Home School Tuition Model
The Center for Global Education (CGE) is excited to announce that effective Fall 2018 Simmons will implement a Home School Tuition model for study abroad. This policy allows all Simmons grant and scholarship aid to be used for approved semester abroad programs and is reflective of the university’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion. Under this model, the financial process will largely mirror a semester on campus where participating students will continue to pay Simmons tuition, housing, as well as a study abroad fee. This policy simplifies the study abroad process and ensures that undergraduate students of all financial means and diverse backgrounds have an opportunity to pursue a transformative semester abroad while at Simmons.
This approach makes the study abroad experience more equitable to all students, regardless of their financial position. Financial aid is provided to a majority of students at Simmons to ensure that ability to pay does not limit their educational opportunities. Because we see the study abroad experience as an integral part of the educational experience at Simmons, we believe that the same principle should apply to studying abroad. Simmons follows this model in the spirit of equity and basic fairness, making it possible for all students to pursue an education abroad opportunity.
Additional Fees
Several study abroad programs include services and excursions in their fees that would not typically be covered by Simmons tuition. In these instances, the fees are passed along to the student. Examples of additional fees may include but are not limited to: an application fee, a housing damage deposit, international insurance fees, optional excursion fees, visa fees, and international airfare. For more information on estimated additional fees for a specific study abroad program, please email us.
Study Abroad Deposit and Administrative Fee
Students accepted to participate in a Simmons semester study abroad program are assessed a $750 study abroad deposit to confirm their intent to study abroad in the following semester. This deposit contributes to the $1,250 Study Abroad Administrative Fee. Students participating on Fall semester abroad programs are required to submit the deposit, via Workday, by May 31; the deposit is refundable if the student elects to withdraw from the Fall semester abroad program before July 15.
Every student receives services covered by the Study Abroad Administrative Fee, such as advising on study abroad programs, advising on details related to the host institution and country, assistance with program application procedures, faculty review of courses, pre-departure resource tools, pre-departure orientation, use of office resources, transcript processing, re-entry events, and 24/7 emergency action protocol. The Study Abroad Fee also includes a comprehensive GEO Blue Travel Health Insurance policy for the duration of the semester, the details of which can be found here.
Tuition Exchange and Tuition Waiver Benefits
Tuition exchange and tuition waiver benefits do not apply to any semester in which a student studies abroad.
Financial Aid Forms
Upon acceptance into a study abroad semester, summer, or academic year program, students will need to complete two forms in order to use their financial aid: the Consortium Agreement Form and the Enrollment Certification Form. Students should contact their Financial Aid Officer to request copies of these forms.
The Consortium Agreement Form should be completed prior to the student’s departure. It will need the student signature as well as the (scanned) signature of an abroad program representative, confirming the student’s dates of enrollment. Once the form is completed, it must be submitted to via email to Simmons SFS. SFS will then update the student’s budget and financial aid.
The Enrollment Certification Form should be completed upon arrival abroad, by an on-site member of the program staff. This form verifies attendance and the exact number of credits the student will be registered for. Once complete, the scanned copy should be sent via email to SFS. This will enable Simmons to transfer the student’s aid to the overseas program.
Scholarships
Both external and internal scholarships may be used for study abroad. There are a select number of Simmons scholarships designated for students planning to study overseas (see below). Students have to apply to be considered for these study abroad scholarships. Deadlines for study abroad scholarship applications are March 15 and October 15.
External Scholarships
External scholarships are available for most students looking to study abroad. A selected list of scholarships can be found here. There may be additional scholarship opportunities possible through your program provider.
- API Scholarships
for students studying on an API program – a variety of scholarships designed for first-generation college students, students studying science/technology/math, or minority students - BASAA Scholarship
an award for up to $5000.00 for U.S. citizens who plan to study abroad at least 4 weeks; applicants must attend a U.S. college located in New England - Boren Scholarships
for study of less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests that are underrepresented in study abroad - Bridging Scholarships for Study in Japan
Japanese language study is not required - Diversity Abroad Planning Scholarship
scholarship opportunities for nontraditional students including those that are ethnically diverse, economically disadvantaged, or first-generation - Freeman-ASIA
for U.S. citizens or permanent residents who demonstrate financial need and interest in studying abroad in East or Southeast Asia - Fulbright Commission Summer Institutes to the UK
for U.S. citizens with at least two years of undergraduate study left to complete - Gilman International Scholarships
open to students who are receiving Federal Pell grant awards - IFSA-Butler Scholar Program
for first-generation college students - Rainbow Scholarship
for a US citizen who identifies as LGBTQ and plans to study abroad for at least four weeks abroad - SIT Study Abroad
if you have a Pell Grant and study with a SIT program, they will match your Pell Grant - Tēnā kouto
Education New Zealand and New Zealand universities and institutes of technology and polytechnics offer travel and tuition awards - TOPTAL
For women from around the world to help empower them to become top professional software engineers - Women’s Travel Club
Two $5000 scholarship awards for women traveling in 2016.
Internal Scholarships
Applications are typically due October 15 for spring and summer programs and March 15 for fall programs. Fill out one application to apply for all of the following scholarships:
- Bowker Grant Scholarship
Thanks to the generosity of Sheldon and Audrey Katz and The Sheldon and Audrey Katz Foundation, the Bowker Scholarship was established at Simmons in honor of Audrey’s mother, Eleanor Wade Bowker Hittinger ’22 and aunt, Edith Bowker Howe ’30. The donor’s intention is to provide funding for students participating in summer study abroad programs, in addition to fall and spring. Applications will be reviewed based on financial need and GPA. - Dolores Amidon D’Angelo ’69, ’72GS Honors Scholarship Fund
Thanks to the generosity of Dolores Amidon D’Angelo ’69, ’72GS this scholarship fund was established to provide travel stipends to students who are enrolled in Simmons University’s honors program. Stipends will be awarded to students who apply for study abroad programs (short-term and/or longer-term experiences included) through Simmons’ study abroad office. $5,000 is awarded each year, which is broken into $2,500 to each of 2 students. - Henry J. Halko and Jane Curtin Halko ’45 Travel Abroad Scholarship
Thanks to the generosity of the family and friends of Henry J. Halko, Professor Emeritus of History, and Jane Curtin Halko ’45, former director of admissions and Simmons University honorary degree recipient in 2000, the Henry J. Halko and Jane Curtin Halko ’45 Scholarship has been established at Simmons. The fund was established to honor the Halkos’ invaluable contributions to the University and their commitment to international and multicultural exploration. The purpose of this gift is to provide aid for undergraduate students to help defray the costs associated with study abroad. Selections will be based on financial need and academic merit. - Harriet Elam-Thomas Study Abroad Fund
Thanks to the generosity of the family and friends of the United States Ambassador to Senegal (Ret.), the Honorable Harriet Elam-Thomas ’63, the Harriet Elam-Thomas Study Abroad Fund has been established at Simmons in honor of her lifetime of achievements. The grant is available to undergraduate Simmons students studying abroad who are majoring in international relations or political science. It is awarded based primarily on financial need. - Judy Samdperil Mann ’83 Scholarship Fund
Thanks to the generosity of Judy Samdperil Mann’83, scholarships are available to both undergraduate Juniors or Seniors and MBA students participating in study abroad programs. - Tobin Family Scholarship
Thanks to the generosity of Janet Trafton Tobin ’67 and her family, these scholarships are designed to support qualified students who plan to participate in a semester-long program in Spain or other Spanish-speaking countries. - Jane Bergwall Shattuck Scholarship
Thanks to the generosity of Jane Bergwall Shattuck ’48, this scholarship is meant for students who desire enrichment through study abroad. A committee will review applications, making selections based on financial need and merit. - Phyllis Haberman ’70 Scholarship for Study Abroad
This fund is established by Phyllis Haberman ’70 to support student participation in study abroad. First preference is given to a student studying for a full year in an IES Abroad program. Students who are studying for a semester with IES Abroad or students studying for a full year abroad with any program will also be considered. The award is worth $10,000 for a full year or $5,000 for a semester experience. Students applying to a Simmons faculty-led travel course or summer study abroad are not eligible. - School of Social Work Scholarship
This fund is available for graduate students in the School of Social Work participating in study abroad. A committee will review applications, making selections based on financial need and merit.