By MANDY THOMAS

ajt008@latech.edu

 

Opportunities abound for Tech students to study abroad — all they must do is open their eyes. Fliers, brochures, banners, posters and announcements are plastered on every bulletin board, posted throughout Tech’s Web site and sent out constantly by mass e-mails.

Programs offered at Tech range from semesters in Paris, several summer months in Costa Rica, simple within-the-nation exchanges and a number of independent curriculums, all set up by national study abroad vendors.

Stephanie Rutherford, a junior biology major, jumped on a study abroad offer after she saw a flier posted in Carson-Taylor Hall about a program called Biology Australia.

“I received an e-mail about the program, and then I attended an informational meeting,” Rutherford said. “Then there was a fairly easy application and interview process.”

Rutherford said she and three other Tech students, along with 10 students from the University of New Mexico-Albuquerque, were chosen to spend four weeks in three to four different areas of Australia.

Rutherford said the group will spend time in the mountains and rain forests, and the last two weeks will be spent on an island on the other side of the Great Barrier Reef.

“We will be doing a lot of field work, learning new research techniques and how to do experiments,” Rutherford said. “Where we are staying is not roughing it, but it’s not exactly luxury suites either.”

Of course, once a student has chosen their ideal course of travel, several questions quickly arise, many of which deal with money.

Rutherford applied and received a study abroad scholarship awarded by the department of academic affairs.

Margaret Alexander, an assistant of academic administration, said the college deans and the president provided scholarship money for three Tech students planning to study abroad.

“The International Education Committee held the interviews and selected the students,” Alexander said.

Alexander said applications were due last week, and of the ten students who turned in applications, three students were awarded the scholarships based on the students academic records, study abroad program goals and interview.

Aimee Baxter, an assistant director of financial aid, said most questions from students come from fliers that often say financial aid is available. Baxter said this statement can be misleading, but can also be beneficial.

“The first thing we must find out is if the student already receives federal financial aid,” Baxter said.

If such is the case, Baxter said the financial aid department can then work with the student to plan how the student’s loan money, or TOPS money, can be distributed and budgeted towards their specific study abroad program.

If the student does not receive federal financial aid, the student can apply for federal financial aid by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or applying for a student loan.

“What we can do here in the financial aid office is limited to federal aid and is very circumstantial, based on the student’s current aid and study abroad program,” Baxter said.

Baxter said any student who is  serious about studying abroad should find out as much information as possible about the program. Baxter also said any student is welcome to come by the financial aid office and ask questions or leave his or her personal information for additional answers regarding federal financial aid.