interest in German language and the culture, history, politics, economics, and society of Austria and/or Germany. Students with a German minor receive priority consideration. The application can be found here.
USC Paris and USC Madrid Travel Grants
Students who are accepted to the USC Paris or USC Madrid programs and have high financial need may apply for a travel grant. Awards range from $500 to $2,000.
Gold Family Scholarships
Believing that overseas experiences have tremendous impact on personal and intellectual growth, Stan and Ilene Gold established this scholarship for outstanding Trustee scholars seeking to study abroad. Applicants must write an essay describing their chosen study abroad program and how it will benefit their studies at USC.
Awarded once a year.
Dean Joan Metcalf Schaefer CSP Travel scholarship
These are scholarships and awards for students in the USC Dana and David Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences, who will be attending the Cambridge Summer Program (CSP). Students must have junior standing or higher with a minimum cumulative USC GPA of 3.5. Applicants should have demonstrated scholarly excellence and a continuous love of learning. Once admitted to the CSP program, students will receive information on how to apply for this scholarship.
Awarded once a year.
Merit Scholars – Exceptional Funding
Presidential, Trustee, Mork, or Stamps merit scholars may apply for exceptional funding to apply towards the cost of study abroad.
USC Study Abroad Grants
The Study Abroad Grant is open to USC undergraduate students who are participating in study abroad programs offered at USC. The purpose of the grant is to ensure all students have the opportunity to access these programs. In particular, the grant is intended to assist students with additional expenses associated with overseas studies (e.g., vaccinations, plane tickets, passport fees). Students must have completed the financial aid application process and must be admitted to a USC study abroad program for a full semester or year. Recipients may request to receive funding earlier than the university’s normal disbursement schedule to cover upfront costs.
Awarded twice a year.