SAILS & Other Scholarships
Fall 2023 SAILS are open. The deadline to submit a Fall 2023 SAILS application is June 30th, 2023, at midnight. Thank you for your patience.
Information and Guidelines
If you want to study abroad, you can apply for the Study Abroad International Learning Scholarship (SAILS). This competitive scholarship provides funding for undergraduate and graduate approved international educational experiences that enrich academic and individual development. Scholarship recipients may receive either $1,500 to support a short-term (less than ten weeks) international activity or $2,500 for a long-term (ten weeks or longer) international activity (funded by Student Life and Services Fee). Preference will be given to applicants who have never received SAILS funding for an international activity. Applying for multiple international activities and terms using one application is not allowed. Only one application per international activity per term will be considered. Applications will be reviewed by the SAILS Committee (comprised of UNF students, faculty, and staff) as per the specified deadlines. The final awarding is contingent upon the rules and regulations of Financial Aid, since funds will be distributed through the UNF Office of Financial Aid. Awarding is also contingent upon acceptance to an approved international activity. Students may access the SAILS Scholarship application through their MyWings portal in Online Forms.
Please Note: Your approved study abroad experience must be associated with UNF credits during the semester of your international activity.
Eligibility Guidelines
To be eligible for a SAILS award, the program must meet one of the following criteria:
- Be a credit bearing activity
- Be part of a degree requirement
- Be credit or course related
To be eligible for a SAILS award, the applicant must (at the time of application and the time of participation):
- Be a degree-seeking UNF student
- Be in good academic standing
- Be in compliance with all University regulations, rules and codes of conduct governing students on campus
To be eligible for a SAILS award, the applicant must (at the time of application):
- Be accepted (or have applied) to an approved international activity and have an active file with the UNF International Center (i.e., have discussed international plans with an International Center Study Abroad Advisor).
- Submit one application per term (Summer B, Fall, Spring and Summer A/C)
- Be enrolled at UNF for a minimum of 6 credit hours
The essay prompt and recommender prompt for SAILS are:
- Essay #1: Provide a detailed explanation of the proposed international activity's impact on your personal, academic, and professional life.
- Recommendation Letter: A thoughtfully written letter of recommendation from a reference explaining the potential significance of the international activity on the applicant. Limit one letter of recommendation per SAILS application.
Scholarship recipients agree that upon return from the SAILS activity, they must:
- Complete a post-trip survey provided by the International Center regarding the educational/personal outcomes from their international experience.
Application Tips
- For a program to be eligible for SAILS, the program must meet one of the following criteria: be a credit bearing activity, be part of a degree requirement, or be credit or course related. All application materials should include evidence of one of these three elements.
- The SAILS Scholarship is very competitive. Remember you are competing with other students and want to have an application that stands out.
- Follow the directions! For example, stick to the 1 page limit for the essay question and use the Times New Roman, 12 point font. Remember to double space as well.
- Spend time completing your application, take it seriously and don't rush.
- For the essay, make sure you provide a detailed explanation of how the international program will impact you personally, professionally, and academically.
- You will need a thoughtfully written letter of recommendation from a reference explaining the potential significance of the international activity of the applicant. Limit one letter of recommendation per SAILS applicant. Choose a current professional reference (UNF staff or professor), and explain to them what is required for this letter. There's a prompt for the recommender. Remember the letter must be signed and on letter head.
- Let a friend read your essays to assist with editing.
- You must turn in all the application materials (application, essay, and recommendation) at the same time. Remember: just because you apply does not mean you will receive SAILS.
- You must have an active file with the UNF International Center (i.e., have discussed international plans with an International Center Study Abroad Advisor). If you are participating in a Faculty-Led trip then your professor will notify the international center of your involvement when they submit the roster for the course. This submission will generate a file for you. If you are going on a third party or exchange, then you will need to meet with a Study Aboard Advisor, as mentioned above.
IMPORTANT: SAILS is a competitive scholarship program; not all students who apply for the SAILS will receive an award.
FAQ
Eligibility Questions
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I am older than the traditional college student. Am I eligible to apply for a SAILS Scholarship?
Yes. The SAILS is not age-based. Students may apply as long as they meet all the eligibility requirements, regardless of age. -
Is my program eligible for a SAILS Scholarship?
For a program to be eligible for SAILS, the program must meet one of the following criteria: be a credit bearing activity, be part of a degree requirement, or be credit or course related. All application materials should include evidence of one of these three elements. -
I am eligible to receive funding for a SAILS Scholarship if I am participating in a third party program?
In order for a SAILS scholarship to disperse to a student's account,the student must be enrolled in UNF credits during the term of travel You must be an UNF student, this means in classes: be a credit bearing activity, be part of a degree requirement, or be credit or course related. Please remember final awarding of a SAILS scholarship is contingent upon Financial Aid policies, since this office is responsible for processing and dispersing funds.
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What if my major is listed as Non-degree seeking on my student transcript? Am I eligible to apply for a SAILS Scholarship?
No. For a student to be eligible for SAILS, the student must be a degree seeking UNF student. That means you must have a declared major and that major should be listed on your student transcript in the field called major. -
How do I know if I have an active file with the UNF International Center?
If you are participating in a Faculty-Led trip then your professor will notify the International Center of your involvement when they submit the roster for the course. This submission will generate a file for you. If you are going on a third party or exchange, then you will need to meet with a study aboard advisor and discuss your international plans.
Applying for SAILS
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Can I still apply after the deadline?
No. Once the application deadline for that particular award period passes, the application will no longer be accessible online.
Scholarship Process and Selection
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How are students selected?
Successful candidates are selected on the basis of their applications. All completed applications are evaluated by a University Committee. Once the applications have been evaluated, the International Center will notify recipients. -
I have a really high GPA and consider myself a strong candidate. Why didn't I receive a scholarship?
Every year we receive many excellent applications and have only a limited number of funds to award. Unfortunately, the applications we get from deserving students greatly outnumber the awards we have available. As such, we have a very competitive process and sometimes even strong students do not get selected.
What happens after I submit my SAILS Application?
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How will I know if I am selected as a scholarship recipient or not?
The International Center will notify all applicants of their award status by email. -
Will I be notified if I do not receive a SAILS award?
Yes, the International Center will notify all applicants by email. -
If I am selected for a scholarship, when should I expect my disbursement?
Scholarship awards are contingent upon proof of enrollment and follow the rules and regulations for the disbursement of Financial Aid. This can vary with each individual student. Disbursements will begin after the first three weeks of the beginning of the term that you are awarded a SAILS. -
Does the amount I receive in scholarships affect my eligibility for financial aid?
Yes, it can. It depends on the specific rules and regulations of Financial Aid and your individual Financial Aid package. If you have questions about this, contact One Stop Student Services. -
What are my chances of receiving a scholarship?
In general, the more applications there are, the more competitive the selection process will be. However, selection will depend largely upon how well you write your application materials.
Regarding SAILS funding and study abroad program costs
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How does my SAILS award work with study abroad program costs?
Even if you receive a SAILS you are responsible to pay for any study abroad program costs by the stated deadline. There is NO deferment of study abroad program costs if one receives a SAILS award. For most students, SAILS will be disbursed after the deadline to pay tuition and fees. -
When do I need to pay tuition and fees for a study abroad class?
Students are responsible for payment of tuition and fees by the established deadline date, as published on the University Academic Calendar. -
Where does funding for the SAILS come from?
The SAILS funding comes from the Student Life and Services Fee.
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What if I still have question after reading the above Frequently Asked Questions?
Feel free to contact the International Center at 904-620-2657 or intlctr@unf.edu
Other Scholarships & Funding
UNF Funding for Study Abroad by College
Brooks College of Health
Coggin College of Business
- Edward A. and Beryl A. Johnson Study Abroad Business Endowed Scholarship
- James Van Vleck International Endowed Scholarship (#5153)
- Jeff Steagall Endowed Study Abroad Scholarship
- Sean Michael Thomson/Study Abroad China 肖恩
- Globi Grants Scholarship
College of Arts and Sciences
- Cascone Family Study Abroad Scholarship
- Falloon Study Abroad Scholarship
- Harriet LeMaster French Scholarship
- James Van Vleck Scholarship
- James Van Vleck Promising Futures Scholarship
College of Computing, Engineering and Construction
College of Education and Human Services
Hicks Honors College
Funding for Education Abroad
National Study Abroad Scholarships
- Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
- Gilman-McCain Scholarship
- David L. Boren Scholarship
- The National Security Education Program (NSEP)
- Fulbright U.S. Student Program
- Upper Midwest Rebild Scholarship Corporation
- Bridging Scholarships-Japan
- DAAD - Germany
- Study in East or Southeast Asia
- Rhodes Scholarships
Other Funding Resources
- Fastweb
- IIE Passport
- International Student
- Go Abroad
- Scholarships.com
- Diversity Abroad Scholarships
- Study Abroad