IES Abroad's High-Impact Aid Commitment

At the 2023 IES Abroad Annual Conference, we shared exciting updates about the launch of our IES Abroad High-Impact Aid Commitment, which is our new approach to awarding need-based aid and scholarships. 

The High-Impact Aid Commitment Program furthers IES Abroad’s commitment to increasing access and equity within study abroad. Our fresh approach to financial aid focuses on funding transparency and supporting students with financial need.

We’re excited to announce that beginning Spring 2025, IES Abroad students with financial need will be eligible for up to $7,000 in financial aid for semester programs, and up to $3,000 for summer programs.

Highlights of the High-Impact Aid Commitment

• Students will be awarded financial aid based on their Expected Family Contribution/Student Aid Index amount from the FAFSA.
• Students only need to know their Expected Family Contribution/Student Aid Index amount to know how much funding they will be eligible for, even before applying.
• The only step students need to take to be considered for financial aid is to submit a short financial aid application, uploading their FAFSA, and answering a few short answer questions.
• Students will learn their full aid amount within 5 business days of submitting their financial aid application.
• IES Abroad will communicate students’ funding amounts to their school's study abroad office right away to make it easier to work with students and other offices on campus.
• International students are also eligible for financial aid based on whether they receive need-based aid from their home institution.

IES Abroad launched the High-Impact Aid Commitment pilot in Spring 2024 with a group of 12 institutions representing schools across our Consortium.

We've received more than three times as many financial aid applications from pilot school students compared to this time last year, and students with the highest need are receiving an average of $2,000 more in financial aid.

And, there’s a nearly 200% increase in confirmed participation from Pell-eligible students!

In the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing more information with our Consortium members regarding their institutions respective financial aid policies related to study abroad.

We look forward to continuing to make study abroad an accessible experience to all students.
 

More About IES Abroad Financial Aid

We offer $6 million in scholarships and aid to IES Abroad study abroad and internship students. From automatic public university grants to diversity scholarships to need-based aid, our funding portfolio is designed to support students at various levels of financial need in making study abroad a reality.

Learn more about our scholarships and aid. For any inquiries, please contact financialaid@IESabroad.org.