Funding a Semester Abroad: Grants, Scholarships and Top-Up Loans for ASEAN Exchange Students

Your Home University's Mobility Grant

Start with your own international office, since your university is the party the exchange agreement runs through and usually holds the first grant round. Many universities set aside a mobility fund for outgoing exchange students, separate from any government scholarship, that partially covers flights or a living stipend. Ask for the exact eligibility rules, since some funds limit awards to students with a minimum GPA or to specific partner universities.

Government Scholarships for a Semester Abroad

Several ASEAN governments run dedicated semester-abroad scholarships that stack on top of a university exchange placement. Indonesia's Indonesian International Student Mobility Awards (IISMA) , run by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research and Technology, funds a full semester for Indonesian undergraduates at partner universities abroad and ranks among the larger government-backed mobility schemes in the region.

The ASEAN International Mobility for Students (AIMS) programme, supported by member state education ministries, places students at partner universities within ASEAN for a semester. Funding varies by host institution. At Mahidol University International College, selected students receive THB 80,000 to cover a return flight, visa fee, health insurance, and living expenses. Check with your international office whether your university participates in AIMS and what funding your specific host institution offers.

Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility Grants

If your university has a partnership with a European institution under Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility, apply for the grant through your home university, not directly to the European Commission. The scheme funds study periods of 3 to 12 months at a European partner and typically includes a monthly stipend set by the sending institution plus a contribution toward travel costs, detailed in the European Commission's ICM handbook for partner countries . Ask your international office whether your university holds an active ICM inter-institutional agreement, since not every university has one and places are limited each intake.

Top-Up Loans and Family Budget

Even with a grant, most students still cover a gap between the award and actual costs, especially in cities with a high cost of living. A short-term loan from a family member, a part-time job before departure, or a bank's education loan product covers the difference for many students. Compare a loan's total repayment cost against the benefit of a single semester abroad before you commit to one.

Building Your Funding Stack

Apply to every source you are eligible for in parallel rather than waiting for one result before trying the next, since most exchange grants, government scholarships, and university mobility funds are not mutually exclusive. Start applications at least one semester ahead of travel, since intake rounds for government scholarships and Erasmus+ ICM close months before the term starts. Keep a simple spreadsheet of each grant's deadline, required documents, and funding amount so you do not miss a round while waiting on another application's result.