The Smith Center for Global Engagement announced on Nov. 11 in an email sent to the classes of 2026, 2027, and 2028 that a new scholarship pilot program will be implemented for the 2025-2026 and 2027-2028 academic years. The pilot, created in partnership with the Financial Aid office, aims to increase the affordability and accessibility of semester and year-long study abroad programs for the student body. Currently, January term programs will not be eligible for the pilot.
As it currently stands, certain study abroad programs through the Smith Center pose a financial barrier for many students. According to the Smith Center website, “all Students participating in St. Olaf College abroad/away programs pay St. Olaf tuition and additional program costs.” A spreadsheet outlining estimated program costs for the 2024-2025 academic year discloses that, while participation in some programs will cost students less as compared to having stayed on campus, participants in other programs may pay close to $9,000 more than if they had remained on campus for the semester.
Due to this financial discrepancy, the new scholarship pilot hopes to close this gap. The program will allow for students with an annual family income below $300,000 to study abroad or away “at the same cost as studying on campus.”
When a student studies away or abroad through a Smith Center semester or year-long program, they can expect to see a price tag of St. Olaf tuition plus an estimated additional program cost. $7,000 — the cost of room and board at St. Olaf — will automatically be subtracted from this price, as students will not be using these amenities while studying off campus. For families with an income under $300,000, if there is still an additional program cost after the $7,000 is subtracted, the Smith Center scholarship will step in to cover the difference. Thus, the final cost reverts back to the tuition price a student would pay had they remained on campus to study.
Additional information can be found at stolaf.edu/smithcenter.
