Financial Aid and Scholarships

Financing Study Abroad

Gather information on financing your program as well as scholarship opportunities.

Program Costs

Clark University is committed to helping all our students participate in study abroad programs with high academic standards. The Office of Study Abroad Programs (OSAP) attempts to make the study abroad experience a true extension of Clark's campus. This means a number of things, but of particular relevance, it means that we try to provide smooth transitions for our students going to very different educational systems and environments and then returning to Clark.

Such goals require many different levels of planning, implementing, and overseeing, as well as variables. Just to cite a few examples, the OSAP prepares students for their programs before they leave, administers the integration of their courses/projects abroad into the Clark curriculum, communicates with students and program directors overseas on a wide variety of matters, and translates foreign credits into Clark credits. In these respects and others, Clark study abroad programs are designed to extend our classrooms. They are Clark programs and so, students pay tuition and receive academic credit and grades, as if they were residing at Clark. For study abroad programs in particular, variables include not only costs incurred abroad within a specific program. Variables also include currency exchange rates, Clark financial aid, communication expenses, overhead expenses, etc.

With the exception of the Leir Luxembourg Program and the Prague-Terezín Program, Clark charges tuition only for most of its study abroad programs. Students will pay housing and board fees directly to the program in which they enroll. These fees will vary according to program. The exception is the London Internship Program, for which Clark charges an International Program Fee, and pays the students' expenses in London directly to the program. This fee is set annually in relation to Clark's tuition, room and board fees. Financial aid will travel with you in most cases, but it is critical that you talk to the Office of Financial Assistance (see below) to see how and when this is distributed, and whether there will be any changes to your overall financial aid package.

Students are responsible for personal travel, books, and any other expenses. Students have to arrange and pay for their own flight arrangements, passports and visas. While the Study Abroad office may be able to offer general advice and information on obtaining study visas, we have no influence on foreign Consulates with regard to cost, documentation requirements, and length of time it takes to make an appointment or to process the visa. Please allow yourself plenty of time to arrange for your required documentation.

Financial Aid

Clark has chosen to allow students to study abroad on Clark Programs with those financial aid awards provided directly by Clark. This policy aims to avoid the situation whereby only financially independent students can afford to participate. International Scholarships are granted to enrich the Clark campus with international students and, in general, cannot be applied to off-campus programs. Also, you cannot access your Work Study award while you are abroad, so you should consult with the Office of Financial Assistance, well in advance, in order to apply for a different form of aid. Often, your Work Study grant can be translated into a student loan. If you receive a Stafford Loan, be sure to check with Financial Aid about the length of time needed to process any paperwork.

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Study Abroad Scholarships

Congratulations to our latest Scholarship Winners!

Clark University awards several scholarships to eligible students who are accepted to semester or year-long study abroad programs. Please note that many of these deadlines are for the following academic year - including all fall, spring and year-long programs for that year. Students looking to study abroad in Spring of 2010 should apply for the scholarship by the March 31, 2009 deadline. In that case, your award will be tentative pending your acceptance on a study abroad program.

The Marshall Geer McKim Memorial Fund (ranging from $500 - $1,500) is awarded annually to study abroad for a semester or entire year on a Clark program. There are no official application forms, but you need to submit a 1-2 page typewritten essay, which includes the following information:
- that you are a U.S. citizen and a financial aid recipient
- your reasons and goals for studying abroad
- when and where you plan to study abroad
- a list of your community service involvement
- a list of your contributions to Clark campus life
- your box number and campus phone number
Please attach a signed statement from the Financial Assistance office indicating that you receive financial aid at Clark, an unofficial grade transcript (web version accepted), and one passport-size photo. Complete applications should be submitted by March 31, each year to the Study Abroad/Study Away Office, Dana Commons, x7363.
The University of East Anglia (UEA) Exchange Scholarship ($1000) is awarded each semester by the English Department. This award is merit-based and you must be an English major planning to study at either the School of American Studies, School of Film and Television Studies, or School of Literature and Creative Writing of the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England for a semester or the entire year. To apply, contact Professor Virginia Mason Vaughan, English Department, Anderson House, x7142.
The Zenovia Sochor Memorial Fund ($500) is awarded annually by the Government Department to declared Government majors or minors studying abroad in spring, preferably in an Eastern European country, but programs like the London Internship and Namibia, etc are also acceptable. Note: you must have a 3.40 GPA or higher to be eligible. There are no official application forms, but you need to submit a 1-2 page typewritten essay, which includes the following information:
- your reasons and goals for studying abroad
- when and where you plan to study abroad
- your box number, email, and campus phone number
Please attach an unofficial transcript to the essay (web version accepted) and a passport-size photo. Applications are generally due by October 15, and should be sent to Professor Sharon Krefetz, Department of Government and International Relations, 304 Jefferson Academic Center, xt 7327.
The Morris Cohen Scholarship ($2,500) is awarded each semester by American University to an eligible Clark student who is applying to an A.U. Washington Semester Program that includes a study abroad component (International Environment and Development Semester; the Peace and Conflict Semester; the International Business Semester; the International Law and Organizations Semester; and the Contemporary Islam Semester). This competitive award is meant to offset the additional fees related to the study abroad component of the program. You must submit a 1-2 page typewritten essay along with your application to the A.U. program. The essay must include your reasons and goals for participating in the program, your Clark box number, e-mail and Clark phone number. Please attach the completed "Dean's Scholarship" AU request form with your completed application. Applications are due October 1 for spring and March 1 for fall programs, and should be submitted to the Study Abroad/Study Away Office, Dana Commons, x7363.

Information on additional scholarship opportunities is posted on a bulletin board in the Study Abroad/Study Away Office, Dana Commons. You can also browse the links below.

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Outside Funding

You may also be eligible for an outside scholarship to support your time abroad. Your overseas institution or program provider may offer some scholarships; check with the Study Abroad Office for more information. There are many possible scholarships available; here is a list of some resources:

National and Local Scholarships/Grants

Scholarship Databases and Web Search Engines

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Office of Study Abroad and Study Away Programs

Study Abroad Programs