3. Get an on-campus job

If you can’t find an internship and need a job that works around your school schedule, you can try to find an on-campus job at your university instead.

These are typically low-stress jobs working in the library or an academic building, or working as a teacher’s assistant, etc. Most on-campus jobs pay decently and you will be able to work part-time around your school schedule.

 

4. Apply for scholarships

This is the absolute BEST way to afford study abroad. It’s literally free money.

First thing to note is that your regular financial aid package should transfer when you study abroad. I was already receiving a tuition scholarship plus a grant in college, and these both transferred when I studied abroad. Talk to your university’s financial aid office to make sure, though.

You should also apply for as many study abroad specific scholarships as possible. There are lots of national study abroad scholarships out there, but for the best chances you should apply to smaller, more niche scholarships as well.

This includes scholarships offered by your university or by your specific program of study, scholarships for minorities (if applicable), scholarships for specific destinations, etc. I was able to earn two scholarships by using this strategy which added $3,500 to my financial aid package.

 

5. Cut back on luxuries

Before you leave on your study abroad, cut back on luxuries like going out to eat, going to movies/concerts, shopping, etc.

It’s a lot easier to cut back on your spending when you visualize exactly what your savings will provide you when studying abroad.

For example, the money you would spend on a new outfit or a night out at home could be a fancy meal while studying abroad or train tickets for a weekend trip.

 

6. Use points and miles

A huge way I saved money while studying abroad was by getting my round-trip flight to Paris for free using airline miles. That ticket would have cost me over $1,000 if I had bought it, but instead it cost me a little more than $10 plus airline miles.

You can rack up tons of airline miles and hotel points by signing up for travel credit cards, known as “travel hacking.” I have been doing this for years and it’s a great way to save money on travel expenses, as long as you are responsible with any credit cards you open and pay off the balance immediately without accruing interest.

Here are my favorite travel credit cards I use to travel for free. 

 

 

7. Get an international debit card

Not getting an international debit card was a huge mistake I made while studying abroad.

I used my debit card from home at ATMs to withdraw money, getting hit with an ATM fee every time. I also used my debit card for a lot of purchases, since I only had an American Express credit card at the time and they aren’t widely accepted in Europe, which cost me a lot in foreign transaction fees.

Now, I have a free Charles Schwab checking account and debit card that I use whenever I travel. This debit card allows you to use any ATM anywhere in the world with no fees. There are also no foreign transactions fees on any purchase.

The best part is that you get $100 for free when you open your Charles Schwab account. Click to here to open yours!