It might not be long before studying abroad becomes more affordable for Kent State students.

Teaming together with organizations like Phi Beta Delta, International Affairs has started providing students with small scholarships to help fund their study abroad trips.

Two to five students receive the $500 Phi Beta Delta scholarships each year.

“We realize that for the typical Kent State student, finances can really be an issue for them,” said Ted McKown, associate director of international affairs.

The British American Chamber of Commerce gives out two $1000 scholarships a year to students traveling to the United Kingdom.

Some Kent colleges, such as the College of Architecture and the College of Communication and Information, give out scholarships to help students fund trips to Florence.

“When you think about funding your education when you’re studying abroad, there are some great alternatives here at Kent State so that the money you’re paying really isn’t that different than if you were here on the Kent campus,” McKown said.

Sometimes it’s actually cheaper to study abroad than to study at Kent. The first year when students went to Turkey, the university paid 10 female students’ housing expenses. Similarly, National Taichung University in Taiwan gave 10 students full-ride scholarships. The next year, they paid for five students to attend the university.

Exchange programs are another way to travel abroad. Instead of paying the host school’s tuition, students pay Kent tuition, plus the host school’s living expenses. Kent students can enjoy exchange programs in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Hong Kong, Japan and Russia.

Ediz Kaykayoglu, special assistant in the Office of International Affairs, said joining a scholar exchange program such as Fulbright Scholar Program could also help students get money toward studying abroad. The Institute of International Education acts as a middleman between students, scholar programs and scholarships.

The most important thing for students to do is to get out and search for scholarships on their own, said McKown and Kaykayoglu.

“Kent students find their own (scholarships) all the time,” Kaykayoglu said. “Sometimes it depends on the country or the major, but throughout the United States and throughout the world there are so many opportunities for scholarships.”

Contact student affairs reporter Lindsy Neer at [email protected].