Financing Your Study Abroad Experience
Typically, students (and parents!) feel some anxiety when thinking about financing a semester abroad. However, there are options through financial aid, or the special scholarship opportunities that exist to help finance this experience.
Canisius Study Abroad Finance Information
As a matriculated student at Canisius University, in most cases all scholarships, grants, and loans will be applied to the cost of the student's study abroad program. The Student Financial Aid Office will help determine expenses and present funding solutions. During the semester prior to going abroad, all study abroad students are required to meet with an associate in the Student Records and Financial Services Office located in Science Hall. Study abroad students must also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students who commute to college will have their financial aid packages re-evaluated to determine whether there is any additional eligibility for aid based on the room and board estimates for the semester abroad. While borrowing large amounts of private alternative loans or PLUS loans is not generally recommended as a financing strategy, studying abroad is seen as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Studies indicate that employers identify job candidates with study abroad experience on their resume as more desirable, truly making it an investment in your future.
Canisius Study Abroad Scholarships for Academic Year 2025/2026
The following scholarships are those offered to Canisius students only. Study abroad students must be accepted first in order to apply for the scholarships. Each scholarship has unique requirements. The costs below are the amount allotted for each semester. If you would like to be considered for a scholarship, you must:
- Complete the online application.
- Submit a 2-3 page paper based on the prompt listed below.
- An additional recommendation.
Endowed scholarships
Endowed Scholarships are only for study abroad programs.
Jerry Neuner Scholarship Fund: up to $2,500
This scholarship fund will be directly applied to the student's Canisius account.
Eligibility: Open to all Canisius study abroad students.
Application Materials:
- Applicants must submit a 2-3 page double spaced essay addressing how this scholarship will help achieve your learning, professional, academic, and personal goals. Additionally, explain how this experience will enhance your cultural competency towards becoming a global citizen.
Ray and Anne HErmann Scholarship: up to $4,700
Eligibility:
Applicants must be accepted to study abroad at the University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia.
Application Materials:
- Applicants must submit a 2-3 page double spaced essay addressing why Australia is their location of choice and how this scholarship will help achieve your learning, professional, academic, and personal goals. Additionally, explain how this experience will enhance your cultural competency towards becoming a global citizen.
Julia R. L. Wescott, PhD Study Abroad Scholarship: up to $1,250
Eligibility:
Applicants must be studying abroad in Oviedo, Spain, preference towards Spanish majors and minors.
- Full-time undergraduate students in good academic standing currently attending Canisius University
Application Materials:
Applicants must submit a 2-3 page double spaced essay addressing the importance of the Spanish language, culture, and identity. How would this experience facilitate your growth with the Spanish language and how will it benefit you in your future and long-term career goals?
Frank Sparcino MS '15 Family Scholarship: Up to $1,150
Eligibility: The student must be in good academic standing and have significant financial need.
Applicants must submit a 2-3 page double spaced essay addressing how this scholarship would help you achieve your academic, professional, and personal goals in the future. How will this study abroad opportunity enhance your cultural competency?
Eldon Sommer's Scholarships:
The Eldon Sommer's scholarships are dedicated to helping students who would not otherwise be able to afford study abroad assist with paying for these experiences without significant financial strain. Students with high financial need are prioritized. These funds are for both study abroad and faculty-led programs.
First Generation Scholarship
Study abroad: Up to $3,000 ; Faculty-Led: Up to $1,500
First-Generation college students have a more difficult time adjusting to college due to a lack of resources from their parents/guardians who did not go to college. Moreover, opportunities like study abroad and travel may not have been a possibility throughout their life. This scholarship would bring opportunities to students without these resources.
- Write a 2-3 page double spaced essay on how being a first-generation college student impacts this study abroad opportunity and what it will mean to you to be the first in your family to have this experience.
Modern Languages Scholarship:
Study Abroad: Up to $2,500 ; Faculty-Led: up to $2,000
This scholarship would be dedicated to students who are interested in enhancing/improving their language skills. The student must go to a non-English speaking country. Language majors/minors preferred.
- One goal of the program is to encourage students to go to more diverse locations and enhance their language skills. Language skills significantly improve a student’s career marketability.
- Write a 2-3 page double spaced essay on how you will use your improved language skills in the future.
Cultural Immersion Scholarship
Study Abroad: Up to $2,500 ; Faculty-Led: up to $2,000
This scholarship would be dedicated to students who are interested in expanding their cultural awareness and becoming a global citizen by going to non-European/Western countries (with the exception of Spain).
The CIE encourages students to explore more diverse locations than the traditional study abroad locations or, non-western nations. Students exploring cultures that are much different from the Western world challenges them to increase cultural competency, open-mindedness, and enhance non-English language skills.
Write a 2-3 page double spaced essay on how this non-Western cultural immersion will benefit your journey to becoming a global citizen.
Eldon Sommer’s Scholarship:
Study Abroad: Up to $3,000 ; Faculty-Led: up to $1,500
This scholarship is dedicated to students who have the highest financial need, typically international students, PELL/TAP grant recipients, etc.
- A general financial scholarship open to all students with significant need and open to any partner institutes and provides more flexibility for a variety of students.
Write a 2-3 page double spaced essay on how these funds would help support your experience and growth through study abroad. Discuss your goals and how you want to improve not just academically, but personally.
How to Apply:
Deadlines:
Fall 2025 Study Abroad Students: June 15
Fall 2025 Faculty-Led Programs: October 15
Spring and Summer 2026 Study Abroad Programs: October 15
Spring and Summer 2026 Faculty-Led Programs: February 1
Application Process
Link to application: https://forms.gle/FV4oaVBx5idzsKct7
Link to recommendation form: https://forms.gle/kMiw3QkPEujFneem8