Financial Aid
In general, all federal financial aid, excluding Federal Work-Study, should be available as long as students are earning credits toward their degrees while abroad. This includes Pell Grants, guaranteed student loans, and PLUS Loans. Nearly all states also allow state financial aid to go with students abroad; however, students should discuss policies regarding state and institutional aid with their study abroad or financial aid office.
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When determining your financial needs, make sure to include all possible expenses, including the program fee (tuition and housing), airfare, meals, books, field trips, course fees, materials, insurance, Permit of Stay, cell phone, personal travel, and miscellaneous purchases.
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​If you are anticipating financial aid that will not be available before your program fee is due, you must arrange for ISI Abroad to receive official written notification of the source, amount, and release date of the funding. When we get this information from your financial aid officer or from the funding source, ISI Abroad will note the amount expected and defer the payment of that portion of your fee until the specified date.
Private Lenders for Undergrads
ISI Abroad Work-Study Grants
ISI Abroad has created the Work-Study Project Program. This initiative makes funding available for qualifying students to complete a small project that can be easily performed while abroad. Projects are available in a variety of disciplines and additional project areas may be proposed in line with student needs and interests. These projects not only provide students with extra funding in order to improve study abroad affordability and access, but they also enhance the overall experience and provide a valuable service for the Institute that improves the program for future participants.
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Students interested in a Work-Study Grant must have already submitted their application form to either ISI Florence or the Umbra Institute. They must then apply separately for the Work-Study they wish to pursue.
Scholarships and Grants
ISI Florence Partnership Scholarships
ISI Florence has developed a number of diversity and merit-based scholarships in cooperation with its partners. To apply for scholarship funds, students must complete an ISI online application and indicate in the essay the reason they are applying for scholarship funds and the amount requested (may vary from $500 – $2500).
ISI Florence State University Scholarship
Students enrolled at a state university in the United States are eligible for the State Universities in Florence Scholarship. Funds are designated to support affordable study abroad opportunities during semester programs and can value up to $2,500 USD. Click Here for more information and apply.
Umbra Institute Scholarships
The Umbra Institute offers scholarships for those who qualify the selection for the scholarship is based on the following criteria:
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Academic excellence and intellectual passion
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Great distinction in their desire to study abroad in Italy
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Demonstrated need for financial assistance
Candidates must first complete the online application to be considered for scholarships and grants. Indicate in the application essay your request for scholarship funding.
The Umbra-Perugia Sister City Scholarship
Residents of Grand Rapids, Michigan or Seattle, Washington are eligible for the Umbra-Perugia Sister City Scholarship. For more details on how to apply, click here: Umbra-Perugia Sister City Scholarship
The Marc and Lois Tartaglia Scholarship (UConn)
Any UConn student that has applied for study at the Umbra Institute during the spring semester is eligible. For more details on how to apply contact Education Abroad.
Anna Girolimetti Italian Language & Culture Scholarship
This scholarship is available to female students between the ages of 18 and 23 studying at an accredited university in the United States who meet the following criteria: enrollment in the semester Italian Language & Culture Program at the Umbra Institute, and demonstration of excellence in academics or financial need. To apply, click here.
Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) Scholarships
US citizens or permanent residents enrolled in an undergraduate program at an American college or university could be eligible for scholarships offered through the Fund for Education Abroad. All are welcome to apply, though preference is given to traditionally underrepresented students within the study abroad community and students who demonstrate financial need. Such groups include first-generation college students, minority students, and community college students, as well as others. Click here for more information about funding amounts and application components
​View the Fund for Education Abroad scholarships website for a full list of available scholarships.
Easy, No Essay College Scholarships
Many partial scholarships don’t have restrictions on how many you can qualify for, so it’s wise to apply for as many as possible. While some scholarships have an intense application process, there are plenty of options that are far more accessible. We’ve compiled a list of no-essay scholarships that don’t take more than a few minutes to apply for.
Shawn Carter Foundation Scholarships
The Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund is open to US citizens or Permanent residents at 25 years old or younger with a minimum GPA of 2.0, with preference given to non-traditional students (from single-parent households, first-generation students, etc.). Applications are open during the month of April. Click here for more details.
Gilman Scholarships
Students receiving a Pell Grant may be eligible for this scholarship which provides $5,000 for any semester or year abroad. Check out the Institute of International Education Gilman Scholarship website for details.
The National Italian American Foundation Scholarships
The National Italian American Foundation offers a long list of scholarship opportunities. Scholarship amounts vary and are not solely applicable to study abroad. View available scholarships online to see if you are eligible to apply.
The Italian Cultural Society of Washington D.C. Scholarships
ICS offers awards and scholarships to university students in the D.C. area who are engaged in Italian language study. You can click here to learn more about available awards and eligibility. Awards are also available for students under 31 who excel in Latin and/or Greek, piano performance, painting, and art or art history.
National Organization of Italian American Women Scholarships
NOIAW sponsors scholarships for Italian American women with a minimum GPA of 3.5 and demonstration of financial need, enrolled at an accredited US institution of higher education. Click here to learn more about eligibility and the application process. The winner of the scholarship must have at least one parent of Italian descent.
Other Forms of Funding
Students who go on study abroad programs say the experience profoundly influences their way of thinking. To study abroad is to undertake an adventure that will expose you to new customs and languages, new ways of thinking, new and different ways to live. But often it requires finding ways to fund the adventure. If your financial aid does not cover all the anticipated expenses, you may consider private sources of funding and scholarships.
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Government and Private Funding: