Recently, Vanderbilt student interest in summer study abroad programs has increased and a new proposal from Vanderbilt Student Government promises to aid students financially with the high costs.

The Global Summer Fellows Program set aside about $250,000 to distribute to students who are interested in summer study abroad.

"We saw a need for developing a way to help students who want this experience but couldn't finance it themselves due to personal constraints," said VSG Executive Vice President Wyatt Smith. "We created a model that took in need based aspects as well as merit based to provide students with financial opportunities."

The funding will provide scholarships of up to $8,500 to about 25 to 30 students for up to eight weeks of study. The scholarship will apply to Vanderbilt-approved, credit bearing summer study and Maymester programs.

"This program will benefit those students who are on financial aid or who aren't able to study abroad during the year because of things like holding leadership positions in clubs," said VSG President Joseph Williams.

According to Director of the Global Education Office Ara Pachmayer, GEO will oversee the program and a committee of representatives from GEO, the Office of Student Financial Aid, faculty and students will determine how the scholarships will be awarded.

"Our goal is to work with all students interested in studying abroad to provide them with the most enriching opportunities," said Pachmayer. "This program will be a strong draw for some students and I anticipate it to be very competitive."

According to Smith, author of the program, his research showed that in the past few years, while applications for study abroad steadily rose, the number of students who actually participated was stagnant.

"While it is not a direct correlation, it is representative of a lot of people who applied and, when looking at the bottom line cost, found it wasn't feasible for them," Smith said.

The program was proposed in the spring, developed over six months and supported by many administrators and students.

"I think this program completely supplements the recent debt reduction plan (that Chancellor Nick Zeppos implemented)," said Smith. "This money goes towards creating a system that enables every undergraduate with the opportunity to have that study abroad component which is a critical aspect of the undergraduate experience."

The program will be a part of Vanderbilt's endowment and will continue on in future years with the possibility of expansion.

The application process for these scholarships will include an essay on how the summer experience will improve the student's education and why they would participate in summer study abroad rather than study abroad during the school semester. Students applying will also be required to submit a detailed budget of their expected spending and list additional sources of income and financial aid.