First Gen Abroad is a life-changing experience that is designed to be affordable so as many students as possible can participate. On this page you can find information about how much the program will likely cost and how you can fund your study abroad experience.
First Gen Abroad Costs
The program costs are fixed, and the estimated costs will vary based on your personal spending. The table below provides the program costs for 2024 and a general idea of what additional expenses might cost so you can begin planning.
| COSTS | Seville 2024 |
| Program Fee | $5,804 |
| Global Learning Application Fee |
$300 |
| International Insurance | $66 |
| Total Program Costs (billed to your student account) | $6,170 |
| Additional Estimated Costs (calculated into your summer financial aid) | |
| Personal expenses (food, weekend travel on your own, souvenirs, etc.) | $1,800 |
| Airfare | $2,100 |
| Passport (if you don't already have one) | $165 |
| ETIAS Authorization (new EU entry fee) | $7 |
| Total Estimated Costs (paid on your own) | $4,072 |
| TOTAL COMBINED COST | $10,242 |
Paying for Your Trip
There are a variety of funding options for study abroad, including financial aid and scholarships. Be sure to file your FAFSA/WASFA as early as possible, fill out the WSU General Scholarship Application, and check out other scholarships, including the ones in this list. Touch base with Student Financial Services about summer aid to see what your options are!
Study Abroad Scholarships
Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship
The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. To be eligible for the Gilman Program, applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship. The Institute of International Education has administered the program since its inception in 2001.
Application Deadline
The March 2024 deadline application will open in mid-January 2024. Applications are due Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 11:59 pm Pacific Time.
Application Tips
Compose your essays first in a word processing program, then upload the file to your online application. Please use 1-inch margins and Times New Roman 12-point font for each of your essays.
Gilman Writing Tips
Gilman Essay Guidelines
These sample essays from past Gilman recipients can give you a sense of what a successful essay looks like:
England Sample
Spain Sample
Shawn Carter Foundation Scholarship Fund
The Shawn Carter Scholarship Fund (SCSF) was founded on the belief that any motivated individual in need should have the opportunity to further his or her education. By removing some of the financial burdens associated with going to, surviving in, and graduating from college, the SCSF plays a vital role in increasing college access and success for many motivated yet underserved young adults. The SCSF provides individual grants, paid directly to the educational institution, to every student who qualifies and reapplies yearly, from admission to graduation. The grant can be used to cover tuition expenses and related supplemental educational expenses such as books, lab fees, travel, and select costs of living. All Shawn Carter Scholars are required to “give back” by conducting community service and by serving as mentors to younger, aspiring Shawn Carter Scholars.
2024 Application Deadline
Sunday, April 30, 2024, at 8:59 p.m. Pacific Time
Fund for Education Abroad Access Partner Scholarships
FEA’s Access Partners join in the shared commitment to increase the number of underrepresented American college students studying abroad through the provision of scholarships. As members of the FEA Access Advisory Board (AAB), our Access Partners collaborate, share best practices in international education, and actively engage in FEA’s mission. They are helping to make life-changing, international experiences accessible to all by supporting minority and first-generation college students.