How to Afford a Semester Abroad: Rutgers-Camden (and the Process)

Brief Overview

This blog post edition is specifically for my fellow Rutgers-Camden Raptors as it contains Rutgers-Camden specific financial aid information as well as the Rutgers New Brunswick study abroad process for future students aspiring to travel abroad.

Where to Apply

As a Rutgers-Camden student, we have to apply to the study abroad programs via the Rutgers-New Brunswick campus’ Global Center website. This website allows for all Rutgers students, Newark, Brunswick, and Camden alike, to apply for international programs. That being said, keep in mind that this is the site to apply for an international semester or year-long program. For Rutgers-Camden students, we are also offered one to two week Learning Abroad programs that consist of courses that relate to experiential learning such as the School of Business’ trip to South Africa and other trips to Cuba, and so forth. The Learning Abroad center also offers international volunteer programs, and study away programs which means that you study in another part of the USA for a while. These selections change every year and are perfect for those seeking a small getaway to give back to the community or travel but still want to make sure they’re not gone for too long.

Found on the Learning Abroad Rutgers-Camden Website.

How to Apply

Now, for the life long thrill-seekers of adventures – I suggest that you venture on to New Brunswick’s Global Center website and find a program that fits your needs and is in line with your interests. However, know that you may only apply for one Study Abroad program at a time. For example, you are not able to apply for both a program in Ewha and another in Italy. Give it some thought, take into account how much money you are willing to spend (for example, living in France is more costly than studying abroad in China).

After you narrow down your country of interest, apply. Easy-peasy! Well, almost. For South Korea, the application process contained three questions asking why I wanted to study abroad, why this particular program, and how I planned to fund my experience. I am sure there are more questions, but I am not entirely sure off the top of my head. That being said, I did “apply” for a semester abroad only to look at the questions ahead of time and build my application. I copied and pasted the questions to a google doc, and began my application process since Ewha’s application didn’t open until January. I also completed extra questions for a Rutgers-New Brunswick scholarship which I advise all applicants to complete. Money is money! Also, the questions do not have to be any longer than a paragraph, which ends up making the application process not too difficult.

Make Your Application Stick Out (OSDFA)

While I say it is not difficult, do not think that it is not competitive. Some study abroad programs are highly competitive. Therefore, it is good to think ahead and start your application early. But, do not think you do not have a chance or you don’t know where to start. Specifically for my Rutgers-Camden students, you have been blessed to have access to Laura Collins, an advisor at the Honors College, who has now taken the new role of leading the Office of Scholar Development & Fellowship Advising. You do not need to be apart of the Honors College in order to meet with her. I deeply advise anyone planning to go abroad to check out the office as they will help you with writing essays, finalizing applications, and more. This office is also home to helping students with fellowship applications, competitive program applications – you name it. Where there’s an application, you can go to this center! 

Scholarships

With this information in mind, I went to the OSDFA to review my Brunswick application for Ewha University as I already knew beforehand that it was quite competitive. Laura also introduced me to scholarships, and I learned that I could apply to the Gilman Scholarship, Freeman-ASIA Scholarship, and the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. As a first-generation college student, I wanted to get all the money I could find to help afford my study abroad. As mentioned before, I also applied to the Rutgers-New Brunswick scholarship for study abroad students. Unfortunately, I did not receive the Freeman Scholarship – BUT I did receive the Gilman Scholarship! This was huge news to me as I knew during the application process that the scholarship was highly competitive as it was a national program. The ultimate amount I ended up earning was $2,500 for a semester-long program that will be wired to my bank account. Please keep in mind, however, that you must be a Pell-Grant recipient to apply. Good news – about 80% of Rutgers-Camden is eligible! If you don’t know what a Pell-Grant recipient is, look at your term bill and/or award letter. If the grant is on there, you are eligible to apply for the Gilman Scholarship.

I ended up being waitlisted for the Hispanic Scholarship Fund, I was ecstatic. At first, I was bummed out – I applied to the same scholarship for two years and was always rejected. As a waitlisted Hispanic Scholar, I am given the same benefits as a recipient without the money – which seems like a bummer BUT (second “but”, I am so creative) if there is any funding left over or available for the Fall semester, I am in line to receive it. Sounds like a deal to me!

You can also find more Rutgers scholarships here, as listed on the Global Center website.

Financial Aid

Financial aid is always a tricky subject. Everyone wants more funding, and getting it isn’t always easy. I personally have had the pleasure of having an amazing financial aid advisor who helps me at my every question. Therefore, let’s dive into the details.

As a first-generation student with limited income, I personally am a recipient of the “Bridging-the-Gap” program. Now, for those reading that don’t know what it is, it means that if your parents make under $60,001 as of 2019, you are guaranteed 100% tuition paid in full by the university. This means after all your aid from the government, you are given free tuition. To uphold confusion, below are some screenshots of how Rutgers-Camden Bridging the Gap program works taken directly from their website:

One thing Rutgers-Camden does get amazing right is their tuition program for underprivileged students. Can I get an AMEN?! 

Therefore, in my personal experience as a 100% covered student at Rutgers-Camden, since we are paying our term bills through the school to go abroad in another country – it is paid for as if we actually never left campus. Confusing, right? Let me rephrase this: Because we are going abroad, and because we are Rutgers-Camden students and studying at a partnered university through the New Brunswick website, we continue to make payments to our Rutgers term bill. Hence, this means that any tuition you incur at your study abroad school is tuition you can apply Bridging-the-Gap to. Amazing, right!? That means you can ultimately study abroad and pay the same you would if you were on campus in Camden, New Jersey… If you are covered 75%, expect to pay 25% of tuition and if you are 50%, expect to pay half. More so, if you are on the lower spectrum of the previous income chart, that number is a mind-boggling $0!!! 

Well, kind of. Keep in mind you still need to cover the expenses that will not be covered by tuition. Some programs include housing in the tuition, but usually not. So, expect to be able to finance housing, flights, insurance (depending on the program), personal expenses, and etc. That being said, we apply to scholarships to cover these additional costs which ultimately makes study abroad way more affordable than initially thought of. However, don’t be discouraged if you do not have Bridging-the-Gap. Rutgers-Camden specifically is phenomenal with their financial aid process and will help you make your dreams come true. Just make sure you start asking questions early, even if you’re not 100% sure about going abroad, and begin planning ahead.

So There You Have It

We as Rutgers-Camden students have more resources than we realize. Not only are we a beautiful campus full of diverse students from different backgrounds and experiences, but we cultivate an environment to help one another evolve and chase their dreams. For some of you, that dream may be to study abroad. For whatever reason, you may have thought it not plausible nor feasible, I beg you to take all the information I have given you and just try. It all starts with a push, and I hope I am pushing you in the right direction.

If you are questioning whether or not to study abroad and going back and forth between choices, please contact the Learning Abroad Center. This center, while specifically deal with short-term learning assignments, also happens to work as a mediator between the Rutgers-New Brunswick study abroad office as well as a resource for all your general questions about what school should I choose, what scholarships are available, and how will this affect my financial aid?

Make the most of your college experience, and partake in an international program. Whether it be short term or long, be sure to make the best memories you can. College will not – and should not – be the best part of your life; as there will always be something else you can look forward to in the future – but you should be able to sit back when you’re 80-years-old in your rocking chair, smile to yourself, and think: “I did that.”

Give yourself a past memory to smile about, and engage in going abroad.