SFS FINANCIAL AID INFORMATION
The School for Field Studies (SFS) awards over $180,000 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 individually named scholarships. SFS also thanks the Merck Family Foundation for helping to create a zero-interest, revolving loan program. SFS aid is awarded on a first come, first served 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 are encouraged to apply for financial aid as early as possible.
Please choose the appropriate financial aid application to download:
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Please meet with a financial aid administrator at your home institution to discuss your intent to participate in an SFS program. 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 10 business days of acceptance to an SFS program:
1. SFS Financial Aid Application: to be completed by the student.
2. Home Institution Financial Aid Administrator Form: you are responsible for meeting with your administrator and for submitting the form along with your SFS Financial Aid Application.
SCHOLARSHIPS ELIGIBILITY
SFS General Scholarship Fund: awards are need-based. All SFS students are eligible to apply. Maximum $5,000 for semester; $2,000 for summer.
Andreas Family Foundation Scholarship: awards are need-based. Eligibility is limited to students attending U.S. public institutions and is for semester programs only. Maximum award $6,000. Andreas Family Fund Scholarship Application Deadlines: October 15 for spring programs; March 15 for fall programs.
SFS Travel Grants: 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 Kenya and Australia programs, where the cost of airfare is significantly higher than other SFS programs.
Heather Jo Leibowitz Memorial Scholarship for Kenya - $1,000
Awards are need-based and available only to students on the Kenya program. In remembrance of Heather, preference will be given to students who have a commitment to making a difference in the lives of resource dependent communities in Kenya.
Erin L. Bergstrom Memorial Scholarship
Awards are need-based and available only to students at the University of San Diego. Preference will be given to students who have both a commitment to preservation of the environment, and have demonstrated leadership skills at the University or in their communities.
Fountain Scholarship
This scholarship provides tuition assistance to those SFS applicants who (a) have spent the substantial part of their childhood and teenage years growing up in an urban/city environment (whether in the U.S. or internationally); (b) demonstrate financial need; and (c) demonstrate a commitment and concern for environmental issues. This scholarship is made possible by the generosity of SFS alumnus and noted film director of The Fountain, Darren Aronofsky.
McKee Scholarship
This endowed scholarship was made possible by the generosity of Charles D. McKee, a member of the SFS Board of Trustees and father of SFS alumnae Heidi and Nina McKee. It is awarded on an annual basis to a financially deserving student attending any SFS summer or semester program.
SFS Employee Scholarship
This scholarship is funded by donations from SFS current and former employees and is awarded to financially deserving students who embody the dedication and commitment to the environment that SFS employees value in their day to day work and personal lives.
Additional Scholarships (non-SFS)
LOANS (optional)
Zero Interest Loans
Created through the generosity of the Merck Family Foundation. 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.
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 an application or more information on how to qualify for assistance, please call the SFS admissions office at 1.800.989.4418.
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 10 days of acceptance to qualify for refund status on the registration fee and deposit.
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