More than $80,000 was awarded in scholarship assistance this fall as hundreds of Elon University students participate in semester study abroad programs that have seen strong growth in recent years.
A key piece of the Elon Commitment is providing complete access to global study. This fall, the Global Education Center awarded $54,150 in scholarships. Students received $30,500 from outside sources, including the prestigious and highly competitive Gilman Scholarship.
Caley Mikesell, a junior studying public health, is spending the semester studying with the NC Consortium in Quito, Ecuador, with an award from the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program.
“Creating a life here in Quito has been a rich learning experience and an adventure for me,” Mikesell said. “I’ve really enjoyed getting to know the various cultures here, exploring the nooks and crannies of Quito, and adventuring to different parts of the country. My absolute favorite experience has been stretching my Spanish to make meaningful connections with locals.
“The Gilman scholarship has not only played a big role in making study abroad financially feasible for me, but as I work with the organization to set up a local internship, I anticipate that it will even further enrich my life here.”
Financial aid plays an important role in Elon’s goal of 100 percent access to global study. The university is currently increasing the amount of need-based aid offered to students participating in global experiences to nearly $500,000 in the next three years.
Students who have not participated in an Elon Global Engagement program qualify for the GEC Access Scholarship – a need-based award to provide access to the many study abroad & Study USA programs offered at Elon.