Experiential Learning Funds
Study Abroad Funding
The application for Fall 2026 & Spring 2027 short-term abroad programs is open now.
Summer Learning Funding
The application for Summer 2027 opens in March.
FAQ’s
Where does our funding come from?
Funding is not from the institution, all funding is from private gifts given by donors specifically for First-Generation Wake Forest students. The amount of funding available can fluctuate from year to year. Your financial aid covers 8 semesters and summer funding is not guaranteed.
What is eligible for funding?
- Summer abroad programs
- Fall/Spring short-term programs
- Summer on-campus housing
- Summer meal plans on campus
- Internships (travel to & from the internship, set up living expenses)
- Summer classes
Are there other opportunities to get funding?
- Financial Aid Office’s summer financial aid application. *Application will be available in late spring.
- Other institutional scholarships (through GPS, Intercultural Center, OPCD, Summer Business program, etc.)
Priorities for Awarding Funding
- Graduating seniors (classes/who have never studied abroad)
- Juniors who are off track for graduation
- People who are blocked from opportunities to study abroad due to institutional conflict
- Students who need to raise their GPA to maintain scholarship status
- First-year students/rising sophomores
- Summer Abroad opportunities available in fall/spring
- Taking courses “to get ahead, just for fun or noncritical to graduation”
- Summer study abroad trips when you have previously studied abroad
- If your study abroad trip is canceled and is converted to an independent study.
- Independent Study Abroad Trips will not afford a refund larger than books or course expenses.
- Study Abroad Trip Deposits.
Examples:
We will not fully fund Anna’s trip.
We will not fully fund Sportsbiz for Nick.
Amy is a rising senior taking two on-campus classes during Summer Session 1 for a total of 6 hours to stay on track to graduate in May. She is living on campus and has a meal plan.
- We will fund tuition for both classes. Depending on available funds housing and meal plan could get covered, but this is not guaranteed.
Jack is a rising sophomore and failed two classes during the academic year. He is retaking both classes during Summer Session 1 and Summer Session 2 to increase his GPA for her scholarship. Both classes are online, but he wants to live on campus.
- We would cover her tuition for both classes. Jack would need to meet with his First in the Forest advisor to discuss why he needs/wants to be on campus.
Bob is a rising sophomore and is taking three online summer classes because he wants to get ahead. He is not living on campus.
- Depending on funding, we might cover one course, but it would be highly unlikely that we would fund all three courses.
Sammy is a rising JR and has never been abroad. They are looking to take
advantage of a summer abroad opportunity. She paid the $500 deposit and is now looking to get help to cover the program cost of $5,000. She applied for scholarships from GPS and is getting $1,500 covered.
- Because Sammy has never been abroad, they are a rising JR, and they applied for a GPS scholarship, we would likely cover the remaining $3,500.