Student Support

Study Abroad Scholarships

 

Financial aid

If you are an SMC student planning to study abroad through SMC, the financial aid application steps are the same as if you were studying on campus.

However, it is particularly important that you complete your financial aid application early so funds will be available to you before you go abroad. The amount and type of aid will vary depending on the program type and your individual aid package.

Scholarships

There are numerous scholarship and aid opportunities available to help you fund your study abroad program.

SMC Scholarship

Global Citizenship Scholarship 
The Global Citizenship (GC) Scholarship assists students toward the program cost based on financial need.  This scholarship is part of your application to an SMC study abroad program, which means that when you're filling out an application to study abroad, you will be asked if you'd like to be considered for the scholarship.

The GC scholarship is made up of various funding sources, which include: 

- Art Verge Study Abroad Scholarship: Inspired by his love of people, cultures, and travel, Dr. Verge helped pioneer SMC's Study Abroad program, opening minds and the world of immersive travel to thousands of students during a four decade tenure teaching popular classes in California and Latin American history. In honor of his legacy, Art's Table and the Verge family in partnership with the SMC Foundation, established the Art Verge Study Abroad Scholarship in 2014, a commitment to helping shape future global citizens and offset the cost of travel for students participating in SMC's study abroad programs. 

-WorldStrides Scholarship: Through our partnership with WorldStrides, SMC receives funding it redirects to students to help them pay for their travels.

To be eligible to apply for the GC Scholarship, you must meet the following criteria:

    • Demonstrate financial need for the scholarship by having a finalized FAFSA or CalDREAM application on file with the Financial Aid office.
    • Be a full-time student as Santa Monica College enrolled in 12 units in the current semester, whether it is fall or spring, or a part-time at Santa Monica College student enrolled in a minimum of 6 units during the previous semester and 6 units during the current semester or 3 units in an intersession term (summer or winter) and 9 units in the current semester.
    • Be an Associated Students (A.S.) member.
    • Be in good disciplinary standing and academic standing.
    • Must have a minimum of 6 semester college credits completed at SMC or another U.S. college or university. If semester credits are completed at another college or university, please email your transcript from the school to studyabroad@smc.edu.
    • Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 for courses completed at SMC or another U.S. college or university. If your GPA is from another college or university, please email your transcript from the school to studyabroad@smc.edu.

 Students who receive a scholarship will be notified via their SMC email and will need to confirm their acceptance of the scholarship. Upon returning from their trip abroad, scholarship recipients will also be asked to complete a post-study abroad assignment (e.g., a short essay about their time abroad, speaking about their time abroad at an informational study abroad session). 

Other Scholarships for Study Abroad

  1. Fund for Education Abroad Scholarships: Open to U.S. citizen, permanent resident and DACA undergraduate students who are receiving the Federal Pell Grant (multiple scholarships available)
    • Awards up to $5,000
    • Deadline: September 18, 2024
  2. Gilman Scholarship: Open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are receiving the Federal Pell Grant
    • Awards up to $5,000
    • Deadlines: August 2024 & October 2024 
  3. Gilman-McCain Scholarship: Open to U. S. citizen undergraduate students who are children or the spouse of active or activated United States military personnel during the time of the application
    • Awards up to $5,000
    • Deadlines: August 2024 & October 2024
  4. Hi USA Explore the World Scholarship: Open to U.S. citizen, permanent resident undergraduate students who are receiving the Federal Pell Grant.
    • Awards up to $2,000
    • Application opens fall 2024 (travel must occur after March 2025)
  5. WorldStrides Custom Programs Scholarship: Open to all students participating in an SMC study abroad program
    • Awards up to $3,000
    • Deadlines:
      • Spring departure: January 1 - April 31 → November 15 deadline
      • Summer departure: May 1 - August 30 → March 15 deadline
      • Fall departure: September 1 - December 31 → July 15 deadline
Funding Your Travels

FundMy Travel is a fundraising website for studying abroad.

Download this guide for fundraising ideas.