Low Income and First Generation students may experience unique opportunities and challenges woven into study abroad/away. Indeed, many students perceive familial, financial, and/or personal barriers to study abroad/away. Much like traversing college as a First Generation student, navigating the study abroad/away process can, at times, feel overwhelming. The Smith Center strongly encourages students to meet with the Smith Center to discuss your options for studying abroad.
St. Olaf strives to remove as many financial barriers to studying abroad/away as possible. All students can expect any financial aid, scholarships, and/or grants (except work-study) they received as a St. Olaf student to “follow them” while studying abroad/away. This allows students to use the aid and scholarships they currently receive toward their study abroad/away experience(s). Additionally, St. Olaf offers many scholarship opportunities, including one scholarship for which students are automatically considered during the application process. The Smith Center is dedicated to assisting students navigate the application and scholarship processes to ensure all funding options are considered during the application and pre-departure phases.
Helpful Links
Resources for Low Income Students
Diversity Abroad – Economically Disadvantaged Students
Diversity Abroad – 17 Smart and Realistic Tips for Your Way Study Abroad Budget
Diversity Abroad – The Pros and Cons of Getting into the Gig Economy While Studying Abroad
USC Santa Cruz: Global Engagement – First-Generation, Low-Income Students: How to Study Abroad and Away
CIEE: A Low-Income Student’s Guide to Study Abroad
Stacie Berdan: 7 Tips to Make Study Abroad More Affordable
Resources for First Generation Students
GoAbroad – Meaningful Tips and Tales: First Gen. Students Abroad
Diversity Abroad – Taking Advantage of Resources as a First Generation College Student
ISA Today – Diversity Abroad: The First in my Family to Study Abroad – Perspectives from Three First-Generation College Students
USC Santa Cruz: Global Engagement – First-Generation, Low-Income Students: How to Study Abroad and Away
Knowledge Without Borders – Ask a First-Generation Student: Diversity and Study Abroad
IFSA – How To Overcome First Generation Hurdles While Studying Abroad