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Study Abroad Scholarship

Guide to Online Schools provides a new type of financial aid resource with its unconventional study abroad scholarship program. Instead of choosing applicants based on the usual measures of success -- GPA, SAT scores, community involvement, etc.-- our scholarship rewards students for their natural creativity and analytical thinking.

To provide our judges with a true understanding of each applicant, he or she must answer four open-ended, personal, and thought-provoking questions. The students whose responses are the most persuasive, compelling, and well-written, as judged by our panel, will be awarded the scholarship prize.

About the Scholarship

Who?

The Guide to Online Schools Study Abroad Scholarship is for students who are enrolled in a study abroad program for the 2009-2010 school year.

Applicants must be legal residents of the United States, at least 16 years old, and enrolled in an accredited post-secondary academic institution. There are no minimum requirements regarding the duration of travel.

What?

The scholarship application includes 4 questions. Each question varies in required length with the maximum being 500 words.

One winner will be chosen based on how compelling and persuasive his/her answers are.

$2000 will be paid directly to each winner's school for tuition fees.

When?

Entries must be submitted by
03/20/2010 (05:00 AM PT)

The winner will be announced and notified by
03/31/2010

How?

  1. Read the 4 questions below.
  2. Write a compelling response for each question.
  3. Submit your responses using our online application form.
  4. Wait to find out if you are the winner!

Questions for the Study Abroad Scholarship

  1. Where do you hope to study abroad. Why? Are you currently enrolled in a study abroad program? Why did you choose this program? Please limit yourself to 500 words.
  2. There are currently 7 wonders of the world. Nominate an 8th wonder and explain why you chose it. Your answer should be approximately 300 words.
  3. Would you rather visit 52 countries in a year (about 1 per week) or stay in 1 country for a year? Why? Your answer should be approximately 300 words.
  4. What do you hope to get out of your study abroad experience? Your answer should be approximately 500 words.

Previous Winner
Photo of Harrison O'Connor Harrison O'Connor

Congratulations to Harrison O'Connor of Evergreen State College, Winner of the Fall 2009 Study Abroad Scholarship

Scholarship Response Summary

Harrison O'Connor will be studying in the Sacred Valley in the Andes of Peru during the spring of 2010. While there, Harrison hopes to address the global food crisis currently plaguing much of the country through working with the non-profit organization Campesino a Campesino. Campesino a Campesino promotes environmentally sustainable agriculture principles and teaches networking between farmers to better pool resources and knowledge. Harrison would also like to integrate himself into the culture and society as much as possible. He has been studying subjects concerning globalization and its effects on different communities and states: "This comprehensive and focused learning has culminated in my trip abroad and I am fully prepared and ready." We at Reach Network wish Harrison the best of luck as he embarks on his travels in the next year!

Scholarship Finalists
  1. Aaron Bush: Humboldt State University
  2. Kristie Weisert: Portland State University
  3. Kelly Peterson: Rowan University