The University’s study abroad program will expand next academic year with the $200,000 increase to financial aid funding. | Courtesy of UH.edu

Students planning to study abroad in the next academic school year can expect more financial aid from the University, as Provost Paula Short approved a $200,000 increase to the existing funds.

“So now students will have more money — more scholarships and more students — and not only that, but the scholarship amount will be higher than it was in the past,” said Jaime Ortiz, vice provost of global strategies and studies in the Department of Academic Affairs.

The funds allotted to study abroad programs now totals $300,000 per year, according to a UH press release, and the more funds made available means more opportunities for students to study abroad. Short said she made a commitment to double the amount of students going abroad in five years.

“With the availability of meaningful scholarship awards, we expect to see an increase in the number of students graduating with a study abroad experience,” Short said in the release.

Students already planning to study abroad this summer can apply for the excess funds until May 1, something Richard Armstrong, associate professor of classical studies and study abroad coordinator for The Honors College, is telling the students he’s taking on a European tour to apply for.

Armstrong, who has advocated for students to have the study abroad experience, said that while it’s easy to put off studying abroad because of financial issues, traveling while you’re young is important to the college experience.

“No one at the age of 17, 18 or 19 has tons of money,” Armstrong said. “That’s why we have to make this happen, but it’s a big effort … and it’s a good sign that the University made this commitment.”

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“Provost approves $200K increase to study abroad scholarship funds” was originally posted on The Daily Cougar