Financing your Study Abroad
Depending on where you study abroad, you can expect to spend anywhere from what you would normally spend at Guelph or up to 1.5 times what you would normally spend. How much you spend also depends on your spending habits and your expectations for travel outside of your study abroad program.
One of the big benefits of studying abroad with the University of Guelph is that you will still be considered a U of Guelph student and so you will still pay Guelph tuition. Considering international student tuition can be 2-3x higher when you study outside of Canada, this is a financial plus!
U of Guelph students who are eligible for OSAP or other provincial student loans can still receive these loans while participating in a study abroad program, as you will still be registered as a U of Guelph student during this time. For students participating in a short-term summer exchange program or field school, the duration of the program must be at least 4 weeks in order for you to be eligible for summer semester OSAP and you will only receive OSAP to cover your tuition (not living expenses). For questions about receiving OSAP or provincial student loans while on a U of G study abroad program, please contact Student Financial Services
There are countless bursaries and scholarships available to Canadian students that may also be available to students studying abroad. Start researching and applying ASAP. In some cases the application deadline may be up to a year before your planned departure and often require references, transcripts, etc. that can take some time to obtain. Please see the information below on U of Guelph travel grants external scholarships for specific countries.
University of Guelph Travel Bursaries, Grants and Scholarships
Travel bursaries, grants and scholarships are available through the university for students travelling internationally on University of Guelph sponsored programs including exchanges, semesters abroad, field schools and field trips. Some are available to all students while some are program-specific.
A full list of bursaries, scholarships and grants, including how and when to apply, is available through the Student Financial Services website: University of Guelph Travel Bursaries, Grants and Scholarships
External Travel Bursaries, Grants and Scholarships
It is also possible to apply to external travel bursaries, grants and scholarships through government organizations, corporations, partner universities and not-for-profit agencies. The Centre for International Programs will inform students who have been selected to study abroad of any scholarship information that is sent to us. Here are several travel scholarships that University of Guelph students have received in the past.
- The Swedish Women's Educational Association (SWEA) offers travel scholarships to students (male or female) participating participating in an exchange program in Sweden. For more information about the application process, contact CIP.
- The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers information and funding for students studying or conducting research in Germany. Whereas University of Guelph students usually find out where they have been accepted to go on exchange in early March, the DAAD scholarship application is usually due before this. If you contact CIP, we may be able to issue a tentative acceptance letter for you before the DAAD deadline and this has worked for students in the past.
- BUTEX offers scholarships for students going on study abroad programs in the the United Kingdom.
- Global Affairs Canada offers scholarships for study and research in specific countries, particularly for graduate students