Affordability is one of Truman’s core values and there are several ways to make international study an affordable option. With the help of Truman’s academic scholarships, federal financial aid and/or other financial assistance, a study abroad experience may be more attainable than you think. It’s an investment that will pay you dividends for years to come.

Additional funding opportunities

Truman Academic Scholarships

A full-ride award is a renewable academic scholarship that covers the full cost of tuition, room and board for up to eight semesters through University funds. A packaged full-ride award is a renewable academic award covering tuition, room and board for up to eight semesters through a combination of University funds and scholarship funds from one or more additional sources, such as the Missouri Higher Education “Bright Flight” Scholarship, an award through the National Merit Corporation or the Robert C. Byrd Scholarship. 

Truman academic scholarships of up to full Truman tuition can apply toward the cost of all Truman approved study abroad programs. The room and board portion of a full-ride award or a packaged full-ride award may be accessible for selected exchange programs and summer faculty-led trips. Approved programs are listed on the study abroad web site http://studyabroad.truman.edu and in the general study abroad brochure. Information about these programs is also available at the Center for International Education (CIE) in Kirk Building.

General guidelines for the use of Truman academic scholarships:

1. Students must be enrolled full-time at Truman for trips taking place during  the academic year. Part-time enrollment for summer trips is permitted.

2. An Appeals Petition must be completed to request that a scholarship be used for a summer trip. This form can be submitted electronically at http://financialaid.truman.edu

3. The CIE Office must sign the student’s Scholarship Renewal Proposal Form  for the semester or summer term pertaining to the study abroad trip and   submit this form to the Financial Aid Office. Service hours are not required during a period of study abroad enrollment. An alternate assignment in the form of a report must be submitted to the CIE upon completion of the program.

4. Using renewable Truman scholarships toward a summer or semester program counts as a semester of eligibility for the awards.

University academic scholarships may pay the following fees if approved for the trip in question: 

• Enrollment Fees -- Full-ride and packaged full-ride scholarships will be valued as if the student were in residence but living off-campus – Truman tuition plus an off-campus living allowance.

• Truman Administrative Fee

• Sponsor Fees, if collected by Truman State University

• Room and Board Cost for Exchange Programs (as designated in the rules for the Exchange Program) and summer faculty-led group trips

• Travel/Tour/Contingency cost for summer faculty-led group trips

• Insurance fees as part of a Study Abroad program, but not health insurance fees that may be required of Exchange students

University academic scholarships will not pay the following fees: 

• Student’s expenses above the approved cost of the trip, e.g. for extra travel costs or for extending the trip beyond the approved time period

• Personal health insurance costs

• Costs not approved for payment through Truman State University, including housing and travel costs, except as part of the approved Exchange Programs or summer faculty-led group trips

Funds will not be paid in cash to the student except for the following cash awards:

• Pershing Study Abroad Stipend

• Off-campus living allowance for full-ride Truman scholarships

• Truman State University Development Fund Scholarships

University academic scholarships will not pay toward housing or travel costs except in the following instances:          

• Truman Exchange Programs when the student pays housing to Truman

• Truman summer faculty-led trips

Summer Study Abroad Scholarships

There are ten $1,500 scholarships available for Truman faculty-led programs in the summer. Applications are available at the CIE Office.

Missouri Bright Flight Scholarships

Eligible students may receive these funds for any program that takes place during the academic year. Funds are not available for summer programs per state regulations. All state requirements apply including full-time enrollment at Truman. Students should be enrolled full-time at least 45 days prior to the beginning of a term to ensure that funds are requested from the state in time for disbursement at the start of the fall or spring semester.

Pershing Scholar Stipend of $4,000

Pershing Scholarship recipients must complete an application to use the Pershing Scholarship Stipend. Download the application! The application requires an advisor signature and CIE approval. An approved copy is sent to the Business Office, the Financial Aid Office and to the student. This is a cash award. If excess funds are available after fees charged to the student account are paid, the student will receive a check that can be used for other study abroad-related expenses. The stipend can be used alone or combined with a semester of academic scholarship.

Federal Funds

Pell Grant, SEOG, Stafford Loans, Perkins Loans, and Parent Loans

Students intending to apply for federal aid should begin the process a minimum of sixty   days prior to the date of the trip. More time should be allowed for students who have never applied for federal aid. It is suggested that students make an appointment with a financial aid counselor early in the semester prior to the approved study abroad program.

All federal financial aid funds, except Work-Study, are available for study abroad programs.  No exceptions to federal regulations are allowed for disbursement of funds; therefore, these monies cannot be released more than ten days prior to trip departure and are not available for any deposits required. A student should make arrangements with Student Accounts, MC 105, if payment of fees needs to be deferred due to the disbursement date of federal funds. Student Accounts also needs information for mailing any excess funds if departure dates prohibit the student from being present to pick up the change check. It is a good idea to execute a power of attorney for legal transactions while out of the country.

In some cases, federal aid may be used for study abroad when the student is not enrolled at Truman, but is participating in an approved study abroad program through another U.S. institution. If the CIE Office and Registrar approve the program of study as acceptable for transfer credit, the Financial Aid Office may be able to provide federal funds through a consortium arrangement with another institution. Students must contact the Financial Aid Director to make such arrangements.

The Study Abroad Funding Sheet that needs to be completed for the trip and additional information regarding federal financial aid can be found at http://financialaid.truman.edu/

Students who plan to study abroad during the spring semester and return for the following fall semester should make arrangements to file a renewal application for federal financial aid (FAFSA). This can be done online at www.fafsa.ed.gov

Cultural Loan

The Truman State University Foundation makes loans available to students for study abroad programs. A limited number of cultural loans are authorized each year not to exceed the cost of the trip or a maximum of $5,000. Students should have a minimum 2.5 grade point average based on Truman course work. Applications are available in the Financial Aid Office.

Academic Progress 

Most grades for study abroad programs are not received until several months after the trip; therefore, an incomplete grade will be shown on your Truman transcript. If you are studying abroad in the spring semester or a summer term this will normally result in a ‘denial letter’ of your federal financial aid or Truman scholarship being issued for the end of that term. Don’t panic. The letters are generated automatically from the system. Complete the Appeals Petition and submit it to the Financial Aid Office, MC 103. It is available in that office or at http://financialaid.truman.edu