Financial Aid & Scholarships

Affording Semester at Sea

We recognize that a study abroad experience is a significant investment-and also know it's one of the best possible investments for a student's future.

We are committed to helping as many students as possible realize the benefits of that goal. About 40% of Semester at Sea participants receive ISE scholarships or work grants each year.

ISE awards $2.6 million in financial aid annually. To be eligible, students do not necessarily need to qualify for standard forms of financial aid (such as Pell Grants) on their home campuses. Applicants are strongly encouraged to file the FAFSA and submit the Student Aid Report to ISE along with tax returns from the most recent tax year and any supplemental information that might be helpful in our review.

For thousands of students, financial aid has helped to make their Semester at Sea voyage a reality.

Testimonials

"I cannot put into words how much it means to me to have received this scholarship; because of this, I can go on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure."

—Ashlee Giardi, Spring 2007
University of Colorado, Boulder

"Thank you... for making the voyage affordable. I cannot wait to travel the world, and this is by far the best opportunity I will probably ever have."

—Matt Barrett, Spring 2007
Presbyterian College