The Learning Abroad Center’s Financial Need Early Planning Scholarship provides study abroad awards for University of Minnesota undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need.
This scholarship is intended to:
ease the financial barrier of study abroad for students with significant financial need.
provide assurance of funding earlier in the process and encourage early financial planning. Recipients have up to one year to use their award.
increase representation of economically disadvantaged students on study abroad programs.
The Financial Need Early Planning scholarship is not merit based and awards are granted based on the strength of a student’s essay.
This application is comprised of 2 separate essay questions:
Visit the Learning Abroad Center Scholarship Portal to learn more about specific essay questions and requirements.
What motivated you to select your particular study abroad program? Address any academic, career, and/or personal goals that were part of your decision, and expand on one or more of them*. (350 words maximum)
We understand your financial aid (as assessed on the FAFSA) may not fully explain your financial circumstances. While eligibility for this award is determined by qualification for subsidized loans, scholarship reviewers do not have access to your financial aid information.
With that in mind, elaborate on the specifics of the financial circumstances impacting your and/or your family's ability to pay for study abroad. Discuss what financial planning strategies you will use and/or steps you have already taken to pay for study abroad. Be as specific as possible. Your responses will remain confidential. (350 words maximum)
You can apply to the scholarship up to a year in advance. If you do not receive the scholarship the first time you apply, you can apply again.
Apply for the deadline based on the Education Abroad Term found on the Apply section of your Program page. Contact Kelley Redmond if you are unsure of your program term or have any questions.
Term of Study | Deadline Date | Notification Date |
---|---|---|
Winter Break 2020-21 Winter Break 2020-21 (Fall 2020 on-campus course) Winter Break 2020-21 (Spring 2021 on-campus course) Spring Semester 2021 Calendar Year Spring 2021-Fall 2020 Spring Break 2021 May Session 2021 May Session 2021 (Spring 2021 on-campus course) Summer 2021 Fall Semester 2021 Academic Year 2021-22 |
September 16, 2020 | By October 28, 2020 |
Spring Break 2021 May Session 2021 May Session 2021 (Spring 2021 on-campus course) Summer 2021 Fall Semester 2021 Academic Year 2021–22 Winter Break 2021-22 Winter Break 2021-22 (Fall 2021 on-campus course) Winter Break 2021-22 (Spring 2022 on-campus course) Spring Semester 2022 Calendar Year Spring 2021-Fall 2022 |
February 3, 2021 | By March 17, 2021 |
Scholarship notification emails will be sent to all applicants' UofM email accounts 4–6 weeks after the deadline.
The award can be used for any term listed for the application cycle during which you apply. If you change terms later your award amount may be adjusted. If the term you change to is shorter than the term you received the scholarship for, your award amount will decrease. If the term you change to is longer than the term you received the scholarship for, your award amount will remain the same.
The number of scholarships awarded by deadline may vary depending on the pool of applicants and the funding available.
Term | Amount |
---|---|
Academic Year | $4,500 |
Fall Semester | $3,000 |
Winter Break |
$1,500 |
Calendar Year | $4,500 |
Spring Semester | $3,000 |
Spring Break | $1,500 |
May Session May Session (Spring on-campus course) |
$1,500 |
Summer Session | $2,000 |