Written by Patty Bessie (Columbia University), Student Correspondent for CET Florence, Spring 2024
As a first-generation, low-income college student, studying abroad felt like an impossible dream—something only wealthy students could afford. Yet, here I am, spending a semester in the beautiful city of Florence, Italy. If you’re in a similar position, let me reassure you: studying abroad is possible, even on a tight budget. Here’s how I made it happen, and how you can too.
Step 1: Meet with Financial Aid and Study Abroad Advisors
The first step is to understand your financial aid options. I recommend scheduling a meeting with both your financial aid office and study abroad advisor. These appointments can be done early—starting as a freshman, if you can—and will provide valuable information on how financial aid works for study abroad programs. For example, I attend Columbia University and receive a full-ride scholarship through QuestBridge, which I learned travels with you for academic year study abroad programs (note: summer programs are not eligible for aid).
By simply meeting with my financial aid and study abroad advisors, I confirmed that studying abroad in Florence was a feasible option for me. Be sure to ask about how your aid will transfer and whether you can use it during your study abroad semester. In my case, I learned that I could use my financial aid if I studied abroad during the fall or spring terms.
Step 2: Research the Cost of Living
The next thing you should do is research the cost of living in your study abroad destination. For instance, studying in Latin America is often cheaper than studying in the United Kingdom. In my case, studying in Florence is actually more affordable than living in New York. A cappuccino here costs just €2.50, while in NYC, it would easily cost double that!
Understanding the cost of living in your destination will help you estimate your day-to-day expenses. Keep in mind that while some cities may seem expensive, others could be more affordable than your current location.
Step 3: Apply for Outside Scholarships
Even if your financial aid package covers your essential expenses—like tuition, housing, and meals—you might still need extra money for activities like weekend trips, eating out, or buying souvenirs. To help with these costs, I applied for several outside scholarships, and I highly recommend you do the same.
Here are the scholarships I applied for:
- CET Program Scholarships: CET offers a range of scholarships, and I was awarded their need-based scholarship, which reduced my homestay fees by $1,000.
- Fund for Education Abroad: I won a $5,000 scholarship, which I immediately put into my high-yield savings account for travel and other personal expenses.
- Ling Learning Beyond Borders Scholarship: I received $1,000 along with lifetime access to their language learning platform, which I’ve been using to practice Italian.
In total, I secured $7,000 in scholarships, in addition to my Columbia financial aid. These funds gave me the flexibility to enjoy extra activities and travel while abroad.
Step 4: Be Prepared for Upfront Costs
One thing I didn’t realize before studying abroad was that some costs are upfront, and you’ll have to pay for them before you receive your financial aid reimbursements. For instance, I had to cover the costs of my student visa, including the visa application, passport photos, and mailing fees—around $70. Additionally, many study abroad programs, including CET, require a deposit to secure your spot. These deposits are usually about $500 and are applied to your total program cost.
Thankfully, CET has a financial aid disbursement form, which allowed me to defer my deposit payment until later, once my financial aid was processed. I strongly suggest asking your program if they offer similar flexibility.
Also, don’t forget about other necessary purchases, such as a new suitcase (if you don’t already own one) and adaptors for European outlets. These smaller costs can add up!
Step 5: Plan Ahead and Start Early
Studying abroad takes time to prepare for, so it’s important to start early. Many schools have specific requirements for study abroad eligibility. For example, students at Columbia must have completed most of their core curriculum and be in good academic standing before they can apply. Knowing this, I was able to prioritize finishing the core curriculum in my freshman and sophomore years in order to be on track to studying abroad. Again, meeting with your study abroad office can clarify these requirements for your specific home institution.
By starting early, you’ll also have more time to save money and apply for scholarships. The earlier you begin, the smoother the process will be, and you’ll have time to navigate any unexpected hurdles that might come up along the way.
Final Thoughts
Studying abroad on a budget is totally doable—it just takes some planning and research. Here’s a quick recap of what you should do:
- Meet with your financial aid office and study abroad coordinator to understand how your aid works for studying abroad.
- Research the cost of living in your study abroad location to better plan your budget.
- Apply for outside scholarships to help cover additional costs or to provide extra spending money.
- Understand upfront costs for things like visas, flights, and program deposits, and ask about financial aid disbursements to help manage those costs.
- Start early so you have plenty of time to save and meet any program requirements.
With the right planning and support, you’ll be on your way to studying abroad in no time. Good luck, and don’t be afraid to ask for help along the way!