On November 4, RWC Dean Cady Short-Thompson announced that she is setting aside $15,000 for financial aid to be used exclusively for students in RWC’s 2011 study abroad programs in Britain, Costa Rica, and Quebec.The Dean also allocated $8,000 to pay for travel costs of faculty leaders in the programs. Previously these costs were either transferred to students in the programs or faculty were forced to pay them out of their own pockets.
Such funding is the first of its kind in the history of Raymond Walters College and represents a substantial commitment by the Dean to support study abroad and make it available to as many students as possible.
The announcement is expected to provide a big boost in enrollment in the three programs scheduled for 2011, because the new funding will substantially lower costs for RWC students who apply for any of the programs. In 2010, both Costa Rica and Britain study abroad programs had to be cancelled for lack of enrollment. Quebec is being offered for the first time in 2011.
Lack of funds is usually cited by students as the primary reason they are unable to participate in study abroad programs.
The study abroad scholarship money will be distributed to students who apply based on need and/or merit. Students will have to apply for both the RWC money and a grant from UC International. All applicants must have a FAFSA (federal financial aid form) on file.