Scholarships and Financial Aid

SCHOLARSHIPS

If you are interested in a study abroad program, consider applying for a University of Lynchburg, Office of Global Education scholarship. Most, but not all, of our scholarships are need-based. If you qualify, you could have up to $1000 of the program fees covered.

Each faculty-led study abroad/away program will have scholarship opportunities. The scholarship application form will be provided when the webpage and other information about a given program is available. It is a very short application!

UNIVERSITY OF LYNCHBURG STUDY ABROAD SCHOLARSHIPS

There are many scholarships available and you only need to apply once! Most scholarships are need-based. Some also are limited to certain majors, certain types of trips, and certain locations. One scholarship is for students who have served in elected youth leadership position in DOC and who demonstrate promise of becoming adult lay leaders or 2) students who are members of DOC and who are participating in service learning trips. Some are for domestic trips.

You can apply for a study abroad scholarship here once the program is open.

ADDITIONAL UNIVERSITY OF LYNCHBURG SCHOLARSHIP

The Student Experience Endowment Fund (SEE Fund). The SEE Fund is for the benefit of students, undergraduate or graduate, of the University of Lynchburg for extra-curricular and co-curricular experiences affiliated with the University, who demonstrate financial need and show academic promise. This award fund was established in memory of Reverend William F. Murdock, Class of 1956.

Applicants must:

1. Be a current University of Lynchburg student.

2. Have exhausted all other University of Lynchburg funding resources, such as Study Abroad Scholarships as well as funds available through the Office of Student Engagement & Leadership Development, the Spiritual Life Center, etc.

3. Preference is given to Pell-eligible or high financial need students.

4. One maximum award of $250 per student per semester.

The SEE Fund Committee will approve or deny all applicants. Not all applications can be approved as funding is limited. Approved applicants must complete a reflection within 10 days of the activity. Past awarded activities have included: conferences, spring break trips, membership dues, outdoor leadership opportunities, and more.

You can apply for SEE Funds by completing the SEE Fund Application.

OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS

In addition to University of Lynchburg scholarships, students may choose to research additional outside scholarships through various programs and organizations. While Lynchburg is not affiliated with any of the following organizations or resources, some scholarships are highlighted. Google is also a great resource!

These websites compile lists of scholarships:

Go Abroad Study Abroad Scholarships

Go Overseas Study Abroad Grants & Scholarships Information (tons of scholarships listed here!)

StudyAbroad.com Scholarship Information

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program

The Gilman Scholarship Program offers awards for undergraduate study abroad, including short term, faculty led study abroad such as the study abroad programs at UL during summer and winter terms. This scholarship provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding to participate in study and intern abroad programs worldwide (only at countries with US State Department Level 1 or Level 2 travel advisories).

Deadline: The March 5, 2026 Deadline application is open for applicants whose abroad programs or internships start between May 1, 2026 to April 30, 2027. These are for students on PELL Grants. This cycle encompasses Maymester 2026, Summer 2026, Fall 2026, academic year 2026-2027, and Spring 2027 abroad programs or internships. The application deadline is Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 11:59pm Pacific Time.

All applicants will be notified of their status via email in May 2026.

Award: up to $5,000

Gilman-McCain Scholarship

The Gilman-McCain Scholarship provides awards for child and spousal dependents of active or activated United States military personnel during the time of application (including Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, Army, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy, Navy Reserve, Space Force, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and USPHS Commissioned Corps) to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs. Applicants must be recipients of any type of Title IV federal financial aid during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving Title IV federal financial aid during their study abroad program or internship.

Award: up to $5,000

Deadline: The Gilman-McCain August 2025 Deadline application will open in mid-June for applicants whose abroad programs or internships start between September 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026. The application deadline is Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 11:59pm Pacific Time, and the advisor certification deadline is Thursday, August 14, 2025.

All applicants will be notified of their status via email in September 2025. All advisors will also be notified of scholarship recipients via email and will have access to the status of each student in their Gilman advisor account.

Tortuga Backpacks Study Abroad Scholarship

Tortuga Backpacks provides study abroad funding to students for tuition, room and board, books, or travel.

Award: $1,000 & a Tortuga travel backpack

To apply for the Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship, you must:

Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or currently studying in the United States on a student visa
Be a full-time undergraduate student in good academic standing at a four-year, degree-granting college or university in the United States
Have applied to or been accepted into a study abroad program eligible for credit by your college or university

Deadlines:

Spring 2026 Scholarship

Submit your application by November 15, 2025.
The winner will be announced on November 30, 2025.

Fall 2026 Scholarship

Submit your application by April 15, 2026.
The winner will be announced on April 30, 2026.

Summer and Winter Term Scholarships

The Tortuga Study Abroad scholarship is limited to the spring and fall semesters and cannot be used on May-mesters, summer programs, or winter programs.

Boren Awards

Boren Scholarships, an initiative of the National Security Education Program, provide unique funding opportunities for U.S. undergraduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests, and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.Boren Scholars represent a vital pool of highly motivated individuals who wish to work in the federal national security arena and promote long term linguistic and cultural immersion, and therefore study abroad proposals for two or more semesters are strongly encouraged. In exchange for funding, Boren Scholars commit to working in the federal government for at least one year after graduation. In exchange for scholarship funding, all Boren Scholars must agree to the NSEP Service Requirement.

Awards:

$8,000 for a summer program (special initiative for STEM students only; 8 weeks minimum)

$10,000 for a semester

$20,000 for a full academic year

Rotary Skelton/Jones Scholarship

If you are interested in studying abroad for a year after graduation, Rotary has a scholarship opportunity! Please see Rotary District 7570's website for more information.

The $35,000 scholarships must be in one of Rotary’s Areas of Focus:

Peace and Conflict Prevention/Resolution
Disease Prevention and Treatment
Water and Sanitation
Maternal and Child Health
Basic Education and Literacy
Economic and Community Development
Environment

Timeline for 2026-2027 Academic Year for Skelton/Jones

August 31, 2026: Deadline for applications and supporting documentation to be submitted to District Scholarship Committee. For the full schedule, see the Skelton/Jones website.

FINANCIAL AID

Studying abroad can be a life changing experience and planning ahead is the key to making it a reality. It’s just a matter of finding a program that fits your budget and resources.

Applying for Study Abroad Aid

Students must be in good academic standing to participate in a Study Abroad program.

In most cases, a student may have already received a financial aid award. For Winter Term study abroad programs, the award package is unlikely to increase once we adjust for the cost of attendance to reflect Study Abroad during Winter Term. Summer Study Abroad programs may have additional Federal Direct loan eligibility, however. For both Winter and Summer Terms, additional aid resources for most Study Abroad students include the Parent PLUS loan, Private/Alternative loan, or the Grad PLUS loan (Graduate students only).

The student must have an academic enrollment of a minimum of half-time to qualify for Direct Loans, Parent PLUS, Grad PLUS, and most grants and scholarships. Private/Alternative Loan availability at less-than-half enrollment is at the discretion of the lender.

Every student is going to have a unique financial situation when it comes to Study Abroad. If you have financial aid questions specific to your situation, please contact the Financial Aid team within the Solutions Center.

Processing Timeline

Documentation is processed after receiving program information from the student.

Per Federal regulations, aid cannot disburse before the start of the University of Lynchburg semester in which you are studying abroad.

For semesters abroad, it is important that transcripts (from the host, overseas university) be received and processed promptly. You will receive a one semester grace period in which you will be allowed to receive financial aid while your transcript is being sent in and evaluated; however, no aid will be disbursed during the second semester following your Study Abroad Program until all transcripts have been received and evaluated.

If you have program costs that are due prior to the time that funds can be disbursed by our office, you will be responsible for making arrangements to pay these up-front costs.

Other Tips

All requirements should be completed well in advance of program departure date.

There is no guarantee that financial aid will cover your costs for the Study Abroad/Away Program.

It is often helpful to discuss your financial aid and loan options with a financial aid counselor. To set up an appointment with your counselor call 434.544.8228 or stop by the Financial Aid Office.

Share this information with others who are helping you with your financial resources (i.e. parents, family members)

Financial Aid Resources

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