Be the First!
First
generation students are the first in their family to attend college or
university. It takes courage and determination to be first! DePaul Study Abroad
is here to help first generation students navigate and locate helpful
resources to pursue an international study experience during their academic
career.
We
understand that first generation students may face a distinct set of challenges
when it comes to studying abroad, but our aim is to inspire you to enhance
your academic experience as you pursue your degree.
Did you and your family know…
- According to a study by the Institute for International
Education, less than 10% of American college graduates have studied abroad. You
could become a member of this elite group!
- Students
who study abroad tend to have higher GPA’s and GRADUATE ON TIME.
- Students
who study abroad are typically hired by employers within six months of
graduating.
- Students
who study abroad tend to earn a higher annual salary than their non-study
abroad peers.
- Study Abroad is an investment. There is evidence of direct
economic benefit to study abroad students post-graduation.
Share these facts with your
family and friends. You can help them better understand the benefits of study
abroad and why you are considering an international learning experience. It is
helpful for family and friends to understand how important studying abroad is
so they can provide support and encouragement to you in pursuing these goals.
Selecting a Program
We recommend choosing a DePaul
sponsored study abroad program because all current financial aid and
scholarships you receive will remain in place. DePaul-sponsored
scholarships are available for students studying abroad, with specific scholarship funding available for
first generation students. Apply for scholarships at the same time
that you apply for a study abroad program.
If
you are interested in a Non-DePaul
study abroad program, you can still receive federal financial aid, but will
need to apply to external
scholarships.
Cost
Study
Abroad does not have to be expensive! The cost of study abroad at DePaul is
tuition plus a program fee. Tuition is billed at your regular DePaul
tuition rate based on the number of credits enrolled. Program
fees vary across short-term and term-long programs. Be sure to search for affordable programs or cost-effective programs, where you get the most “bang for your buck”!
Location
Location!
Location! Location! The destination matters!
You
may want to choose a city or country overseas that has a lower cost of living
than here in Chicago. It can be cheaper to live in certain places around the
world than in the U.S. Keep in mind different currencies used and currency
conversion rates. Also, try to find a program where it may be possible to work
abroad in a part-time job in an effort to continue earning money while on a
study abroad program.
Academic Fit
Explore
which types of courses are offered on study abroad programs. Certain programs
may be better tailored to students with certain majors and minors. A study
abroad advisor can help you find a program that offers courses to fulfill your
academic degree requirements. This way, you can study abroad and still graduate
on time. Leave electives open and liberal studies domain courses open, in an
effort to take these types of courses abroad.
Financing a Program
Apply
for DePaul
Sponsored Scholarships
DePaul
Study Abroad sponsors the Students of Color Scholarship, First-Generation Scholarship,
Term-long Scholarship, Short-Term Scholarship, First Year Abroad Scholarship,
and Halstead Scholarship. Remember to apply for the DePaul sponsored
scholarship at the same time that you apply for your study abroad program. The
deadlines to apply for the program and the scholarship are the same.
Scholarship application deadlines will not be extended.
Apply
for External
Scholarships
It
is important to hunt for funds that may be available in scholarships
nationwide. Use study abroad scholarship databases in which you can search for
funding based on a variety of criteria. There are destination-based
scholarships, heritage-based scholarships, language-based scholarships, area
studies scholarships and even corporate scholarships that may help to fund your
study abroad program.
Start
Crowdfunding
More
students are finding ways to collect funds to help them study abroad, including
the use of online crowdfunding. Students have started fundraising campaigns on
websites (like gofundme.org) in which they reach out to social, familial,
religious and other communities to which they belong. Students are able to
galvanize family, friends and community members in an effort to support their
academic goals. When you give others a chance to help you reach your dreams,
you might be surprised at how much the people who care about you want to see
you succeed.
Consider
Personal / Private Loans
We
understand that most first generation students work part-time or even full- time
jobs – and often need to cover the cost of a study abroad program with
financial assistance from private loans. We know that this is often the last
resort to finance an international study program, but in the case that a
private loan can help, it is important to seek out a family member to serve as
a co-signer on a personal loan. The benefit of taking out a private loan, is
that you can build your personal credit history by paying off these loans over
time – thereby demonstrating that you are a good financial borrower.
Use
a Budget worksheet
Use
the Study
Abroad Budget Worksheet to help you plan your budget and compare total costs
across programs. Look carefully to see what is included in the study abroad
program fee and ask your Study Abroad Advisor if you have questions.
Contact
a Financial Aid Counselor
If you need assistance calculating the cost of
your study abroad, please contact a Financial Aid Counselor. Also, the
financial office aid may offer foreign travel grants to students with a valid
FAFSA on file.
Resources
On-campus:
Please reach out to the Study Abroad office to discuss any questions or concerns you may have regarding studying abroad. We may also be able to connect you with previous study abroad participants to discuss the specifics of the program you are interested in.
Additional:
- AllAbroad.us is a great resource for funding advice, outreach materials and study abroad advice specifically written with first-generation students in mind.
- Diversity Abroad provides tips for first-generation students on how to best prepare for studying abroad; this includes advice, scholarship information, student testimonials and more.
- First Generation Student is a great website for first-generation students in general, but they also feature student testimonials from study abroad programs.
- Global Scholars offers online modules for study abroad courses—pre-departure, while abroad and return.
Contact Us
For next steps, email DePaul
Study Abroad at abroad@depaul.edu or
call us at 312-362-6962.