Study Abroad

So You Want to Study Abroad...

Why Study Abroad?

It's Relevant...

No matter what field you're in, the chance to add a global context to your studies is invaluable to employers in an ever-globalizing market.

It's Life-Changing...

Whether it's for a week or a month, an opportunity to experience another culture will alter the way you view your own. Going abroad expands your understanding and interest in the world around you.

It Makes a Difference...

Apply your skills in a way that makes a difference for a community that may not have access to reliable healthcare, technology, or other infrastructures and get credit for it at the same time.

Are you excited to study abroad? You should schedule an appointment with the Office of International Education & Sponsored Program (OIESP) to discuss your plans to study abroad. If you choose to utilize a third-party provider or work directly with an institution abroad, there may be a requirement for OIESP to approve your application. To receive this approval, you must meet with OIESP to assess your current academic standing and readiness to study abroad. Please get in touch with Abbey Jones, Associate Director for Specialty Programs, at studyabroad@nvcc.edu.

NOVA Opportunities Abroad

Flag of Czech Republic

Film in the Czech Republic

VCU Education Abroad Logo

Study Abroad with Virginia Commonwealth University

You may wish to pursue Independent Study Abroad Opportunities. While NOVA does not make program recommendations or endorsements, you may find the following directories for your search helpful:

Speak with your intended transfer institutions and research their study-abroad options!

This is not an all-inclusive list. Plan to take a significant amount of time researching institutions abroad that can help meet your academic, personal, and professional needs and make sure that you schedule an advising session with the Study Abroad Office before you get started.

You will need to complete a course equivalency form which will require a syllabus from each class that you intend to take abroad. Transferability of credits is not guaranteed.

Critical Language Scholarship
The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is a summer study abroad opportunity for American college and university students to learn languages essential to America's engagement with the world.

Boren Scholarships and Fellowships
Provide unique funding opportunities for US undergraduate and graduate students to add an important international and language component to their educations. They focus on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study that are critical to US national security, broadly defined and underrepresented in study abroad.

Freeman Scholarship
Accept applications from US citizens or permanent residents studying at the undergraduate level at a two-year or four-year college or university who demonstrate financial need to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia.

Fund for Education Abroad Scholarship
The Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) invests in promising students with financial need who wish to study abroad. Potential applicants who meet our eligibility requirements may participate in any international education program that meets their academic objectives. Scholarships range from $1,250 – $10,000

Explore the World Travel Scholarship
Hostelling International USA is offering recipients $2,000 to help finance their international trip that includes an educational or service component. Must be a Pell grant recipient in the DC metro area. US citizen or permanent resident.

International Scholarships
A comprehensive financial aid, college scholarship, and international scholarship resource for students wishing to study abroad. Provide a comprehensive listing of grants, scholarships, loan programs, and other information to assist college and university students in their pursuit to study abroad.

Scott's Cheap Flights Study Abroad Scholarship
The Scott's Cheap Flights Study Abroad $1,000 Scholarship is open to any citizen and/or resident of the United States (and its territories and possessions) who will be enrolled full-time at an accredited institution of higher learning.

Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship
A fully funded leadership seminar in an overseas location for outstanding students from Minority Serving Institutions. All qualified applicants will receive an additional $1500 scholarship to study abroad this summer, even if they're not selected as a Global Fellow. To be eligible, you must be a first or second-year student with evidence of financial need and a minimum GPA of 3.0.

US Intern Abroad Armenia Scholarships
Offers undergraduate exposure to the global workplace through eight-week summer internships in Armenia. Students gain valuable insight and experience into the tourism/ecotourism sector and economic development in Armenia while developing the professional and intercultural skills demanded by today's market. Internships are conducted in English, with placements available in nature conservation, preservation of wildlife, agribusiness research, cultural heritage, and environmental education.

US Intern Abroad Russia Scholarships
American Councils is pleased to announce that the Business, Technology, and Innovation (BTI) Scholarship offers travel, lodging, and tuition support for U.S. students participating in an American Councils' summer internship program in Moscow. Undergraduates interested in business, innovation, or STEM fields are eligible to apply for scholarships of $3,000-5,000. Awards are made based on financial need, compatibility, and academic merit. No prior study of Russian is required.

If you are hoping to use financial aid for study abroad expenses, you will need to visit a NOVA financial aid adviser to discuss the specifics of your aid package.

For summer study abroad programs, consider these additional expenses when you are planning your academic year fund distribution or apply for a Summer Pell Grant. Students who have used 100% of their academic year Pell could get another term if enrolled at least half-time in eligible courses.

To apply for federal financial aid to study abroad, the courses must be required as part of the student's program of study. A financial aid adviser must approve specific eligibility.

529 accounts can typically be used to pay for expenses related to study abroad, which include; tuition, fees, books, room, and board but usually not airfare. Check with your 529 plan administrator to confirm specific study abroad program coverage.

Veteran students, just like any other student, can benefit greatly from a study abroad experience. Many veterans use their GI Bill® benefits to help fund their credit-bearing study abroad experience. If you are interested in using your VA benefits to assist in the payment of your Study Abroad program, please review the VA Study Abroad Guidelines and connect with NOVA's Military and Veteran Services Office.