What Resources Are Available to Help First-Generation College Students Study Abroad?
For first-generation college students, studying abroad can sometimes feel like navigating an entirely new system on top of already navigating college itself.
Where do you find scholarships? Can financial aid be used abroad? Who helps with your passport or visa? What if no one in your family has traveled internationally before?
The good news is that you don't have to figure everything out alone. From scholarships and campus advisors to mentorship and travel resources, there are organizations and programs designed to make international education more accessible.
Here are some of the most useful resources to explore as you begin planning your study abroad journey.
1. Start With Your College's Study Abroad Office
Your university's study abroad or international education office should be one of your first stops.
A study abroad advisor can help you:
Find programs that work with your degree
Understand how credits will transfer
Compare program costs
Identify university-specific scholarships
Navigate application deadlines
Understand visa and travel requirements
If your school doesn't have a dedicated study abroad office, reach out to an academic advisor, financial aid office, or student services department. They may be able to connect you with external study abroad providers and resources.
You don't need to understand the entire process before making an appointment. Helping students figure out where to begin is exactly what these resources are there for.
2. Explore Scholarships Designed to Increase Access
Cost is one of the biggest concerns students have about studying abroad, but there are scholarships specifically designed to make international education more accessible.
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a U.S. Department of State program that helps American undergraduate students with high financial need study or intern abroad.
Eligible students receiving a Federal Pell Grant can apply for scholarships of up to $5,000, with additional supplemental funding potentially available for eligible critical-language study and STEM experiences.
If you receive a Pell Grant and are considering studying abroad, Gilman should be one of the first scholarships you explore.
Learn more: Gilman Scholarship Program
Fund for Education Abroad
The Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) provides scholarships and ongoing support to undergraduate students with financial need who face barriers to studying abroad.
First-generation students are a major part of the FEA community. In fact, FEA reports that 80% of the students it has funded are first-generation college students.
One FEA application can also make students eligible for multiple scholarships for which they meet the criteria.
Explore scholarships and eligibility: Fund for Education Abroad
Joy Worldwide Inc.
Joy Worldwide Inc. works to make international education more accessible for students who have traditionally been underrepresented in study abroad, including first-generation college students.
Support goes beyond scholarship funding. Students also receive resources such as language-learning access, passport and visa assistance, pre-departure support, reflection activities, and access to the Joy Worldwide community.
For first-generation students, having people and resources to turn to throughout the process can be just as important as receiving financial support.
Explore scholarship opportunities: Joy Worldwide Inc.
3. Talk to Your Financial Aid Office
One of the biggest mistakes students can make is assuming that studying abroad automatically means paying for everything separately.
Depending on your university and program, some of your existing financial aid may be usable toward an approved study abroad experience.
Before deciding that studying abroad is financially out of reach, ask your financial aid office:
Can my current financial aid be used for study abroad?
Will my grants or scholarships transfer to an approved program?
Are there additional study abroad scholarships available through my university?
Are there deadlines I should know about?
How will studying abroad affect the timing of my financial aid?
Have this conversation early. Understanding the funding you already have can completely change how you approach your study abroad budget.
4. Don't Rely on Just One Scholarship
You don't necessarily need to find one scholarship that pays for your entire study abroad experience.
Instead, think about building your funding from several different sources:
Existing financial aid + university scholarships + external study abroad scholarships + program-provider funding
Even smaller awards can make a meaningful difference when you're budgeting for airfare, passports, visas, housing, transportation, and everyday expenses abroad.
Create a list of scholarships you're eligible for and keep track of their requirements and deadlines. Starting early gives you more opportunities to build a realistic funding plan.
5. Find Mentors and Students Who Have Already Studied Abroad
Sometimes the most useful resource is another person who has already done what you're trying to do.
Look for study abroad alumni through your university, student organizations, scholarship programs, or international education communities.
Ask questions like:
What do you wish you knew before leaving?
How did you afford your program?
What surprised you most?
How did you talk to your family about studying abroad?
What was your first week abroad like?
What would you do differently?
For first-generation students especially, connecting with someone who understands the process can make an unfamiliar experience feel much more manageable.
6. Include Your Family in the Process
If you're the first person in your family to study abroad—or even the first to travel internationally—your family may have just as many questions as you do.
Their concerns may involve safety, finances, academics, or simply not knowing what studying abroad actually looks like.
Share information about your program with them. Explain where you'll live, how you'll stay connected, what support you'll have while abroad, and why the experience matters to your academic or professional goals.
You can also direct your family to the USA Study Abroad resources for students and parents so they can learn more about international education from an official source.
Your study abroad office or program provider may also offer parent information sessions, pre-departure materials, or other resources you can share.
7. Remember: Being First Doesn't Mean Doing It Alone
Being a first-generation college student often means being the first person in your family to navigate opportunities they haven't experienced themselves.
But being the first doesn't mean figuring everything out by yourself.
There are study abroad advisors, financial aid offices, scholarship organizations, mentors, nonprofits, and entire communities available to help.
Start asking questions early. Apply for multiple scholarships. Talk to students who have gone before you. Research official resources. And most importantly, don't assume an international experience is out of reach before exploring what's available.
At Joy Worldwide Inc., our mission is to help make global education more accessible, particularly for students who have historically been underrepresented in study abroad.
If studying abroad is something you've been dreaming about, start exploring your options today.
Explore Joy Worldwide Inc. study abroad scholarships and resources