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
- Students who have previously received funding for any study abroad opportunity
- 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.