Semester Study Abroad
You can earn college credit at an institution in another country for a semester. Since Valencia College does not offer semester programs in other countries, you would need to enroll in a program offered by another university/college or organization and get transfer credit. You must be a full-time Valencia student, at least 18-years-old by time of travel, and have completed a semester of coursework at Valencia College in order to participate.
Are you looking to do an international internship? Please note that all internships are supported by Valencia's Internship and Workforce Services. Please contact their department.
Questions? Please visit our FAQ Page for more information.
Contact us
Location
- 1800 South Kirkman Rd
Orlando, FL 32811 - West Campus
- 10 - 218
Hours
- Monday to Friday: 8am to 4:30pm (Virtual appointments only)
Email and Phone
Social Media
How to Apply
The process to research, plan, and prepare for a semester study abroad program is a long one, so we recommend that you start at least one year prior to your program start date and no less than 6 months prior.
Steps to Apply
- 1Contact the SAGE Office at 407-582-3188 or studyabroad@valenciacollege.edu. Let us know what your plans are and be sure to check in along the way.
- 2Print out and follow the instructions on the Semester Study Abroad Planner and use the checklist to help you navigate this process.
- 3Search for a program provider.
- 4Print out the following forms which have all been referenced in the Semester Study Abroad Planner above.
- Budget Worksheet for Study Abroad
- Consortium Agreement Form for Study Abroad (only used if requesting financial aid)
- SAGE Scholarship Instructions and Application Forms
- Recommended Packing List
- Property Document Form
Before you travel you must register with the SAGE office 30 days in advance
Study Abroad Advisors
| Name | Department | Position | Profile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martie Berrios Garcia | International Student Services | Coord, International Students | |
| Shari Hamilton | Career Program Advising EAC | Coord, Program Advisor | |
| Fontella Jones | Dean Counseling Advising & Holistic | Counselor | Profile |
| Perla Louis | Career Program Advising OSC | Coord, Program Advisor | |
| Yoshi Oyarzun | Dean Student Services | Student Services Advisor | |
| Mike Sanchez | Career Program Advising WEC | Coord, Program Advisor |
Important Websites
- Study Abroad Scholarships
- Passport (your passport should be valid for up to 90 days after your program end date)
- Visa (verify if you need a visa and apply 45-120 days prior)
- Medical/trip insurance
- International Student ID Card
Funding Your Travel
The SAGE Office has scholarship funding to help offset the costs of study abroad. Awards range from $1,000 to $3,500 depending upon the number of applicants, the contents and quality of your application, and the amount of scholarship funding available for the current academic year. The scholarship process is competitive and application-based.
Finding the money to support a semester study abroad program can be challenging for some. The first step in the process is to create a budget. Use the Budget Worksheet for Study Abroad form to help you. If you are applying for a SAGE scholarship or plan on using your financial aid, this is a required form.
Semester Scholarship Eligibility Requirements
- Have a minimum 2.0 GPA at the time of applying to the program.
- Submit a SAGE Scholarship application and supporting documents (see How to Apply).
- Submit proof of program acceptance and deposit payment.
- Be a degree-seeking student at Valencia College.
- Have not received a study abroad scholarship within the current academic year.
- Completed at least one semester with Valencia College within the last year.
- Complete the online course evaluation at the end of the program.
- Register Trip with SAGE once flight, passport, and accommodations are confirmed.
- Be willing to help SAGE promote study abroad to future students.
Financial Aid
Recent changes in federal law have made it possible for students to use some or all of their federal financial aid for semester study abroad. Full-time, Valencia students who are eligible for Financial Aid can use these funds for study abroad programs that award academic credit and grades counted towards your cumulative GPA for study. Eligibility is determined by the type of study abroad program you attend, as well as the type of financial aid you receive. Only students earning a degree at Valencia College are eligible. It is important that you begin this process at least one year prior to your program start date. Any program for which you will not receive transfer credits or grades is not eligible for any financial aid funds. Financial aid can be used to support summer study, as long as you are enrolled for academic credit and you meet all other requirements.
For semester programs, check with your academic advisor to ensure that the courses you are going to take will transfer back to Valencia College. You will need to fill out the Course Pre-Approval and Consortium Agreement Form for Study Abroad before you go. These forms will be required when you meet with the Financial Aid Services Department.
NOTE: You cannot use financial aid for study abroad after you graduate from Valencia College! It is important to meet with a Financial Aid Services advisor prior to accepting any scholarship money to determine if it will affect your overall financial aid package. Take your budget and the course approval forms to your Financial Aid Services advisor for him or her to review to determine your eligibility. Eligibility is determined by the type of program you attend, as well as the type of financial aid you receive.
| Financial Aid Funding Source | Valencia College Study Abroad | Affiliate Study Abroad |
|---|---|---|
| Federal Pell Grant | YES | POSSIBLE |
| Federal SEOG | YES | NO |
| Federal Work-Study | NO | NO |
| Federal Stafford Loans | YES | YES |
| Federal PLUS Loans | YES | YES |
| Valencia College Student Development Funding | YES | NO |
| Valencia Foundation | YES | NO |
| Valencia College SAGE Grants | YES | NO |
| Gilman International Scholarship Program | YES | YES |
| David L. Boren Scholarships | NO | YES |
| Florida Student Assistance Grant | YES | NO |
| Florida Bright Futures | YES | NO |
For more information, check out the following resources:
Scholarships and Other Funding Sources
| Generation Study Abroad | The Institute of International Education announced the launch of Generation Study Abroad, a five-year campaign to double the number of American students who study abroad by the end of the decade. Their goal is to have 600,000 U.S. students studying abroad in credit and non-credit programs. Click here for more Information. |
| Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program |
The Gilman Scholarship offers awards up to $5,000 to study abroad to U.S. citizen undergraduates receiving federal Pell Grant funding at 2-year or 4-year colleges or universities. Students studying a Critical Need Language may receive a $3,000 supplement for a total possible award of $8,000. Click here for more Information. NOTE - For your application and essay, please be sure to include the following details IF they apply to you:
|
| Gilman-McCain Scholarship |
The U.S. Department of State’s Gilman-McCain Scholarship provides awards of $5,000 for undergraduate child dependents of active duty service members to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs. Developed under the framework of the State Department’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, the John McCain International Scholarship for the Children of Military Families is open to eligible students enrolled at accredited U.S. colleges and universities who receive any type of Title IV federal financial aid. Click here fore more information. |
| Boren Awards |
Boren Scholarships fund study abroad students in world regions critical to U.S. interests. Maximum awards are determined by duration abroad. Boren Scholars study a wide range of critical languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Portuguese, and Swahili. Boren Awards are available to students of all proficiency levels who are committed to enhancing their skills. Click here for more information. |
| AIFS Study Abroad | Each year, more than $600,000 in scholarships, grants and financial support is awarded to deserving students & institutions. Funds are available for both summer and semester programs. AIFS is the first study abroad organization to become a committed partner of Generation Study Abroad and are now offering Generation Study Abroad Scholarships for semester and summer programs. Click here for more information. |
| API Scholarships | API awards approximately $500,000 in study abroad scholarships annually ranging from $250 -$3,000 per student. Participants may apply for multiple API scholarships (though may only be awarded one). Click here for more information. |
| AATJ Japan | The Bridging Project offers scholarships to American undergraduate students participating in study-abroad programs in Japan. The United States-Japan Bridging Foundation funds scholarships through AATJ to help students study abroad in Japan for a semester or an academic year. Click here for more information. |
| Ashley Soulé Conroy Study Abroad Scholarship | In honor of study abroad student Ashley Soulé Conroy, a scholarship has been set up to support U.S. students studyig abroad. Click here for more information. |
| CAPA - The Global Education Network | CAPA awards $1.5 million in study abroad scholarships, grants, and affiliate benefits. To be eligible, students must be in the process of applying for a CAPA program. Click here for more information. |
| College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS) | The College Consortium for International Studies offers scholarships each term to students at CCIS member institutions. Valencia maintains a membership to CCIS. If you are participating in a CCIS Program, contact the Study Abroad Office for CCIS Scholarship information. Click here for more information. |
| Critical Language Scholarships for Intensive Summer Institutes | Scholarships for U.S. citizen undergraduate, master's and Ph.D. students to participate in beginning, intermediate and advanced level intensive summer language programs at American Overseas Research Centers. Click here for more information. |
| Critical Language Scholarship | The CLS Program is part of a U.S. government effort to expand dramatically the number of Americans studying and mastering critical foreign languages. Students of diverse disciplines and majors are encouraged to apply. Participants are expected to continue their language study beyond the scholarship period, and later apply their critical language skills in their future professional careers. Click here for more information. |
| DIWC Scholarship | The Diverse International Women of Color Study Abroad Scholarship: This scholarship is intended to assist women of color who are exceptional in their studies and in need of financial assistance to study abroad. Click here for more information. |
| Florida Student Scholarship and Grant Programs | The Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) State Programs, within the Florida Department of Education, administers a variety of postsecondary educational state-funded grants and scholarships, and provides information to students, parents, and high school and postsecondary professionals. Click here for more information. |
| Fulbright Student Program | Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Fulbright is the largest U.S. international exchange program offering opportunities for students, scholars and professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and teaching in elementary and secondary schools worldwide. Click here for more information. |
| Fund for Education Abroad | The Fund for Education Abroad's network has a shared commitment to increase the number of underrepresented American college students studying abroad through the provision of scholarships. Click here for more information. |
| The Education Abroad Network (TEAN) | All students should have the opportunity to study abroad. To help make this a reality, TEAN offers a variety of generous scholarships – from $1,000 - $5,000 and even an annual full scholarship. Click here for more information. |
| ISA Scholarships | ISA offers numerous scholarship and supplemental award opportunities! Click here for more information. |
| Fund for Education Abroad in Ireland | Open to applicants interested to study abroad in Ireland. Applicants awarded Education in Ireland Access Partner Scholarships will receive their scholarship disbursement directly from the Fund for Education Abroad. Click here for more information. |
| Freeman-Asia: Awards for Study in Asia | Open to undergraduate students to study in East and Southeast Asia. Fall, Spring and Summer cycles. Awards amounts vary from $3,000 for summer term $5,000 for semester and $7,000 for academic year programs. Click here for more information. |
| First Trip Scholarship | First Trip promotes nontraditional travel and locations. First Trip offers scholarship funding for students traveling to countries that are ranked lower than Very High on the United Nations' annual Human Development Index (HDI). Click here for more information. |
| Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship | Aimed at recruiting and developing global leaders, The Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship covers all costs for 16 outstanding students typically underrepresented in study abroad to participate in a four-week study abroad program focused on leadership, intercultural communication. Click here for more information. |
| HayesXChange Passport Initiative | The HayesXChange awards passports to students from underserved backgrounds between ages 16 and 21 who have never traveled abroad. Finalists must show proof of enrollment at a college in the state of Florida. Click here for more information. |
| IES Abroad Scholarships | IES Abroad offers more than $6 million in scholarships and aid for students studying on their programs. Submit one scholarship application, and the IES team will let you know all the scholarships and aid you're eligible for. Click here for more information. |
| ItaliaRail Scholarship | The ItaliaRail Scholarship is open to those who have enrolled in a college or university's program in Italy, including Study abroad programs through schools in the United States. Click here for more information. |
| Rotary International | The Rotary Club offers ambassadorial scholarships for students and grants for university professors. These programs can change the lives of those who participate. Through these programs, participants can travel on cultural exchanges, or help a community through a service project. Click here for more information. |
| Semester at Sea | Semester at Sea has a variety of scholarships available for students interested to sail on their programs. Students do not necessarily need to qualify for standard forms of financial aid (such as Pell Grants) on their home campuses to be eligible for scholarships. Applications are based on criteria and terms established for each individual award. Click here for more information. |
| Scholarship Bulletin Board | This Valencia College Scholarship Bulletin Board offers students information on available scholarships. Scholarship advertisements include application requirements, locations of applications, and specific deadlines. Click here for more information. |
| SIT Study Abroad Financial Aid and Scholarships | The School for International Training and World Learning offer a variety of study abroad scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000. Awards are based on need, merit, and the inclusion of students from a variety of institutions, from across the U.S. and from around the world. Most scholarship funds are available for semester or summer programs. Click here for more information. |
| USAC Scholarships | Studying on a USAC program? USAC has multiple scholarships offered each year. Click here for more information. |
| U.S. Japan Council | The Toshizo Watanabe Endowed Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to undergraduate and graduate students for a semester or year-long study abroad program in Japan. Click here for more details. |
| Additional Scholarships and Resources |
To see a more extensive list of scholarships supporting study abroad and tips to save money, please click here. To search a wide database of scholarships, try BigFuture. Use the keyword 'study abroad' in the search tab. |
Semester Abroad Program Providers
Valencia College does not offer its own semester programs, so it is up to students to identify a program provider with assistance from the SAGE Office. The following are some resources to assist you in this search. NOTE - It is important that you MUST select a program provider that will issue a transcript from an accredited post-secondary institution in the United States. This means that you must choose a U.S. institution with a campus abroad or a foreign institution that ssues credits through a partnering accredited U.S. institution. Valencia College will not approve or accept foreign credits. Furthermore, if credits are issued by a foreign institution, you will not have access to financial aid.