Affordability and Financial Assistance

Admissions

With over $1 million in financial assistance available annually, SEA is committed to working with students, their families, and their home institutions to support access and make participation in our programs a reality. SEA has funds available to assist students who demonstrate financial need. We carefully assess each student’s financial situation based on the SEA financial assistance application, submitted financial documentation, and any requested follow up information.

If you have questions regarding SEA’s financial assistance, please contact [email protected] or call 508-444-1916.

Undergraduate Students

  • SEA has partnerships and billing arrangements with many colleges and universities. Please check with your study abroad office for more information about their billing arrangement with SEA.
  • Federal and state aid, including loans, should transfer in most cases when the program is approved for academic credit.
  • Many institutions also transfer institutional aid and scholarships to support participation in SEA programs.
  • Some institutions will recalculate your financial aid eligibility based on the cost of your SEA program.
    SEA will work with you and your home institution to determine how best to meet any demonstrated financial need.

How to Apply

For priority consideration for all available SEA funding, students must submit financial aid applications by these deadlines:

Fall Programs

April 15

Spring Programs

October 15

Summer Programs

March 15

The SEA financial aid application is available in the student application portal.

Designated and Affinity Scholarships

SEA has a variety of funds and works with a range of organizations and institutions to facilitate access to SEA programs. Students with these affiliations may apply for, or automatically receive, funds to assist in meeting tuition costs.

Bermudian National Scholarship

SEA will match the scholarship value for any student award from The National Transportation Board or the Bermuda Zoological Association. Please apply using our regular financial aid application and include details of your NTB or BZA scholarship.

Killam Canadian National Scholarship

One scholarship of up to $5,000 per year for a Canadian resident participating in a SEA undergraduate program.

Henry L. and Grace Doherty Endowed Journalism Scholarship

One $2,500 scholarship per year for a journalism major participating in a SEA undergraduate program.

PEP Scholarship

Students who have completed the Woods Hole Partnership Education Program are eligible to receive a $15,000 scholarship towards their participation in a SEA undergraduate program.

SEA Coastal Communities Scholarship

The SEA Coastal Communities Scholarship offers need-based awards to students indigenous to the island communities where SEA programming takes place. This includes, but is not limited to, students from the Republic of Kiribati, Hawai’i, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Tahiti. To apply for this award, students should indicate their interest and describe their eligibility by emailing a statement of no more than one page to [email protected] as part of the SEA financial aid application submission.

Five-College Scholarship Award

One $5,000 merit-based scholarship for each fall and spring SEA program for students from the Five-College Consortium (Smith College, Mt. Holyoke College, Amherst College, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, Hampshire College). Deadlines: April 15th for Fall programs, October 15th for Winter and Spring programs. A faculty nomination is required.

HBCU and Tribal Colleges Award

SEA awards an automatic scholarship of $15,000 to any student from a Historically Black College or University or a Tribal College participating in a SEA semester undergraduate program. The amount of the award will be prorated for SEA summer programs.

The SEA financial aid application is available in the student application portal.

Affinity Awards

  • SEA Alumni Referral Awards: up to $1,000
  • SEA Collaborative Program Awards: up to $3,000
  • SEA Gap Program Alumni Awards: up to $5,000
  • SEA High School Summer Program Alumni Awards: $500-$3,000
  • SEA Family Awards: up to $3,000
  • SEA Alumni Awards: up to $3,000
  • Semester by the Sea Alumni Awards: up to $3,000
  • Tall Ships America Participant Award: up to $1,500
  • Thoreau Scholars Award: up to $3,000
  • United World College (UWC) Scholar Award: up to $3,000
  • US Sailing Scholarship: up to $3,000

High School

Investment in one of SEA’s summer programs, provides high school students the opportunity to explore their passion for the ocean. Students gain skills and experience that help them prepare to meet their academic and career goals. SEA understands that students have many options for summer activities and works individually with families to make a SEA summer program a reality.

  • Upon acceptance to SEA, families have the opportunity to apply for need-based financial assistance.
  • Financial aid decisions are reviewed on a rolling basis after students have been accepted.
  • After the application deadlines have passed, funds may no longer be available for your first choice program.

The SEA financial aid application is available in the student application portal. Families may be asked to submit their federal tax return in addition to the high school financial aid application.

Designated Scholarships

SEA has a variety of funds and works with a range of organizations and institutions to facilitate access to SEA programs. Students with these affiliations may apply for, or automatically receive, funds to assist in meeting tuition costs.

Woods Hole Children’s School of Science Award

Any former student of Woods Hole Children’s School of Science will receive a $750 scholarship for a high school program upon demonstrating financial need.

Cape Cod & Islands Scholarship

Year-round residents of Cape Cod and the Islands with demonstrated financial need are eligible for awards of up to $3,000.

SEA Alumni Award

Any student who completes an SEA high school program will receive a $500 scholarship for a subsequent high school program.

The SEA financial aid application is available in the student application portal.

Affinity Awards

  • SEA Alumni Referral Awards: up to $1,000
  • SEA Collaborative Program Awards: up to $3,000
  • SEA Gap Program Alumni Awards: up to $5,000
  • SEA High School Summer Program Alumni Awards: $500-$3,000
  • SEA Family Awards: up to $3,000
  • SEA Alumni Awards: up to $3,000
  • Semester by the Sea Alumni Awards: up to $3,000
  • Tall Ships America Participant Award: up to $1,500
  • Thoreau Scholars Award: up to $3,000
  • United World College (UWC) Scholar Award: up to $3,000
  • US Sailing Scholarship: up to $3,000

Gap Students

Investing in a gap program with an academic focus provides students with college-level coursework and research experience prior to their matriculation in a degree-granting institution. Research shows that these students perform at a higher level during their undergraduate years. SEA is committed to working with families to make a gap semester financially possible.

  • 529 plans have often been approved for use for an SEA gap program. We encourage Students who are interested in utilizing funds from 529 plans are encouraged to talk to the savings fund agency to determine whether or not these funds can be used to pay for program fees, as the rules for each fund vary.
  • While SEA cannot make these determinations for you, we can help in navigating these conversations with your savings fund agency.
  • Payment plans may be available upon request.

How to Apply for Aid & Scholarships

For priority consideration for all available SEA funding, students must submit financial aid applications by these deadlines:

Fall Programs

May 15

Spring Programs

October 15

The SEA financial aid application is available in the student application portal. If you have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you need to submit your FAFSA Submission Summary. If you have not completed the FAFSA, you will be asked to submit your family federal tax returns.

Affinity Awards

  • SEA Alumni Referral Awards: up to $1,000
  • SEA High School Summer Program Alumni Awards: $500-$3,000
  • SEA Family Awards: up to $3,000
  • US Sailing Scholarship: up to $3,000