During Winter Session 2025, students from the College of Engineering traveled to Dubai to explore international construction sites. There are a variety of ways for Blue Hens to pay for study abroad experiences like this, from scholarships and financial aid to the Delaware Diplomats on-campus engagement program.

How to pay for study abroad

Article by Center for Global Programs and Services Photos by Center for Global Programs and Services and courtesy of Lauren Ullman and Jennie Saxe February 13, 2025

Answers to your questions about funding a global education

This Winter Session, more than 1,000 Blue Hens took flight to 54 different study abroad programs. In Dubai, engineering students explored international construction sites and embarked on desert safaris. In London, English majors wandered the streets that appear in their favorite Shakespeare plays and Dickens novels. Students at home, who followed their peers’ journeys on social media, may have asked themselves: How can I make my study abroad dreams take flight?

Preparing to study abroad involves many critical steps: selecting the right program, completing the application process, attending orientation meetings, creating a packing list and, most importantly, figuring out how to pay for the experience. Cost can be a major barrier for students hoping to study abroad. However, the Center for Global Programs and Services (CGPS) is committed to making study abroad more accessible for students through scholarships, need-based financial aid, cost calculators and budgeting workshops.

On the other side of the world, students from the College of Arts and Sciences traveled to London to immerse themselves in the city’s rich history in literature and theatre. The Center for Global Programs and Services is committed to making study abroad more accessible for students through scholarships, need-based financial aid, cost calculators, and budgeting workshops.

Q: How much does it cost to study abroad?

Tuition abroad is the same as on-campus tuition. However, students are responsible for purchasing airfare, getting a passport and covering the program fee, which may include housing, dining, international health and emergency insurance, and in-country excursions and transportations.

Q: Does UD offer scholarships for students planning to study abroad?

Yes! CGPS provides up to $1 million in study abroad scholarships each year through need-based aid and provides advising on government scholarships that are available for students who want to study abroad. By participating in the Delaware Diplomats Scholarship Program, students may also earn up to $1,500 in additional funding. Across campus, various departments may also offer study abroad scholarships.

Q: How do I apply for CGPS study abroad scholarships?

To kick off the Winter 2026 application cycle, CGPS is launching a new scholarship program, which allows students to calculate their total cost of study abroad before submitting their application. With this process, students are given a full financial picture, which may help determine which program is the best fit for them. For the upcoming term, students will apply for need-based scholarship determinations by March 16, providing plenty of time to consider different destinations and programs before the April 20 application deadline.

To receive a scholarship, students must demonstrate a high level of financial need on an up-to-date FAFSA submitted to Student Financial Services, strong academic standing (GPA of 3.0 or higher) and first-time eligibility (they cannot have received a CGPS need-based award in the past). Those participating in UD Exchange Programs are ineligible.

To learn more about potential scholarship opportunities, please visit the CGPS Scholarship Program page.

Q: What is the Delaware Diplomats Program?

The Delaware Diplomats Scholarship Program helps make study abroad more accessible and increase global engagement across campus. Sponsored by CGPS, Delaware Diplomats follows a “scout-style” structure, providing students with opportunities to earn badges, which translates to up to $1,500 in scholarships. To earn badges, students engage in intercultural learning experiences, such as attending a guest lecture, visiting International Coffee Hour, mentoring an international student or developing a study abroad packing list. After one full semester in the program, students may “cash out” the funding they have earned and apply it toward their study abroad plans.

Students in the Delaware Diplomats scholarship program can earn up to $1,500 for study abroad by engaging in on-campus global activities that build the cross-cultural competencies needed for a successful study abroad experience. Pictured are the members of the student Leadership Council.

Q: Who is eligible to become a Delaware Diplomat?

Any highly engaged student interested in travelling the world, embracing new cultures and developing a global mindset. While the program is best suited for current first-year students and sophomores, it is also open to juniors.

Q: How do I become a Delaware Diplomat?

Each semester, CGPS invites students to apply for the Delaware Diplomats Scholarship Program. This process includes completing an online application, attending an orientation session and completing a brief online assessment. Throughout the year, students attend monthly meetings and participate in at least three badge activities per semester.

The spring application is already open and will close on Feb. 20, 2025. Students who join this semester can earn funds for Winter 2026 programs and after. To learn more about the Delaware Diplomats Scholarship Program, please visit the website or contact dediplomats@udel.edu.

Q: Are there other scholarships to study abroad?

Yes. The University offers advising for students interested in applying for prestigious United States government scholarships. Past Blue Hens have been honored with the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, Boren Awards, Critical Language Scholarships (CLS) and U.S. Fulbright Scholarship. Applications are currently open for the Boren and Gilman Scholarships. Visit the CGPS Study Abroad Government Scholarships webpage to learn more.

In addition, colleges and departments across campus offer scholarships that support international education, including:

The Richard A. Zipser Study Abroad Scholarship is available to students spending a semester in Europe with the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures. This $1,000 award supports students with interests in studying French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish.
The Janet Murdock Prize is awarded to participants in semester-long study abroad programs to Spanish-speaking countries. For more information, please visit the Department of Language, Literatures, and Cultures.
The Center For Black Culture (CBC) Educational Enrichment Scholarship offers financial assistance to Black students, which can be applied to study abroad programs.
The Danish Institute Abroad (DIS) Scholarship supports students who plan to participate in DIS Copenhagen and Stockholm study abroad programs. Since 1985, professor emeritus Peter Rees from the Department of Geography and Spatial Sciences has coordinated the programs.
The Undergraduate Research Program connects students interested in conducting research abroad with different scholarship opportunities. For instance, the Summer Scholars and Winter Fellows programs may be applied to independent research abroad. Additionally, the Plastino Scholars Program may be applied to international research. Contact the Undergraduate Research Program for more details.

Ask your faculty director or Dean’s office to find out if there are additional funding opportunities available to bring your study abroad dreams to life.

Q: Does financial aid apply to study abroad programs?

Yes. Students may use the federal financial aid they receive to offset the cost of study abroad tuition and fees. For Winter or Summer sessions, students may be eligible for a very limited amount of federal Pell grants.

Q: How can I apply financial aid to my study abroad program?

Aid is applied to the student account in the same way it is when studying on-campus. Please note that all financial aid must be received and processed before you depart for your program. Also, please check that you have a current Academic Year FAFSA on file (UD code 001431).

Q: Are there any additional resources available to financially prepare me to study abroad?

Absolutely. In the CGPS “Before You Explore: Financing Your Study Abroad” webinar, Study Abroad staff break down the financial pros and cons of studying abroad for a semester versus a short-term program, note creative ways other students have used to find extra support, and discuss CGPS financial need-based scholarships and how to earn a scholarship towards a future study abroad program. The next BYE webinar will be on April 8. To register, please visit the Before You Explore webpage.

In addition, Study Abroad Ambassadors are available to offer a student perspective on budgeting before and while abroad. Study Abroad Ambassadors are a carefully selected group of experienced study abroad students and peer mentors, who are willing to share their tips and advice from their own travels. To connect with a Study Abroad Ambassador, please visit the SAA webpage.

Lastly, CGPS staff is always available to discuss students’ study abroad goals. To contact a member of the Study Abroad team, please do not hesitate to visit Alumni Hall or email studyabroad@udel.edu. Find more information at udel.edu/studyabroad.

If your goal is to study abroad, it is our goal to support you.

About the Center for Global Programs and Services

The Center for Global Programs and Services (CGPS) at the University of Delaware is home to the operations of UD Global, which includes Study Abroad, International Student and Scholar Services, World Scholars Program and Global Outreach and Partnerships. The Center provides leadership and collaborative innovation in support of all of the University's global initiatives and campus internationalization efforts, with its Global 360 Strategy serving as a roadmap for infusing international perspectives throughout the University’s scholarship, research, and service missions. Focused on a student-centered approach, CGPS provides expert advising and a wealth of global engagement opportunities to the UD campus community, including the weekly International Coffee Hour in the fall and spring semesters.

Follow and engage with @UDGlobal on Instagram and LinkedIn for the latest updates on everything global happening at UD.