The School for Field Studies (SFS) awards over $300,000 in need-based scholarships each year with roughly one third of SFS students receiving some type of aid. For most of these students study abroad would not be possible without financial assistance. SFS greatly appreciates the support of our alumni and other generous donors who make this possible through their contributions to the SFS general scholarship fund and endowed scholarships.
SFS also offers a zero-interest, revolving loan program. SFS aid is awarded on a first come, first serve basis and is subject to the availability of funds. The quality of the information provided by a student is critical to the proper assessment and subsequent award of any aid. Financial aid applications must be complete and are not reviewed until a student has been accepted to an SFS program; however, students should apply for financial aid as early as possible.
Many applicants receive aid through their home schools or other outside sources. You may qualify for SFS assistance even if you are not receiving aid from your home school.
If you will need financial assistance in order to participate, we strongly encourage you to complete an SFS financial aid application as soon as possible. Financial aid applications are reviewed following acceptance. For more information on how to qualify for assistance, please call the SFS admissions office at 800.989.4418.
Semester Students: A growing number of schools allow students to take institutional financial aid off-campus. Check with your financial aid office to see what aid you can apply to your SFS program. We encourage you to investigate applying for federal financial aid funds, including loans through your home school. Because the credits you earn for your SFS participation will, in all likelihood, be applied toward your degree, your school should be able to process a Stafford Loan to assist your SFS participation. If you encounter difficulty in arranging to use federal financial aid funds for your SFS program, please contact us and we will do our best to assist you.
You must complete and return the financial aid application within two weeks of acceptance to qualify for refund status on the deposit.
Application Instructions
Please meet with a financial aid administrator at your home institution to discuss your intent to study with SFS. Do not wait until you have been accepted to an SFS program as it may be too late to apply for aid. Only your home institution administrator can tell you what types of aid you are permitted to transfer to an SFS program and what you need to do in order to receive these funds.
It is your responsibility to understand the requirements and deadlines of your home institution regarding financial aid for study abroad. The administrator must sign the appropriate form in order for you to apply for SFS financial aid.
You must submit the following items within two weeks of acceptance to an SFS program:
1. SFS Financial Aid Application must be completed by the student
2. Home Institution Financial Aid Administrator Form (semester students only, not necessary for summer financial aid applications): You are responsible for meeting with your administrator and for submitting the form along with your SFS Financial Aid Application.
Scholarships
SFS General Scholarship Fund
These awards are need-based. All SFS students are eligible to apply. SFS awards as much as $8,000 in scholarship funds for semester programs and $4,000 for summer programs.
The Andreas Family Fund
Through the generosity of the Andreas family, we offer scholarships through the Andreas Family Scholarship Fund, which focuses on providing financial aid to students in US public schools who are academically eligible but may not be able to afford our programs. The Fund's goal is to reduce the barriers and broaden the range of students who participate in SFS programs.
SFS Travel Grants
These awards are need-based. A limited number of travel grants have been established to help offset the cost of travel to SFS programs. Preference will be given to those students participating in East Africa and Australia programs, where the cost of airfare is significantly higher than other SFS programs.
SFS Endowed Scholarships
If you believe you are eligible for a particular scholarship, please be sure to indicate which one and why in your financial aid application personal statement. Click here to learn more about the specific endowed scholarships.
Loans (optional)
Zero-Interest Loans
Zero-interest loans are made possible through the generosity of the Merck Family Fund. Semester loans must be repaid within two years and summer loans within one year of program completion.
Low-Interest Loans
This low-interest loan program is designed to assist semester students in bridging the gap between current financial resources and total program cost. This loan is set at a competitive market rate with manageable repayment terms.
SFS financial aid resources are subject to the availability of funds.
