Consequences of the proposed cuts to the HOPE Scholarship present themselves in areas other than standard semester tuitions and fees.

Cuts to the HOPE scholarship may also affect students who are considering study abroad, because in most cases HOPE can be applied to the tuition of a study abroad semester. But according to Kasee Laster, director of study abroad at the University, the effects should be minimal.

Laster

“Any time people have less financial aid, it might make them think about their study abroad before they commit,” Laster said. “But I don’t think the amount they are trimming is going to keep people at home.”

The benefits of study abroad trump financial worries for senior magazine major Alicia Harper, who is participating in a travel writing study abroad trip to Cambodia this May. Harper would not be affected by the cuts as her trip is this summer, but she said she wouldn’t reconsider her trip even if the costs were affected by the HOPE cuts.

“HOPE is a big part of it because we have to pay for our own airfare,” Harper said. “But no, it wouldn’t deter me to study abroad, because it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go to a foreign country and earn credits while doing so.”

However, if students have less overall aid, a decrease in participation to some degree may be likely to occur. Even one of the most popular programs, UGA at Oxford, anticipates a slight decrease.

“Our particular program might see some dip in applications,” said James McClung, the associate director of the UGA at Oxford program. “Because of HOPE, people might need an extra shot in the arm to help cover the expenses.”

That “shot in the arm” comes in many forms. The Office of International Education offers a wide range of general scholarships — some are need-based and others are merit-based.

In addition to scholarships, students can apply for financial aid such as the Pell Grant and use it toward study abroad by filling out the FASFA form, said Nancy Ferguson, the assistant director of scholarships in the financial aid office.

“Students should apply for a lot of different scholarships,” McClung said. “There are really a surprising number of scholarships and grants, but students just don’t know where to look or who to ask.”

But Harper could not find a scholarship that fit her needs.

“When you keep reading about them there are a lot ‘ifs,’” she said. “One of them would have worked, but I am senior so I couldn’t use it.”

Laster and McClung encourage students to explore their options early.

The Office of Financial Aid had no comment on how much the HOPE cuts might affect study abroad.

“Right now, because everything is just proposed and nothing is official we cannot speculate at this time,” Ferguson said.

Whether the proposed HOPE cuts affect study abroad, the Office of International Education is ready to help students make their study abroad trip possible.

“I would certainly encourage students to come see us,” Laster said. “Don’t let money keep you from studying abroad.”