Funding for First Year Abroad
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As you prepare for a first year abroad adventure, we know that you’re starting to get organized and planning your to-do list – and that includes understanding your financial options before you jet off.
Follow along as we detail a few different ways you can receive financial support for CIEE First Year Abroad!
How to Afford First Year Abroad
We want to make first year abroad programs as accessible as possible to students who wish to apply, and we understand that a big part of that goal is to offer financial support options.
Tuition, program, and enrollment fees for CIEE First Year Abroad start at $17,000, which is a more affordable option than most out-of-state school options for your first year of college. Make sure to take a closer look at the cost of a specific first year abroad program you’re interested in for exact pricing.
CIEE program fees for first year abroad programs cover a lot, including:
- Placement with a carefully-screened host family or local residence hall
- Online orientation before leaving the U.S. and in-person orientation upon arrival
- Supervision and support of local staff
- Pre-departure assistance
- CIEE-led educational trips and excursions
- International medical and travel insurance
- 24/7 support and counseling available to students and parents from CIEE headquarters staff
- Access to CIEE Alumni network
We’ve outlined a few different avenues to help you afford CIEE’s first year abroad programs, and as you consider your options, feel free to reach out to us if you have any remaining questions. We’re happy to help.
Option #1: Financial Aid
As you know by now, when you’re a CIEE First Year Abroad participant, you’ll also be enrolled as a student at our academic home and school of record, Dean College, located in Franklin, Massachusetts. So, as you apply to first year abroad, you’ll also be applying to college (like a regular freshman!).
You can fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) during the application process, which will assess your financial need, and if eligible, you’ll be awarded federal or state (if you’re a Massachusetts resident) aid that can apply to your first year abroad program.
In addition to any possible federal or state assistance, you can also apply for the Gilman Scholarship. The U.S. Department of State recognizes this scholarship as federal financial assistance and enables students of limited financial means to study abroad. And this includes CIEE First Year Abroad!
To apply, all you’ll need to do is upload the first page of your FAFSA Student Aid Report and proof of your CIEE application to the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.
Option #2: CIEE Discounts
When considering your financial options for first year abroad, peruse CIEE’s study abroad discount opportunities, too:
- Early Bird Discount: If you apply to your First Year Abroad program by the early application deadline, you’ll get $400 off your program! Discounts will be deducted from your final balance.
- Refer-a-Friend Rewards: Earn extra cash when you refer friends to CIEE
- Alumni Rewards: If you’ve studied abroad with CIEE, you’re eligible for money off your next CIEE program
Let’s take a closer look at how you can apply these discounts to your first year abroad program.
Early Bird Discount
If you apply early to your first year abroad program, by January 5, 2024, you’ll get $1,000 off your program in the fall! Discounts will be deducted from your final balance.
Refer-a-Friend Rewards
When you refer friends to CIEE, you can earn a $200 cash reward toward your upcoming trip, like first year abroad, and your friend will receive a $200 discount on their upcoming CIEE program, too!
All you need to do is log in to your MyCIEE account (the same account you use for your CIEE application) and then generate your own referral link to share on social media or send out via text message or email. You can then track your active referrals in your dashboard, and for each person who ends up traveling on a CIEE program, you’ll earn a $200 cash reward. So, if three friends decide to join in on an exciting first year abroad program, you’ll receive $600 towards your own program!
The Refer-a Friend program is open to everybody! Friends, family members, co-workers, a next-door neighbor – anyone who you think would benefit from an incredible international experience. And remember, CIEE offers a wide range of programs, including teach abroad, so you can refer people in all different stages of their academic and even professional careers.
Go Abroad Again
As part of our Alumni Rewards, we offer Go Abroad Again, an incredible way for past CIEE program participants to receive additional money off their next trip. So, if you traveled with CIEE in high school, you’re eligible for up to $1,500 off your first year abroad program!
This is extended to siblings of CIEE alumni, too – you can get the whole family traveling and deepening their global perspective!
Option #3: Fundraising Opportunities
You can also develop a unique plan to cover some of your first year abroad program expenses, like various jobs in your community or fundraising opportunities. You can even join forces with other student travelers. Check out just a few ways to make money or fundraise for your global education cause:
- Babysit
- Pet sit or dog walk
- Mow lawns or do yard work
- Wash windows
- Car wash
- Hold a bake sale with an international twist
- Host a yard sale
- Sell gently used clothing or other items you’re willing to part with online
- Be a “user tester” for websites
- Help a local business or charity with their digital or administrative needs
- Tutor elementary or middle school students
- Teach English as a second language online
And tons more!
For alumni-proven fundraising tips, download the Student Fundraising Toolkit
Thinking about the cost of your first year abroad program can be overwhelming. But don’t let it deter you. With financial aid, discount options, and fundraising opportunities, you can make your study abroad dream a reality with CIEE.