Pacific Discovery Scholarships & Fellowships

We want to make our programs as accessible as possible. Although we charge the minimum we can for our programs, we recognize that they can still be difficult to fund for many families. Please note that these scholarships go directly towards the tuition costs for the program and do not include assistance towards the cost of international flights. We expect scholarship recipients to demonstrate their commitment to this opportunity by fundraising for their international flights, personal spending, and the balance of tuition. 

We have three types of financial scholarships and fellowships available for full-semester programs. We unfortunately do not offer any financial aid for summer programs. 

 

Pacific Discovery Exploration Scholarship

Spring 2024 Semester Deadline: October 31st, 2023

If you’re excited by the Pacific Discovery’s Southeast Asia Gap Semester Program, this scholarship is for you. In an effort to make this program as accessible as possible, students will be able to apply for up to $2,500 off the cost of this program. Students will be selected based on financial need, who also demonstrate an enthusiasm for cultural immersion, personal development and service learning.

Scholarship Award: up to $2,500 per student (28 scholarships available)

All students who have applied and paid the application fee for Pacific Discovery’s Southeast Asia Gap Semester Program are eligible to apply.

Students must apply before October 31st 2023 to be eligible for Spring 2024.

How to Apply:

  1. Apply to join the Southeast Asia Gap Semester and pay the application fee.
  2. Complete the Exploration Scholarship Application Form (above).
  3. Attend an informal interview call with our admissions team.

The scholarship submission deadline is October 31st, 2023 for Spring 2024 Programs. Scholarship applications will then be reviewed and awarded. Once a scholarship has been awarded, students have 14 days to pay a their program tuition to confirm their place on their chosen program.

*Payment plans are available upon request, on an individual basis.

Diverse Voices Scholarship

We value diversity, and we want international education to reflect that. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences, and we are committed to keeping it that way. This scholarship aims to encourage students from under-represented backgrounds (taking into account ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, physical disabilities, etc.) to pursue experiential education programs abroad. 

Scholarship Award: up to $5,000 each season (typically $1,000 per student - multiple scholarships may be awarded)

All students of diverse backgrounds are eligible to apply, but this must be your first experience studying abroad with an educational organization.

Once you are awarded a scholarship, you get the sweet gig of becoming a gap year ambassador. As an ambassador, you bring your gap year experience to life and complete one of the following activities during or post-program:

  • Create an engaging 3-minute video about your experience
  • Write a blog post reflecting on your experience
  • Give a presentation at your high school or college
  • Get interviewed about your gap year and program experiences
  1. Apply for the semester program you want to attend.
  2. Complete the Diverse Voices Scholarship Application Form (above).
  3. Attend an informal interview call with our admissions team.

Note: If you apply for a scholarship, we will not charge you for the application fee or deposit until we have informed you about our scholarship decision.

The scholarship submission deadline is 110 days prior to season departure. Scholarship applications will then be reviewed and awarded 100 days prior to the program's start date. Once a scholarship has been awarded, students have 14 days to pay a 50% deposit to confirm their place on their chosen program.

Financial Need Scholarship

We believe that taking a gap year shouldn’t be restricted to only those with the economic means. This scholarship aims to make this opportunity more accessible for students that demonstrate financial need. 

Scholarship Award: up to $5,000 each season (typically $1,000 per student - multiple scholarships may be awarded)

To be eligible, your family must earn less than $70,000 per year and this must be your first experience traveling abroad.

Once you are awarded a scholarship, you get the sweet gig of becoming a gap year ambassador. As an ambassador, you bring your gap year experience to life and complete one of the following activities during or post-program:

  • Create an engaging 3-minute video about your experience
  • Write a blog post reflecting on your experience
  • Give a presentation at your high school or college
  • Get interviewed about your gap year and program experiences
  1. Apply for the semester program you want to attend.
  2. Complete the Financial Need Scholarship Application Form (above).
  3. Demonstrate financial need by submitting both parents' most recent federal tax return. If you are financially supported by one parent, this needs to be detailed to us so we can best understand each student's circumstances.
  4. Attend an informal interview call with our admissions team.

Note: If you apply for a scholarship, we will not charge you for the application fee or deposit until we have informed you about our scholarship decision.

The scholarship submission deadline is 110 days prior to season departure. Scholarship applications will then be reviewed and awarded 100 days prior to the program's start date. Once a scholarship has been awarded, students have 14 days to pay a 50% deposit to confirm their place on their chosen program.

Gap Year Ambassador Fellowship

Our Gap Year Ambassador Fellows are natural storytellers that love recounting their experiences and sharing their favorite stories. This can be in a number of ways. Maybe you are an aspiring photographer or videographer, have the gift of the pen, love speaking in front of a crowd, or have a knack for engaging with people on social media platforms. Let us know what you can bring to the table to spread the word about our gap year programs to be in the running for the Ambassador Fellowship. The Fellowship includes mentorship from the marketing professionals at Pacific Discovery, and will be a great asset to your resume.

Fellowship Award: up to $2,000 each season (multiple fellowships may be awarded)

  1. Apply for the semester program you want to attend.
  2. Send your one-page proposal of your messaging strategy and the added value you bring to the table to info@pacificdiscovery.org. Add a few examples of key messages and mediums, as well as some links to writing samples, photos, videos, or social media posts.
  3. Attend an informal interview call with our admissions team.

The fellowship submission deadline is 110 days prior to season departure. Fellowship applications will then be reviewed and awarded 100 days prior to the program's start date. Once a fellowship has been awarded, students have 14 days to pay a 50% deposit to confirm their place on their chosen program.

Our students supplement the program costs in a variety of ways. We encourage you to get creative! Create a Kickstarter, find a part-time job, fundraise. Think big and small.  Each dollar adds up to one amazing adventure abroad.

External Scholarships

The American Gap Year Association has an extensive guide on scholarships that are available for students. Go check them out!

Fundraising

A popular tool for fundraising is Fund My Travel, where you set up your own fundraising page, share this with family and friends, and encourage them to support your experience by donating towards your travel costs.

Financial Aid & Grants

There are numerous financial aid options available to those who are already enrolled in college/university and plan to take academic credit or those who organize their own independent/field study or internship while on the program. We suggest that you speak with your school’s financial aid office to see if you can transfer your existing grants or loans to cover some of the costs of our tuition.

If you have not already applied for financial aid you should check to see if you are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunities Grant (SEOG grant), Federal Stafford Loan, Federal Perkins Loan, and Parent PLUS Loans for Undergraduate Students.

Any other questions?

Please email us at info@pacificdiscovery.org or call 1800-655-3415. We're here to help!

Pacific Discovery Exploration Scholarship Application

NOTE: Your scholarship application will not be considered until you've applied for the Southeast Asia Gap Semester and paid the application fee. Once you have submitted this, please complete a program application if you have not done so already.

NOTE: Your scholarship application will not be considered until you've applied for one of our programs. Once you have submitted this, please complete a program application.

Scholarship Application Form

You should submit a scholarship application at the same time that you apply for one of our programs. Please only submit a scholarship application for programs with open applications (listed above).

NOTE: Your scholarship application will not be considered until you've applied for one of our programs. Once you have submitted this, please complete a program application.