Studying abroad with SBCC can be more affordable, especially comparative to programs you can choose at a 4-year-institution. Our programs are either semester-long or shorter in the summer or winter break. Housing is already included in the program cost and so are excursions, entry fees to museums and other sights. Most programs also include local transportation, pre-departure and on site orientations, local walking tours, 24/7 emergency hotlines and more.
When you think about how much you pay in rent in Santa Barbara or wherever you are living, going abroad can even be cheaper, unless you live for free at home.
That being said, there are of course costs associated with studying abroad. This usually includes the program cost, tuition & books, flights, food while abroad (sometimes some meals are included in our programs), international travel/ health insurance (sometimes included in our programs) and personal spending money.
Your first step should be to make a list of expenses with estimated costs for the whole time of the program. Then, start researching the different financial resources that are available to you. You can start by visiting our Financial Resources website HERE. Financial resources include but are not limited to:
- FAFSA/ Financial Aid
- Scholarships
- SBCC or CA Promise
- Online Fundraising
- Creative fundraising ideas
FAFSA/ Financial Aid
Any student can apply for Financial Aid. Meet with your financial aid advisor to get more information and get support in completing the FAFSA application. If you get financial aid, it will usually be distributed to you directly, so you have to allocate the money as you see fit for the school year. Put some of the financial aid aside to pay for your study abroad program.
SCHOLARSHIPS
The trick with scholarships is to start your research early. Some deadlines are up to one year prior to the program start and you don't won't to miss those opportunities. It's also a numbers game. The more scholarships you can apply for, the more you may get selected for and the more money you'll end up getting!
The trick is that you may not find out if you were selected for a scholarship or will not receive the actual money before your payments to the service provider are due. However, it's easier to figure out how to 'front' the money if you know that you can pay it back with the scholarship money later.
Doing your research for scholarships can also help with your overall planning. SBCC study abroad programs are faculty-led. Because SBCC professors lead the programs, there is a very specific course offering on each program. You will want to meet with your academic advisor to see how the courses on your program fit in with your overall academic plan.
Because you have to figure out how much money you will need early, it will also give you a chance to get that extra job, save up extra money, make some lifestyle changes to save for the trip, talk to your parents or guardians to see how they can support you, and more.
SBCC offers general scholarships as well as Study Abroad scholarships you can apply for if you are a current SBCC student. There are two applications, one for each category and they will submit you to all the scholarships you are eligible for. Just be sure you log in with your Pipeline account, otherwise, it will just show you a list of many scholarships. Scholarships can be anywhere from $500 - $2500 or more per scholarship and as mentioned, you may be able to get more than one.
If you are an EOPS student, you can also apply for the EOPS Study Abroad scholarship. Check in with your EOPS advisor and they will guide you through the process. If you are a current SBCC student and are not part of EOPS, check out their eligibility requirements Here.
There are many additional scholarships outside of SBCC which you can research using any of the search engines listed on our financial resources page (scroll to the bottom of that page to locate the links to the different search engines). These include academic or merit-based scholarships which typically consider your GPA, past or current course work.
You can also find identity-based opportunities. For example, there are scholarships available for African American students, LGBTQIA students, or students of certain ethnicities, gender or interests (i.e. STEM, film, languages etc.).
After identifying different scholarships that you are eligible for, use a worksheet to keep yourself organized. You'll want to include the name of the scholarship, the link to the application, the amount of money you'd get, the date the application opens and the deadline. You can try our Worksheet template or create your own. Start with scholarships that offer the most money. For example, the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship supports underrepresented students such as first-generation college students and students with divers backgrounds. They award up to 3,000 scholarships each year. To be eligible, you must be U.S. Citizens or nationals receiving a federal Pell Grant and the scholarship can be up to $5,000 for a semester program.
The Fund for Education Abroad Scholarships scholarship offers up to $5,000. They have numerous scholarships for many different interests and backgrounds that you can apply for as an undergraduate student at a Community College. The non-profit organization prioritizes first-generation and minority students. The award can in some cases cover the whole program cost!
The Corinne Jeannine Schillings Foundation Scholarships award money to former Girl Scout Silver or Gold Award recipients who want to study abroad while in college. The fund aims to help undergraduate women who want to go abroad for a summer or semester program.
In addition to applying for scholarships, you should also look into the California Promise and the SBCC Promise to cover tuition, fees and books, and into online fundraising as with FundMyTravel.
Lastly, there are some creative ways to make or save money to study abroad. Instead of going to a coffee shop to get your fancy $8 coffee drink, make coffee at home. Instead of eating out, go grocery shopping with your roommates and prepare a meal together. You can hold a bake sale, mow grass for neighbors, wash cars, or enter radio contests. You may have a talent that you can monetize. Good at drawing? Offer to draw pictures of peoples pets. Great at crafts? Why not sell what you make? Birthdays and holidays are the perfect occasion for people to find unique gifts for friends and family. And for those occasions, ask for money for the trip from your family. They love contributing to your future!
SBCC offers Gilman Application workshops as well as Financial Resources workshops on campus every semester. Be sure you sign up for the scholarship newsletter or programs newsletters on our website so you don't miss our many free workshops and info sessions.
Now, go to our program page to pick your program and then get started with your financial worksheet! Contact the Financial Aid office or our office with questions.