Scholarships

For a timeline of scholarship availability, please visit the scholarship timeline. To apply, please go to https://scholarships.tamu.edu/iss. For more information please e-mail saposcholarships@tamu.edu.

There are several scholarships available to students studying abroad. The Study Abroad Programs Office offers two scholarships for semester, academic year, and summer students.

Study Abroad Fellowship (SAF) - This is primarily a need-based scholarship with funds contributed through the generosity of the Association of Former Students, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, and Global scholarships.  Funding can vary depending on the length of program, granted to a student only once.  For Texas A&M University students enrolled full time at College Station campus and in good academic standing.  Applicants are required to participate in and complete a Texas A&M pre-approved credit-bearing study abroad experience.  Applicants must submit a completed scholarship application by the scholarship deadline and complete all program application requirements and be in an accepted program status by scholarship deadline.  Application deadlines are October (spring), February (summer), and April (fall).  

International Education Fee Scholarship (IEFS) - Funded by the International Education Fee, this is primarily a merit-based scholarship and awards may vary depending on the length of the program.  This scholarship is granted to a student only once in their current degree/non-degree program. It is for currently-enrolled Texas A&M University students who pay the International Education Fee.  Applicants are required to participate in and complete a Texas A&M pre-approved credit-bearing study or research abroad experience, generally defined as an experience outside the student’s country of citizenship. Graduate/Professional students and Undergraduate students have separate application processes, overseen by two different offices. For more information for Graduate/Professional students (regardless of your nationality) visit the International Student Services web site.

Other types of scholarships available to students:

  • Campus and National Scholarships
  • Minority Scholarships
  • Region-Specific Scholarships
  • Independent Study Abroad Provider Scholarships
  • Financial Aid Search Engines

Honors Study Abroad Scholarship Stipend
Students can also use their regular Honors Scholarship Stipend provided they will meet the University Honors Program eligibility requirements for enrollment. Download the instructions and application for the Honors Study Abroad Scholarship Stipend in PDF format here.  Please contact the University Honors Program Office for more information. 

Loans and Grants

Approximately 30% of students studying abroad in summer 2006 received a federal and/or private loan. All undergraduate students enrolled in at least 6 semester credit hours (half-time) and graduate students enrolled in at least 4 semester credit hours (half-time) at Texas A&M are eligible to apply for and receive federal and state loans and grants.
All students enrolled half-time in Texas A&M courses for which they are paying tuition to Texas A&M are eligible for federal and state financial aid. Students who are studying abroad at least half-time and transferring courses back to Texas A&M are eligible for federal and state financial aid provided their program is ONE of the following:

  • A program through a U.S. university for example: Arcadia University, Butler
     University, Texas Tech University, etc.
  • A program through an affiliated foreign university or study abroad provider. For a
    current list of foreign universities with which Texas A&M University has an
    agreement, go to: http://moa-db.tamu.edu.
    For a current list of affiliated third-party providers,
    go to: http://studyabroad.tamu.edu/funding_independent.asp

In order to be eligible for federal or state loans, please refer to the financial aid process detailed in the section “Applying Your Financial Aid to Study Abroad.”

The Scholarships & Financial Aid Office provides a list of federal and state grants and loans for which students can apply at
https://financialaid.tamu.edu/currentaggies.asp?mainkey=602&Section=&disp+1&pop+1.

MSC Overseas Loan
The MSC L.T. Jordan Institute offers Texas A&M students the MSC Overseas Loan to use toward their study abroad.  This loan is worth up to $1,000 and is a supplemental, interest-free loan that must be repaid before a student graduates.  To find more information on the MSC Overseas Loan, go to http://ltjordan.tamu.edu/funds/osl/

Sponsorships

Each year, many students studying abroad raise scholarship money themselves through their own hometown connections. Study Abroad Programs encourages students to do this and has made arrangements with the Scholarships & Financial Aid Office for you to have such donations sent directly to Texas A&M in your name to be applied directly to your tuition and fees. Students have told us in the past that some corporate and business donors like to know that your requests for scholarships are valid and want receipts they can use for tax purposes.

What kinds of companies and businesses give scholarships that I might ask about?

You may need to do some investigating in your own hometown. A good place to start is the local Chamber of Commerce. Another is the local newspaper – often there is an editor for a section focusing on people and education who may have some ideas of organizations in your town that often support educational activities. For example, many law firms, large corporate entities such as HEB and Walmart, and groups such as Rotary Club often have ties to education and promote scholarships. Many students have parents whose employers have scholarship programs for which you may also be eligible. One student even made a list of businesses that gave money in the past for scholarships. Bottom line is to contact anyone you know of who has a business, since usually small business rather than larger businesses (like corporations), prefer the tax break!

Can my parents send money to Texas A&M University and call it a scholarship?

No. Only a company or business can create a scholarship or receive a receipt showing a tax deductible donation from Texas A&M. If your parents are looking for a way to help with tax deductions, remember that many college expenses are tax deductible through the use of the US government’s Hope or Lifelong learning credits.

How do I present the information to a potential donor?

We suggest that you write a letter briefly introducing yourself and your goals in studying abroad, be it career, personal, etc. Tell a little about where you are going, the courses you will be taking, and how you believe this will impact your potential career goals. Describe the cost of the program and what your financial needs are. If the business has donated to education in the past, note that you hope they would help you to fulfill this dream of going abroad. It doesn't hurt to emphasize the importance of private funding for financing an international experience due to rising costs due to inflation, currency exchange rates, etc. Suggest ways you would give back to the community (speaking, writing articles, etc.) as a public service after receiving such a scholarship. Let potential donors know that they can request verification of your participation in a study abroad program and remember to emphasize that this is a tax write-off for the donor.

Another helpful tip is to fill out the Scholarship Donor form (see below for link) as fully as possible, while also including a self-addressed, stamped envelope to make it as simple as possible for the donor to contribute to send a donation directly to the Texas A&M Scholarships & Financial Aid Office.

How does the donor send money to Texas A&M University?

If you are going on a study or research program (for credit) outside the US, you can tell the business or company (not individuals), that they may send their donation to your scholarship to the Texas A&M Scholarships & Financial Aid Office, using the “Scholarship Donor” form that can be found at https://scholarships.tamu.edu/AllForms.asp. Upon receipt, the funds will be posted to your tuition and fee bill at Texas A&M University. Please keep Scholarships & Financial Aid (ph 845-3236; http://financialaid.tamu.edu) apprised of the donation amounts you expect to receive.  This will help your Scholarships & Financial Aid advisor to adjust your financial aid award package accordingly.

Study Abroad Program Office
Bizzell Hall West, first floor
Texas A&M University
Phone:- 845-0544
Email:-studyabroad@tamu.edu