Study Abroad

All St. Mary’s undergraduate students are eligible to apply for a CIP Study Abroad Grant, which awards up to $1,000 for summer programs and up to $2,000 for a semester abroad. Each year, St. Mary’s awards over $40,000 in study abroad scholarships. The application for the scholarship will be found in the application for the study abroad program of interest.

Students attending semester-long programs are able to use their academic merit scholarships and most other semester-based scholarships. Often, the difference in cost between a semester abroad and a semester at St. Mary’s is the cost of airfare. Depending on the program you attend, your semester cost may actually decrease when taking into consideration the cost of living in a particular country.

This scholarship donates up to $7,000 each year to students attending semester-long study abroad programs. The scholarship was organized in 1996 by friends and family of Jessica Marie Garcia (B.A. ’92) and has supported students for the past 20 years. The scholarship honors Jessica’s commitment to excellence in life and appreciation of the world and other cultures, and is awarded to those who demonstrate a commitment to scholarship and community service.

In addition to St. Mary’s scholarships, we help students apply for prestigious national scholarships such as the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship, which awards students up to $8,000 toward a program during the semester and up to $3,000 during the summer. The Gilman Scholarship is awarded to Pell Grant recipients and promotes study abroad for underserved populations who might otherwise not be able to study abroad. The award is funded by the U.S. Department of State and the Institute for International Education and serves as a first stepping stone for many to consider a career in foreign service or work with the U.S. Department of State.

Students can take advantage of a number of financial resources, as all study abroad programs award academic credit. Students can use Pell Grant funding on eligible programs during the summer and semesters, as long as students maintain half- to full-time status. Summer Pell Grants are awarded in amounts upward of $2,500.

All of these resources help minimize the number and amount of student loans that students may take out for a program, which is also a viable option.

The Center for International Programs works very closely with all students, mentoring them as they work through the application process. We view applying for scholarships and grants as a form of academic and professional development and as a form of resiliency building for students who will later enter the workforce.

When designing programs and forming new partnerships with universities overseas, health and safety are our first priority. Students encounter many of the same risks while studying abroad as they would on campus at St. Mary’s or elsewhere in San Antonio. At the same time, we recognize that being farther away from home may complicate hardships.

All students:

Enroll with an inexpensive international health insurance provider, which supplements the student’s regular domestic plan.
Have 24-hour phone access to the St. Mary’s Student Counseling Center.
Have 24-hour emergency contacts both on site and at St. Mary’s.
Attend orientation at least one month prior to departure.
Must obtain a health clearance.
Register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), which alerts U.S. embassies that U.S. citizens are traveling in the region and provide the student with safety updates.

All students need a passport valid at least 6 months beyond their return date. Depending on the country of travel and the duration of stay, students may need a visa to enter the country. The Center for International Programs helps students apply for visas. In some cases, a student may need to travel to Houston to visit an embassy or consulate or mail in their passport for processing. Passport and visa costs are educational costs and are partially funded through financial aid.

While your student is making travel arrangements, we recommend at least one family member also possess a valid passport. This way a designated family member can travel on site, in the rare instance it is needed. Some parents join students after a program ends for additional independent travel.

We encourage students to plan with family ahead of time how they will maintain contact while studying abroad. With increasing global access to wireless internet and advanced telecommunications, families are more connected than ever at a low cost. Families can overcome distances by connecting via Skype, WhatsApp and FaceTime.

St. Mary’s Center for International Programs and other University offices also maintain contact with students throughout their program, informing students of important dates and events such as course registration. Students can also share photos and stories on our Instagram and Facebook pages.

While we welcome questions from parents and families, as adults, students maintain the legal rights for privacy through the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

We encourage students to sign a waiver that allows us to contact families and various institutions on their behalf.

In the case of an emergency, the University does maintain the right to contact families on the student’s behalf without requiring their written permission.