Current Students»International Programs

Funding Opportunities for International Programs

Annenberg International Programs (AIP) understands that funding study abroad can be a challenge, but with proper preparation and knowledge of financial resources, a study abroad dream can become a reality.

On this page we cover the following topics:

  • Understanding the Estimated Program Costs
  • Study Abroad with USC Financial Aid
  • Scholarship and Grant Opportunities

Understanding the Estimated Program Costs

Each semester the AIP calculates the estimated costs of each program based on information from the program partner (e.g. housing) and other sources. As such, the estimated costs are not guaranteed and may vary significantly from student to student.

Below is an example of the estimated cost breakdown for a program.

LONDON (Spring 2019)
Tuition: $27,660
Program Fees: $3,850
Housing: $6,527
USC Overseas Health Insurance*: $1,311
The tuition, program fees, housing, and USC Overseas Health Insurance are all MANDATORY fees that every student must pay.
*Please note: If a student is already enrolled in USC (domestic) Health Insurance there will be no additional charge for USC Overseas Health Insurance; students will be charged the domestic, on-campus rate (noted above). If a student is normally covered otherwise and waives out of USC Health Insurance on campus, students will be charged USC Overseas Health Insurance at a rate of $97/month (2018-2019 rate).

Round Trip Airfare: $1,800
Personal Expenses (food, entertainment, weekend travel, etc.): $5,500
Additional Expenses (books and supplies, international student identity card, US passport): $332
The round trip airfare, personal expenses, and additional expense are all estimated costs. Some of our alumni have been able to strategize and spend much less than the estimated costs in these sections.

ESTIMATED TOTAL: $46,980
This is the number AIP will send over to the Financial Aid Office for all accepted students.

Study Abroad with USC Financial Aid

Financial aid that a student currently receives from USC can be applied to the cost of semester-long international programs for up to two semesters abroad.

Each semester, AIP sends an estimated cost of attendance to the USC Financial Aid Office for all students accepted into a study abroad program. The USC Financial Aid Office adjusts all applicable student financial aid packages based on the cost of attendance for their respective program. While financial aid, including scholarships, grants, loans, and tuition assistance benefits are transferrable to semester-long study abroad programs, the amount of aid is adjusted based on the program-specific cost of attendance. Programs vary in cost and range from significantly less than a semester on campus to significantly more.

Programs with a higher cost of attendance than a semester at USC:

The cost of attendance for some programs (e.g. London or Rome) may exceed that of a standard USC semester. In this case, students may either qualify for more aid or be eligible to apply for additional loans through the Financial Aid Office to cover the added costs. With these budget adjustments, it is important to note:

  • ​No additional grants (including federal, state or university) will be awarded to cover program costs that exceed the standard on-campus USC budget.
  • Students cannot receive work-study funds while they are studying abroad. Work-study funds will be replaced by additional loan eligibility.

If your expenses abroad are greater than those listed on the estimated cost of attendance, you may submit a budget appeal to the Financial Aid Office. Once they receive your appeal with documentation of your increased costs, they may adjust your budget accordingly.

Programs with a lower cost of attendance than a semester at USC:

The cost of attendance for some programs (e.g. Auckland or Sydney) may be less than that of a standard USC semester (usually due to the lower tuition rates). In this case, some types of financial aid may actually be reduced. The lower estimated cost of attendance of these programs can reduce the following types of aid in descending order: ​

  1. University Grants
  2. Work-Study (work-study cannot be used overseas)
  3. Loans

Students receiving USC Merit Scholarships that only cover tuition (such as the Presidential and Trustee) may receive the same dollar amount they would receive at USC, as long as the awards are applied to tuition only. ​USC Merit Scholarships will not be applied to any administrative fees charged by the overseas program.

For example, if you have a Presidential award (a USC half-tuition award) of $13,830 per semester and your tuition for Rome is $27,660, you can receive $13,830 toward the overseas tuition cost.

If you receive a Presidential award of $13,830 (USC half-tuition award) per semester and your tuition for the Sydney program is $10,375, you will only receive $10,375 toward the overseas tuition cost. 

Non-credit bearing or Programs 6 units or less:

Programs that do not offer course credit (Thailand) or are 6 credits or less (ICS or Graduate Internships) are not eligible for Federal, State, and University Aid. The Financial Aid Office may be able to increase your Cost of Attendance to include additional costs incurred by such programs, but the increase can only be funded with private loans.

Any USC financial aid questions should be directed to the Financial Aid Office.

Scholarship and Grant Opportunities

Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism offers the following funding opportunities:

Bill Faith Endowment Scholarship
Only open to students accepted in the International Communication Studies Program. Multiple awards granted, up to $3,000.

Annenberg Student Success Fund 
For non-tuition expenses related to extra- or co-curricular programs and opportunities not covered by undergraduate or graduate student government. Multiple awards are granted, award amounts vary.

USC offers the following funding opportunities:

Study Abroad Grant
Open to USC undergraduate students who are participating in study abroad programs offered at USC. There is no guarantee this grant will be offered annually. Multiple awards granted, up to $2,000.

Global Scholars Distinction
Undergraduate students who’ve spent more than 10 weeks abroad and meet eligibility requirements may apply for the Global Scholars Distinction after they’ve completed their program. Multiple awards granted up to $10,000 and must be applied toward Graduate Study.

​Non-USC scholarship and grant opportunities:

TEAN Scholarships
The Education Abroad Network offers several scholarships. Eligible students participating on our Auckland program may apply.​Multiple awards are granted, award amounts vary.

Education New Zealand
A scholarship program sponsored by Education New Zealand and New Zealand tertiary institutions for undergraduate students. Eligible students participating in our Auckland program may apply. Multiple awards are granted, up to $2,000 for the travel award and $500 for the Excellence Award.

UNSW Scholarships
University of New South Wales offers a number of scholarship opportunities. Eligible students participating in the Sydney program may apply. Award amounts vary.

Freeman Asia Scholarship
A scholarship program for undergraduate students that participate in a program based in Southeast Asia and demonstrate high financial need. Eligible students participating in our Hong Kong program may apply. Multiple awards granted, up to $5,000.

Gilman Scholarship
A grant program for undergraduate students that participate in a semester-long program and demonstrate financial need. Students must receive Federal Pell Grant. Multiple awards granted, up to $5,000.

IIE Generation Study Abroad Travel Grants
A scholarship program for undergraduate students that participate in a summer or semester-long program and demonstrate financial need. Multiple awards granted, up to $2,000.

The Fund for Education Abroad
A scholarship program for undergraduate students that participate in a semester-long or summer program and demonstrate financial need. Multiple awards granted, up to $5,000.

FEA/STA Start the Adventure Scholarship
A scholarship program for undergraduate students that participate in a summer program. Eligible applicants may be awarded $2,500, and in turn, a STA Travel Advisor Award of $2,500 will be granted to the study abroad department of these FEA/STA Travel Start the Adventure Scholarship recipients, in order for the department to strategically fund another student participating on a study abroad program in the same academic year.

Rainbow Scholarship
A scholarship program for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) undergraduate students participating on a summer or semester-long program. To be considered, applicants must self-identify. Multiple awards granted, up to $10,000.

Explore the World
A scholarship program sponsored by Hostel International for current or former Federal Pell Grant recipients who pursue an educational opportunity outside of the United States. Award up to $2,000.

Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship
A scholarship program for undergraduate students that participate in a semester-long program. Award up to $1,000.

Scott's Cheap Flights Study Abroad Scholarship
The Scott’s Cheap Flights Study Abroad Scholarship is open to any citizen and/or resident of the United States (and its territories and possessions) is enrolled full-time at an accredited institution of higher learning.

Greenheart's First Time Travelers Scholarship
Greenheart Travel provides scholarship grants to individuals who are “first-time travelers” and have the desire for travel and cultural immersion.

Hispanic Scholarship Fund
A scholarship program designed to assist students of Hispanic heritage to obtain a college degree. Multiple awards granted, up to $5,000. 

National Association of Hispanic Journalists
A scholarship program for college undergraduates and graduate students pursuing careers in English or Spanish-language print, broadcast, digital or photojournalism. Multiple awards granted, amounts range from $1,500 – $5,000.

Native American Journalists Association
A scholarship program for undergraduate juniors, seniors or graduate students pursuing a degree in digital media/ journalism/ communications with a commitment to storytelling as demonstrated by completed coursework and clips/work samples. Multiple awards granted, up to $10,000.

The Association of LGBTQ Journalists
Scholarship opportunities for students working from within the news industry to foster fair and accurate coverage of LGBTQ issues. Multiple awards granted, amount varies. 

Asian American Journalists Association
A scholarship program for undergraduates pursuing a career in journalism and media. Multiple awards granted, amount varies. 

Al Young Sports Journalism Scholarship
A scholarship program designed to specifically help Asian American/Pacific Islander students interested in sports reporting or other sports media-related professions. Multiple awards granted, up to $2,000. 

The LAGRANT Foundation
A scholarship program for ethnic minority undergraduate students majoring in the fields of advertising, marketing or public relations. Multiple awards granted, up to $2,500.

Girls* Who Illustrate Awesomeness Scholarship
A scholarship program administered by Next Day Animations for young women (*or gender non-conforming individuals) of color who are actively working to change the world. Award amount $750. 

Alliance for Women in Media
A scholarship database for women pursuing careers in media. Multiple awards granted, amount varies.

Go Overseas
A scholarship database and program administered by Go Overseas. Multiple awards granted, amount varies. 

Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter Scholarship Fund
The SCSF grants multiple awards to motivated yet underserved youth and young adults. The grant can be used to cover tuition expenses and related supplemental educational expenses such as books, lab fees, travel and select costs of living. All Shawn Carter Scholars are required to “give back” by conducting community service and by serving as mentors to younger, aspiring Shawn Carter Scholars.

Go Overseas and New Zealand Education
Go Overseas partnered with ThinkNEW (New Zealand Education) to provide a scholarship for a full semester tuition and a round trip flight. 

InternationalStudent.com 
An online resource for international students that hosts a travel video contest. Award up to $4,000. 

Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA)
A fellowship and scholarship database with thousands of international-related funding opportunities.

Phi Theta Kappa
A scholarship database for members and non-members. Multiple awards granted, amount varies. 

Fastweb
A free scholarship database that connects you to thousands of scholarship opportunities.

Scholarship.com
A free scholarship database that connects you to thousands of scholarship opportunities.

Fundmytravel
A crowdfunding platform designed specifically for individuals who want to study, work, intern, or travel abroad.