Environmental Studies in Woods Hole & at Sea
Financial Aid & Scholarships
YOU CAN AFFORD SEA SEMESTER! COMMITMENT TO AFFORDABILITY
SEA Semester is committed to working with every qualified applicant to make our programs affordable. Our Financial Aid Office works one-on-one with each student, their school, and/ or family to come up with the best possible financial package. Between merit scholarships, need-based aid, federal loans and grants, and other scholarships, we can make SEA Semester a reality for you. SEA Semester awards more than $1 million a year in gift aid and scholarships, and is currently meeting all students’ demonstrated need during the academic year. With this assistance, SEA Semester may not cost any more than what you pay at your own college or university.
We’re Here to Help The cost of higher education and study abroad programs can be daunting, and a little complicated. SEA promises to work with you to estimate program costs and to discuss available aid. We’ll help determine what outside assistance will transfer to SEA and which sources of SEA-based aid may be available.
Transferring Your Financial Aid SEA has agreements with many schools to allow the transfer of institutional aid to SEA. Federal aid, including Stafford Loans, PLUS Loans, and Pell Grants, is usually transferable (federal work-study funds are not). State scholarships and outside aid, such as community or employer scholarships, can often be transferred as well. It’s best to meet with someone in your Financial Aid Office as well as your Study Abroad Office to discuss what aid may be transferred from your institution to SEA.
SEA Semester was outside of my budget for school. But the SEA staff was able to work with me to make my dream of attending a reality. I am eternally grateful and, given the chance, would do it again in a heartbeat.” NATE GILMAN, The Evergreen State College, Environmental Marine Science Major
sea.edu/financialaid
Financial Aid Fast Facts • We’re currently meeting 100% of semester students’ demonstrated financial need. • We practice need-blind admissions during the academic year: applying for financial aid won’t affect your chance of acceptance. • Institutional aid may transfer from your home school. If you don’t receive aid from your college or university, you’re still eligible to apply for SEA aid! • Federal and state aid is almost always transferable. • There are no deadlines for SEA need-based gift aid.
Need-Based Scholarship Presidential Scholarship - $7,500 One need-based Presidential Scholarship is automatically awarded for every Fall, Winter, or Spring SEA Semester class (excludes summer programs). Based on strength of application materials and demonstrated financial need.
How to Apply Applying for SEA Semester financial aid is easy! Visit www.sea.edu/financialaid to access application materials and step-by-step instructions for gift aid and merit scholarships. All financial aid is awarded after acceptance to the program.
Merit-Based Scholarships Dean’s Awards - Up to $5,000 Multiple awards are available for every Fall, Winter, and Spring SEA Semester class (excludes summer programs). Based on academic achievement, educational experiences, and intellectual curiosity.
Endowed Awards - Up to $3,500 Additional awards ranging from $500-$3,500 are awarded throughout the academic year based on a student’s experience or excellence in areas including research, community service, leadership, and diversity. Access a full list at www.sea.edu/scholarships.
Special Scholarships A variety of additional merit awards are available including (but not limited to):
Trimester/Quarter Awards Automatic $3,000 scholarships for students enrolling in Fall, Winter, or Spring SEA Semester programs from colleges operating on a trimester or quarter calendar.
SEA Alumni Referral Awards If you learned about SEA Semester from an alum of our program, you may be eligible for an SEA award of up to $3,000 for a Fall, Winter, or Spring SEA Semester program. Prorated for summer.
Five-College Scholarship Award $5,000 merit-based scholarship for every Fall, Winter, and
Spring SEA Semester program for students from colleges in the Five-College Consortium (Smith College, Mt. Holyoke College, Amherst College, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Hampshire College). Prorated for summer.
United World College (UWC) Scholar Award Every UWC Scholar is eligible for an SEA award of up to $3,000 for a Fall, Winter, or Spring SEA Semester program. Prorated for summer.
Henry L. and Grace Doherty Endowed Journalism Scholarship $2,500 scholarship available once per year to a deserving student majoring in Journalism participating in a Fall, Winter, or Spring SEA Semester program. Prorated for summer.
Institutional Awards Students enrolled at Purdue University, Ripon College, Stonehill College, Sweet Briar College, SUNY-ESF, the University of New Hampshire, and the University of Rhode Island should contact the SEA Financial Aid Office to learn about special scholarship opportunities available only to them. Please visit www.sea.edu/financialaid for more information on all of our financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
Our goal:
For SEA Semester to cost no more than a semester on your home campus.
WHY SEA SEMESTER? EDUCATING AND INSPIRING OCEAN SCHOLARS, STEWARDS, AND LEADERS
The ocean covers nearly three-quarters of Earth, yet 90% is largely unexplored. SEA Semester provides an unparalleled opportunity to gather firsthand knowledge about the world’s oceans, and to gain valuable academic, professional, and personal skills that will serve you well into the future. Moving beyond the textbook toward field-based exploration and hands-on experience, SEA Semester prepares you to take a more active role in solving today’s environmental problems all from the unique platform of a sailing research vessel! If you’re looking to make a difference with your study abroad experience, SEA Semester may be for you.
Contact Us Virginia Land McGuire Associate Dean, Student Services & Financial Aid vland@sea.edu • 508-444-1937 Dale Dean Assistant, Student Services & Financial Aid ddean@sea.edu • 508-444-1923
Fact:
Last year, the average SEA Semester aid award was $13,600.
Sea Education Association P.O. Box 6 Woods Hole, MA 02543 800-552-3633 x770 800-977-8516 fax www.sea.edu