Originally, Pinnacle and Clark Scholars were limited to only one stipend during the J-Term. However, due to increasing popularity, it will now be possible to use two stipends for J-Terms. Stevens hopes this will encourage more of these students to take advantage of study abroad and experiences outside of the classroom.
Pinnacle and Clark Scholars receive three $5,000 stipends during their time at Stevens. Previously, only one of these stipends could be used for research or study abroad opportunities over the summer. However, the program was expanded two years ago to allow seniors who may have otherwise missed a study abroad opportunity due to COVID-19 to use the stipend during winter break, also known as J-Term. Due to its popularity, flexibility, and lower cost, the ability to study abroad over the J-Term was expanded to all Pinnacle and Clark Scholars.
Because of GPA requirements and earlier deadlines, first-year students are not eligible for J-Term. Scholars can start exploring winter term options during their sophomore year. Moreover, seniors must have at least one stipend remaining to be eligible. If students want to use their stipend during a J-Term a second time, it’s highly recommended to do so during their senior year. International experiences can range from standard study abroad, research abroad, or even service abroad.
After their international program, Scholars are expected to volunteer in assisting with study abroad fairs or student panels. Furthermore, they are required to submit a two-page reflection report. If the report isn’t submitted on time, they are ineligible to use future stipends until the report is submitted.
There are many opportunities for everyone to study abroad, especially during J-Term. On September 24, IFSA held an info session on their various J-Term programs, including ones for countries like Spain, Italy, Mexico, and Costa Rica. Another info session from IES explores the beauty of the Galapagos Islands. There are plenty of other countries to discover, such as France, Chile, South Korea, Portugal, Greece, England, and the Czech Republic.
Despite the lower costs, studying abroad for J-Term can still be expensive and can exceed the $5,000 stipend afforded to students. However, there are plenty of scholarships to apply for, which can help alleviate the cost burden of studying in another country. The Gilman Scholarship helps students who qualify for a Federal Pell Grant. While the deadline passed for winter and spring terms, the application for summer 2025 opens in mid-January. Those interested will have to complete two essays to be considered for awards of up to $5,000, depending on financial need and length of program. Applicants may be eligible for additional supplements like the Critical Need Language Award (CNLA), which awards up to $3,000, and the STEM Supplemental Award (STEM), which awards up to $1,000.
The program providers also have additional scholarships for financial aid. IES lets you know your potential financial aid within five business days, even before you apply. Their deadline for J-Terms is November 1. Meanwhile, TEAN provides the Global Opportunity (GO) Full-Ride Scholarship, which gives a stand-out student a full ride (up to $15,000) to any of their programs. ISA has a similar full-ride scholarship with only one recipient. The deadline for both scholarships is October 30. In particular, IFSA has various options to aid in flight payment. If you applied by October 15, you could win one of ten $1,000 flight vouchers or a $1,000 flight and culture package. Furthermore, if you bring a friend to one of their January term programs, both will receive a $500 cultural grant. IFSA’s J-Term programs have already been pre-approved by Stevens for transfer credit.
Furthermore, your available financial aid allocation could change depending on your selected program. Stevens scholarship and aid can’t be applied to study abroad programs, but you could be eligible for federal financial aid to approved study abroad programs. Private loans are another option, and if you already have them, contact your lender to see if they can be applied to study abroad.
Studying abroad creates opportunities outside the classroom, both personally and professionally. Many students find this especially true during J-Term because of the fewer crowds and the increased variety of available excursions. It’s a chance to sharpen any student’s confidence, communication skills, and preparedness for life after college.
