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How to Study Abroad in Community College
Explore programs offered by your community college and apply to scholarships intended for students earning an associate degree.
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About one-third of U.S. undergraduate students attend community colleges, but fewer than 1% of Americans who study abroad are working towards their two-year associate degree, according to 2021-22 data from the U.S. Education Department, U.S. State Department and the Institute for International Education (IIE).
Don’t let that small percentage scare you off: studying abroad isn’t just for students at traditional four-year schools. Community college students can earn academic credit through study abroad programs — and, in some cases, financial aid packages can cover the bill. Short-term study abroad programs led by faculty at your community college, which usually last around two weeks, may also fit into your schedule more easily than a semester-long program.
Reach out to the study abroad office at your community college to learn about the options available to you. If your school doesn’t have a study abroad office, contact your academic advisor.
Here are the basics to studying abroad in community college.
Financial aid can be used for study abroad
Study abroad programs can run thousands of dollars, but your existing community college financial aid package may cover most — or all — of the price tag. Outside of tuition and required fees, you may have to plan for study abroad costs like airfare, food and local transportation.
Federal financial aid, including loans and grants, can help you pay for study abroad. If your study abroad program is more expensive than your community college, you may also be able to request a larger financial aid package through your school’s financial aid office.
If you qualify for the Pell Grant, which provides up to $7,395 to students with financial need, you may be able to use it for study abroad. Typically, your program must take place during a standard academic term for the Pell to apply.
Some scholarships cover study abroad
Scholarships can help community college students who aim to study abroad. If you qualify for the Pell Grant, consider applying to the U.S. State Department’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, which awards up to $8,000 to recipients. The Fund for Education Abroad also offers scholarships to community college students, like the Breakout Scholarship for Community College Students.
Your school may offer study abroad scholarships to its students. Pellissippi State Community College in Knoxville, Tenn. has four different study abroad scholarships, which can cover up to 60% of a program’s cost. Mesa Community College in Mesa, Ariz. offers study abroad scholarships up to $900.
Some foreign embassies also offer scholarships. Community College in France (CCF) operates a handful of two-week, intensive summer study abroad programs for U.S. community college students. The programs cost $2,400 overall, but the French Embassy offers $1,400 scholarships to help students with financial need.
NerdWallet ratingNerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula for student loan products takes into account more than 50 data points across multiple categories, including repayment options, customer service, lender transparency, loan eligibility and underwriting criteria.
Fixed APR
3.47-17.99%
College Ave Student Loans products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply. (1)All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation. (2)As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000. (3)This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.78% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 54 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $176.21 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $18,266.38. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary. Information advertised valid as of 12/2/2024. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.
Variable APR
4.99-17.99%
College Ave Student Loans products are made available through Firstrust Bank, member FDIC, First Citizens Community Bank, member FDIC, or M.Y. Safra Bank, FSB, member FDIC. All loans are subject to individual approval and adherence to underwriting guidelines. Program restrictions, other terms, and conditions apply. (1)All rates include the auto-pay discount. The 0.25% auto-pay interest rate reduction applies as long as a valid bank account is designated for required monthly payments. If a payment is returned, you will lose this benefit. Variable rates may increase after consummation. (2)As certified by your school and less any other financial aid you might receive. Minimum $1,000. (3)This informational repayment example uses typical loan terms for a freshman borrower who selects the Flat Repayment Option with an 8-year repayment term, has a $10,000 loan that is disbursed in one disbursement and a 7.78% fixed Annual Percentage Rate (“APR”): 54 monthly payments of $25 while in school, followed by 96 monthly payments of $176.21 while in the repayment period, for a total amount of payments of $18,266.38. Loans will never have a full principal and interest monthly payment of less than $50. Your actual rates and repayment terms may vary. Information advertised valid as of 12/2/2024. Variable interest rates may increase after consummation. Approved interest rate will depend on creditworthiness of the applicant(s), lowest advertised rates only available to the most creditworthy applicants and require selection of the Flat Repayment Option with the shortest available loan term.
NerdWallet ratingNerdWallet's ratings are determined by our editorial team. The scoring formula for student loan products takes into account more than 50 data points across multiple categories, including repayment options, customer service, lender transparency, loan eligibility and underwriting criteria.
Fixed APR
3.49-15.49%
Lowest rates shown include the auto debit. Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan to a student who attends school for 4 years and has no prior Sallie Mae-serviced loans. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment. Advertised APRs are valid as of 11/25/2024. Loan amounts: For applications submitted directly to Sallie Mae, loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid received, as certified by the school. Applications submitted to Sallie Mae through a partner website will be subject to a lower maximum loan request amount. Miscellaneous personal expenses (such as a laptop) may be included in the cost of attendance for students enrolled at least half-time. Examples of typical costs for a $10,000 Smart Option Student Loan with the most common fixed rate, fixed repayment option, 6-month separation period, and two disbursements: For a borrower with no prior loans and a 4-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.28% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 119 payments of $182.67 and one payment of $121.71, for a Total Loan Cost of $23,134.44. For a borrower with $20,000 in prior loans and a 2-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.78% fixed APR, 27 payments of $25.00, 179 payments of $132.53 and one payment of $40.35 for a total loan cost of $24,438.22. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 years. A variable APR may increase over the life of the loan. A fixed APR will not.
Variable APR
4.92-15.08%
Lowest rates shown include the auto debit. Advertised APRs for undergraduate students assume a $10,000 loan to a student who attends school for 4 years and has no prior Sallie Mae-serviced loans. Interest rates for variable rate loans may increase or decrease over the life of the loan based on changes to the 30-day Average Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) rounded up to the nearest one-eighth of one percent. Advertised variable rates are the starting range of rates and may vary outside of that range over the life of the loan. Interest is charged starting when funds are sent to the school. With the Fixed and Deferred Repayment Options, the interest rate is higher than with the Interest Repayment Option and Unpaid Interest is added to the loan’s Current Principal at the end of the grace/separation period. To receive a 0.25 percentage point interest rate discount, the borrower or cosigner must enroll in auto debit through Sallie Mae. The discount applies only during active repayment for as long as the Current Amount Due or Designated Amount is successfully withdrawn from the authorized bank account each month. It may be suspended during forbearance or deferment. Advertised APRs are valid as of 11/25/2024. Loan amounts: For applications submitted directly to Sallie Mae, loan amount cannot exceed the cost of attendance less financial aid received, as certified by the school. Applications submitted to Sallie Mae through a partner website will be subject to a lower maximum loan request amount. Miscellaneous personal expenses (such as a laptop) may be included in the cost of attendance for students enrolled at least half-time. Examples of typical costs for a $10,000 Smart Option Student Loan with the most common fixed rate, fixed repayment option, 6-month separation period, and two disbursements: For a borrower with no prior loans and a 4-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.28% fixed APR, 51 payments of $25.00, 119 payments of $182.67 and one payment of $121.71, for a Total Loan Cost of $23,134.44. For a borrower with $20,000 in prior loans and a 2-year in-school period, it works out to a 10.78% fixed APR, 27 payments of $25.00, 179 payments of $132.53 and one payment of $40.35 for a total loan cost of $24,438.22. Loans that are subject to a $50 minimum principal and interest payment amount may receive a loan term that is less than 10 years. A variable APR may increase over the life of the loan. A fixed APR will not.
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Consider faculty-led study abroad programs
The vast majority of community college students who studied abroad in the spring of 2023 — 92% — opted for faculty-led programs, compared with 55% of all U.S. study abroad students, according to IIE.
Faculty-led study abroad experiences typically last between one and three weeks, and often occur over a school break. An instructor from your community college will likely lead the trip, and you’ll study alongside other students from your community college. Since the program is connected to your community college, academic credits you earn abroad will transfer easily.
Your community college may collaborate with other schools to offer more faculty-led study abroad options. For example, the Washington Community College Consortium for Study Abroad (WCCCSA) is a group of 16 community colleges in Washington state that have joined together to offer dozens of study abroad programs. Some community colleges coordinate with larger institutions, like Northern Virginia Community College, which partners with George Mason University and Virginia Commonwealth University to expand its study abroad offerings.
Choose a study abroad destination
Choosing where to study abroad can be difficult. Maybe you want to go to an English-speaking country, or maybe you want to immerse yourself in a foreign language. Location also influences currency exchange rates and total program costs.
More than three-fourths of all community college students who studied abroad in 2021-22 opted for programs in Europe, according to IIE. The next most-popular host region was Latin America and the Caribbean.
Here are the top 10 study abroad countries for community college students:
