Exploring JMU Study Abroad Scholarship Opportunities
Studying abroad offers invaluable academic and personal enrichment. James Madison University (JMU) provides various scholarships to help students finance their international experiences. This article explores the diverse scholarship opportunities available to JMU students seeking to study abroad.
JMU Scholarships for Study Abroad
JMU offers a range of scholarships, each with specific eligibility requirements and criteria. These scholarships are designed to alleviate some of the financial burden associated with studying abroad, but they typically do not cover the full cost. Students are encouraged to explore multiple funding sources to finance their experience.
General JMU Scholarships
These scholarships are not exclusively for study abroad but can be used to support students participating in such programs:
- Madison Awards for Academic Excellence: These are four-year renewable merit-based awards recognizing a broad spectrum of accomplishments and potential. Academic colleges and departments select recipients who demonstrate scholastic achievement within a particular area of study.
- First Generation Scholarship: This scholarship is for students whose parents/guardians have never attended college. Eligibility requirements include being an in-state student, graduating from a JMU Professor in Residence High School, and filing a FAFSA before March 1st.
- School of Music Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to music majors in the School of Music based on the amount given in their offer letter. It may partially or fully fund the award amount indicated by the scholarship letter.
- Special Education Program Scholarship: This JMU-funded scholarship provides financial resources for students enrolled in a Special Education Program within the Department of Educational Foundations and Exceptionalities. It supports students committed to majoring in a Special Education Program, pursuing post-baccalaureate licensure, or seeking a master's in teaching with a focus on Special Education.
- Betty Moxley Snyder Scholarship: This scholarship benefits full-time students in good standing at JMU on a four-to-five-year graduation track. First preference is given to residents of Buena Vista or Rockbridge County, VA.
- Dukes Pay It Forward Scholarship: This scholarship encourages alumni to contribute to future generations of students. Recipients must be in good academic standing and demonstrate financial need. The scholarship may be renewed for up to three additional years.
Specific Department and Program Scholarships
Many departments and programs offer scholarships that can be used for study abroad experiences related to their field:
- School of Media Arts and Design Scholarships:
- James Acosta Scholarship: This non-renewable scholarship is awarded to students majoring in the School of Media Arts and Design, with preference given to those with a GPA of 3.00 or higher and demonstrated financial need.
- Steven B. Buckhantz Scholarship: This scholarship is for students intending to enroll or enrolled within the School of Media Arts and Design with a journalism concentration, with a preference for students pursuing broadcast journalism.
- Lawrence Cain Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to a student in the School of Media Arts and Design who exhibits academic excellence in their field.
- Dance Program Scholarships:
- Donald H. Albright Dance Scholarship: This scholarship is for incoming freshmen majoring in Dance, with preference given to underrepresented cohorts in the Dance Program.
- Chemistry Department Scholarships:
- Donna S. Amenta Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to a deserving Chemistry student.
- Undergraduate Student Research in Chemistry Scholarship: This scholarship supports undergraduate student research in Chemistry.
- Biology Department Scholarships:
- Botanical Research Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to undergraduate or graduate students conducting botanical research in the Biology Department.
- Entrepreneurship Minor Scholarship:
- Allison M. ('92) and Andrew G. Brown Scholarship: This scholarship supports undergraduate students with an entrepreneurship minor, with preference for rising sophomores with a demonstrated passion for entrepreneurship and financial need.
- Office of Disability Services Scholarship:
- Karen Buchanan Scholarship: This scholarship supports students registered with the Office of Disability Services who demonstrate financial need.
- Geology and Environmental Sciences Department Scholarships:
- Lynn S. Rexrode, Jr. Scholarship: This scholarship supports student research and field studies for full-time rising juniors or seniors majoring in Geology and Environmental Sciences, with preference given to Geology majors and students with financial need.
- Philip R. Cosminsky Award: This scholarship is awarded to a student with outstanding service to the Geology department and university in both academic and other settings.
- Psychology Department Scholarships:
- Casey Mitschele (93) Dorsey Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to a junior or senior majoring in psychology with an overall GPA of at least 3.25.
- Exercise Science Graduate Program Scholarship:
- Judith A. Flohr Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded annually to a graduate student who would like to further pursue their study and research in girls' and women's health and fitness.
- College of Education Scholarships:
- Study Away/Study Abroad Endowment in the College of Education: This scholarship provides financial resources annually for a student participating in a College of Education Study Away/Study Abroad Program. The scholarship will be awarded to one full-time student enrolled in a teacher licensure program who is a resident of the Commonwealth of Virginia with a GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Nancy Newman Driscoll Scholarship: The scholarship is intended to support a full-time student in academic good standing who is pursuing an academic program within the College of Education who has a financial need as determined by the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.
- Honors College Scholarships:
- Parker Family Scholarship Endowment in Support of the Honors College Study Abroad Program: This scholarship benefits outstanding undergraduate student scholars who wish to study abroad.
- Edythe S. Rowley Honors Scholarship: This scholarship is established with a gift from the Estate of Edythe S. Rowley.
- Robert C. and Karen Ahrens ’80 Wheatley Scholarship Endowment for Travel Abroad: This scholarship supports the participation of first- and second-year Honors College students in JMU’s Honors study abroad programs.
Program-Specific Scholarships
Some scholarships are specifically tied to particular study abroad programs:
Read also: Comprehensive Guide to Study Abroad Scholarships
- The Holly Bachand (’84) Finchem and Timothy W. Finchem Scholarship for Study Abroad: This scholarship supports students participating in JMU Study Abroad programs.
- Michael P. ‘92 and Amanda Beard ‘93 Ross Scholarship: This scholarship awards need-based scholarships for qualifying students studying in the Semester in London study abroad program.
- Katelyn Fuller Cavelius '11, '12M and Kelsey E. Rosenberg Scholarship: This scholarship supports students participating in JMU Study Abroad programs.
Other Scholarships
- AKA Lambda Chi Chapter Scholarship: This scholarship provides funds annually for undergraduate students who are active members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Lambda Chi Chapter or under-represented undergraduate students.
- CommonWealth One Federal Credit Union Scholarship: This is an annual scholarship.
- Joseph F. (76, 77) and Pamela C. (77) Damico Scholarship: This scholarship will provide financial resources for one or more students enrolled in a Special Education Program within the Department of Educational Foundations and Exceptionalities, providing support through scholarships and funding for books to students committed to majoring in a Special Education Program, pursuing post-baccalaureate licensure, or seeking a masters in teaching with a focus in Special Education.
- Andrew ('00) and Elizabeth (00) Cooper Scholarship: This scholarship will be awarded to a student from Bergen County, NJ who demonstrates financial need. In the event that a student from Bergen County does not meet this criteria, the award will go to a student in the state of New Jersey who does meet the criteria.
- Division of Student Affairs Scholarship: The first preference shall be students who are family members of full-time employees in the Division of Student Affairs at the date of application/nomination
- Rodney J. Fallon Scholarship: This academic scholarship assists a deserving JMU undergraduate student with high morals, strong character and good academic standing who is pursuing an exciting and viable entrepreneurial endeavor.
The Application Process
To apply for undergraduate study abroad scholarships, students must complete the undergraduate scholarship application for their respective term. The scholarship committee will determine the scholarships for which students are eligible based on their answers to the application questions. Graduate students should submit the graduate scholarship application.
The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships encourages students to research scholarship opportunities and apply by the published deadlines, even if their acceptance into a program has not been confirmed yet. Students should also check the Madison Scholarships Hub and with the department of their major to research other possible scholarship opportunities. The full list can be filtered by searching for key words (i.e. study abroad).
Financial Aid and Study Abroad
Financial aid is available to students enrolled in qualifying JMU Study Abroad programs who have filed a FAFSA. Financial aid eligibility is generally determined the same way it is for a student studying on campus at JMU. The major difference in most cases is that your Cost of Attendance (COA) will be based on the anticipated expenses applicable to your study abroad program, which will be provided by the OIP. Consequently, the student does not need to contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for special consideration.
The increased costs associated with a study abroad program will normally generate additional Plus Loan eligibility, as federal and state grants are not increased based on participation in a study abroad program.
Things to keep in mind: Since summer starts the new academic year, you will have to file a new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Also, all students who need financial aid for the summer are also required to fill out a Summer Aid Application.
Read also: Requirements for TTU Abroad Scholarships
James Madison University will not send payment to your host institution. Your financial aid funds will be disbursed to you and/or your parents once you have started classes at your host institution. It is the student’s responsibility to print the “Enrollment Verification Form” below. You will need to take this form to the Registrars’ Office at your host institution and have them fax the completed form back to the Financial Aid Office. The process of disbursing your funds will not start until the Enrollment Verification Form is received in our office.
The Business Office at JMU closes from early/mid-June through early July during the summer months for year-end reconciliation. During this time no financial aid can be disbursed to a students account.
Additional Funding Options
In addition to JMU scholarships and financial aid, students can explore external scholarships and private student loans to finance their study abroad experience.
Read also: Global Opportunities with ASU
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