Financial Aid & Scholarships

Short-Term 2012

• Financial Aid Deadline: March 28, 2012
• Award Notification: April 6, 2012

Summer 2012

• Financial Aid Deadline: March 2, 2012
• Award Notification: March 23, 2012

Presidential Scholars

Presidential Scholars: The Semester at Sea Presidential Scholars program was developed to identify and support extremely high-achieving students wishing to enhance their global perspective and better understand their vital role as a global citizen. These students are expected to understand and further the mission of ISE before, during, and after their participation in the program.

Scholars will be selected based on academic achievement at their home institution and leadership qualities shown on campus and in their local community.

Presidential Scholarship applications are due approximately one month prior to the general ISE financial aid application deadline. Check the important dates page for specifics.

Download the Presidential Scholars Application

Need-Based Grants

Need-Based Grants These grants are awarded by the Institute for Shipboard Education to help make the program a reality for all students regardless of financial status. Awards range from $1,000 to $10,000 in the spring and fall and $500 - $5000 in the summer. Award ranges are based on EFC (Estimated Family Contribution) from FAFSA (pending verification of submitted information).

Download the Need-Based Grant Application (PDF)

Merit Grants

Merit Grants: Students may apply for merit-based aid if they maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or above. Additional consideration will be given to those students demonstrating leadership within their campus or community. Awards range from $500 to $5,000 in the spring and fall and $250 - $3750 in summer. Award ranges are based on GPA, quality of essay and demonstrated leadership experience.

Download the Merit-Based Grant Application (PDF)

Alumni/Endowed Scholarships

Alumni/Endowed Scholarships: These awards are made possible by the generosity of gifts from our alumni. Students will be expected to correspond with the donor if selected. Students must have a 3.25 GPA or have exhibited personal leadership. Awards range from $500 to $10,000.

Download the Alumni Scholarship Application (PDF)

Short-Term Voyage Grants

Short-Term Voyage Grants: These grants are awarded by the Institute for Shipboard Education to make this voyage a reality for all students regardless of financial status. Additional consideration will be given to those students demonstrating leadership within their campus or community and/or a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or above.  Awards range from $250 to $1500.

Download the short-term voyage application

The Triangle Fraternity Scholarship

The Triangle Fraternity Scholarship - One full tuition scholarship will be awarded for the May short-term voyage in partnership with Triangle Fraternity. Registered members of Triangle Fraternity may submit a short video essay on this question: “How does the Fraternity’s purpose and the mission of the short-term voyage fit into your personal and professional growth as a member of Triangle Fraternity.” Applicants without access to the necessary technological resources may submit a written essay of approximately 500 words.

For more information on the Triangle Fraternity Scholarship, click here

NSCS Scholarship "Scholar at Sea"

NSCS Scholarship "Scholar at Sea": Members of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars are eligible to apply for this award. Requirements and application are available online. One $10,000 award available for fall and spring voyages, three $5,900 awards available for summer voyages, and three $3,475 awards available for the Short-Term voyage.

Work-Study Grants

Work-Study Grants: These esteemed positions are available for industrious students with the necessary experience to be successful in their assignment. Students will be expected to work two hours per day (1 hour on a Short-term voyage) while at sea. There will be no work expectations while in port. Work-Study grants are $4,000 for spring and fall voyages, $2,000 for summer voyages, and $500 for Short-term voyages. Students are only eligible to apply for one position per voyage. Select a position below for more information and application instructions.

• Alumni and Development Assistant
• Activities Desk
• Library Services
• Technology Services
• Student Life Office
• Registrar Assistant
• Field Office
• Audio/Visual Services
• Administrative Office
• Campus Store
• Communications Assistant
• Videographer Assistant
• PhotographerAssistant

Chapman University Scholarships

Chapman University Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded by the Center for Global Education, for more information please contact Katie Roller at roller (AT) chapman.edu. Students must be an undergraduate at Chapman to qualify. $7500 awards are available in the spring and fall.

Morehouse College Scholarships

Morehouse College Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded by the Study Abroad Office. Please contact Gwen Wade at gwade (AT) morehouse.edu for more information. Students must be an undergraduate at Morehouse to qualify. $3500 awards in the spring and fall.

University of California - Irvine Scholarships

University of California - Irvine Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded by the Center for International Education at UCI. For more information, see UCI's website. Students must be an undergraduate at UCI to qualify. $2,000 awards are available for summer voyages and $3,750 awards are available for spring and fall voyages.

University of California - San Diego Scholarships

University of California San Diego Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded by the Institute for Shipboard Education. Students must be an undergraduate at UCSD and submit an ISE need and/or merit grant application to qualify. $1.000 awards are available for summer voyages and $2,500 awards are available for spring and fall voyages.

University of Colorado - Boulder Scholarships

University of Colorado – Boulder Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded by the Office of International Education, please complete the CU-Boulder Study Abroad Scholarship to be nominated or contact Cloud Baffour at Baffour (AT) colorado.edu for more information. Students must be an undergraduate at CU to qualify. Awards are available for spring, summer and fall and are based on demonstrated financial need and merit. Students do not need to submit an ISE need or merit grant application.

University of Hawaii - Hilo Scholarships

University of Hawaii - Hilo Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded by the Center for Global Education and Exchange. For more information please contact Carolina Lam at uhhglobe (AT) hawaii.edu. Students must be an undergraduate at UH-Hilo and have demonstrated financial need to qualify. Awards are available in the fall and spring for approximately 60% of the SAS program cost.

University of Virginia Need Based Grants

University of Virginia Need Based Grants: These grants are awarded by Student Financial Services. Students must be an undergraduate at U.Va. and have a financial aid application on file at SFS to be eligible. Awards are available in the fall and spring and are based on demonstrated financial need (funds are limited and based on availability). Students do not need to submit an ISE need grant application in the spring or fall.

Tom Joyner Foundation

Scholarship Description
The Institute for Shipboard Education (ISE) and the Tom Joyner Foundation (TJF) are pleased to offer up to four full scholarships for fall or spring Semester at Sea voyages. Fall voyages are typically our longest of the year. Our floating campus will sail 27,500 nautical miles in completing a full circumnavigation of the earth. This truly global itinerary touches four continents and transits the Panama Canal. The spring around-the-world voyage begins with a trek 900 miles up the Amazon River to the center of the South American continent. Participants will examine globalization and its implications while investigating 14 international destinations. All participants receive a full semester’s worth of undergraduate credits from the University of Virginia.

Eligibility:
To be eligible for the scholarship, you must:

• Maintain full-time undergraduate enrollment at a Historically Black College or University (HBCU)
• Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00
• Have demonstrated leadership abilities through participation in community service, extracurricular, or other activities

For more information on the Tom Joyner Foundation Scholarship, click here.

C.Y. Tung Scholarship

The C.Y. Tung Program in Sino-U.S. Relations is in honor of C.Y Tung, who was instrumental in the founding of Semester at Sea. The curriculum focuses on the socio-cultural, policy and economic interactions between Chinese and Americans to prepare future leaders to better understand each other's cultures and work together for mutual benefit. Students must be working in the area of China studies and are expected to enroll in the course designed for this program and participate in the corresponding field programs.

Download the C.Y. Tung Scholarship application. (PDF)