OXFORD,
\nMiss. – Scholarship deadlines are approaching, and the University of
\nMississippi Office of Study Abroad is hosting an information session
\nnoon-1 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 10) in the Student Union to discuss financial
\naid opportunities for students hoping to spend summer and fall
\nsemesters abroad.<\/p>\n
Scholarship opportunities range from small stipends to larger awards covering tuition, travel expenses or both.
\nDuring
\nthe 2007-2008 academic year, nearly 700 Ole Miss students studied
\nabroad, and a significant percentage of them received some sort of
\nscholarship or financial aid. For the fall 2008 semester, 50 percent of
\nUM students studying abroad received a scholarship.<\/p>\n
Thirty-one
\npercent of students receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in the May 2008
\ngraduation participated in at least one Study Abroad program while
\nenrolled at UM. Programs range from two weeks to two semesters.<\/p>\n
The
\noffice coordinates more than 50 different scholarships, many of which
\nhave multiple recipients. Besides these, the number of exchange options
\nhas transformed the concept of studying abroad into an option for
\naverage students. Financial aid and Pell grant money can be applied
\ntowards a semester abroad, often at the price of regular UM tuition.
\n
Study Abroad Advisor Blair McElroy said her office has great luck in placing UM students with highly competitive awards, including the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.<\/p>\n
“Nearly 100 percent of our applicants have received it,” she said. <\/p>\n
The Gilman scholarship is an award of up to $5,000 for international study. During the 2008-2009 academic year, five Ole Miss students received Gilman scholarships to study at partner universities in Japan, China, Australia and Russia. More than 1,200 awards were given nationwide last year. The deadline to apply for a Gilman scholarship is April 7. <\/p>\n
Ole Miss senior Alicia Ragsdale, who received a Gilman during the last academic year, used the funds to spend the fall semester at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia.<\/p>\n
“I never dreamed spending a semester abroad would forever alter the way I view the world,” Ragsdale said. “The time spent embracing a foreign culture is one that is not only irreplaceable, but also unparalleled. Receiving the Gilman scholarship allowed
\nme the make the most of this incredible adventure.”<\/p>\n
Applicants must fill out a Study Abroad application and submit a statement of purpose for most awards. All candidates are considered on the basis of financial need and academic merit. To be eligible, students must have a current FAFSA on file with the financial aid office. <\/p>\n
Other competitive scholarships available include:
\n– The Rose Bui Memorial Scholarship: An award for students interested in studying in Asia. Award recipients are selected based on their academic merit and essay and receive $1,000 for semester study or $500 for short-term study.
\n– David L. Boren Scholarship: A scholarship for undergraduate students that provides up to $10,000 for a semester abroad and $20,000 for an academic year.
\n– Northwest Airlines World Travel Scholarship: A scholarship that provides travel funds for six UM students each academic year. Students awarded the scholarship receive a round-trip airline ticket to any city served by Northwest Airlines, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines or KLM cityhopper.
\n– IFSA-Butler: A partial scholarship to help fund students’ study abroad experience. Award recipients receive $500 for the summer, $1,000 for a semester, or $2,000 for a full year.
\n– Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships: A large grant that finances a three-month trip for $12,000 or six-month trip for $17,000. <\/p>\n
For more information on the Office of Study Abroad and scholarship opportunities visit: http:\/\/www.outreach.olemiss.edu\/study?abroad\/<\/a> .<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"