EXACTLY How I was Able to Afford a Semester Abroad (for the same amount as staying in-state)

When I ask people what's holding them back from studying abroad, the most common answer I get is "it's hella expensive." While it's true that spending over three months in another country without any income is expensive, you may be surprised to know that the cost of the program itself is not much different than a semester in-state. If you work hard, that is.

In this post, I am going to try to break down exactly how I took out the same amount of loans for a semester abroad as I would have in-state.

Yes, I pay for college myself and YES that means taking out the dreaded student loans... DUH-DUH-DUHHH. But I also know what I am investing in as far as my education and experience goes and to me, a few thousand in loans in exchange for a chance of a lifetime is a no-brainer. How did I do it? Keep reading.

1. I did my research to find the right study abroad program.Jack and I looked at a lot of different program providers so that we were able to go on the same trip even though we were at different schools. We also knew that going through a program provider would allow us to meet new people, immerse ourselves further, and grant us more opportunity. In the end, we chose SAI Programs for their affordability, customer service, location, and their signature services. They were hands-down the cheapest program for a semester abroad ($13,495).

2. I applied for scholarships.I know applying for scholarships can be overwhelming, but start with your own university and your program provider. I guarantee you that your college and the program you pick will offer scholarships, and these are usually pretty easy to apply for. I was blessed to have landed a substantial scholarship from Georgia State and a small sum from SAI. These made all the difference when it came to my total program cost.

3. I was able to use my Hope scholarship.Because I am a Georgia resident, I was able to use my Hope scholarship to cover some of the cost of my tuition. If you also have Hope, GOOD NEWS! You will most-likely be able to do the same.

4. I worked part-time and fundraised. When I first decided to study abroad, I knew I was going to have to go all in. This meant making as much money as I could to help lower the cost of my program.

I did this in a few different ways:

I created a fundraiser campaign and was blessed enough to use my God-given gifts in photography to book shoots, make greeting cards, and order calendars all to raise money for my trip.

I picked up extra shifts at work as well as a few side jobs and put all the extra earnings straight into financing my trip.

I sent out a dozen or so letters to family & friends that I knew were not on social media in order to ask for a contribution in exchange for a postcard from Europe!

5. I used my federal aid. Federal aid includes the subsidized & unsubsidized loans from the government and the amount "awarded" is dependent on your FASFA application. I chose to take out all the federal loans I was eligible for (around $5,500) and was blessed enough to not have to take out any private loans! That was the ultimate goal!!

6. I dipped into my savings. I have been saving a bit of money for a while now and and it was always there for me if I needed it! So, I decided to use a bit of my savings in order to purchase my plane ticket (TIP: get it early!!) and pay off a small portion of my program. I hope these tips helped and make you feel a little less afraid to go after your dreams and apply to study abroad!

Have any more questions? Leave them below!

Cheers,

Liv