Students dreaming of taking a term to study overseas can now receive added help from the provincial government.

The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities has announced $3.5 million in scholarships for students who want to study or have a co-op placement abroad, as part of the Ontario International Education Opportunity Scholarships.

College or university students who choose to go abroad for eight weeks or more can receive up to $2,500. Students with shorter stays can qualify for up to $1,250 in funding.

In total 1,400 scholarships are expected to be available.

“These programs offer an enriching international experience to students,” said Dan Moulton, vice-president university affairs for the University Students’ Council. “These programs stimulate personal development.”

Patrick O’Gorman, MTCU spokesman, praised the program for helping students enjoy new experiences.

“It helps build experience in international relations; it helps build ties between our universities and foreign universities,” he said.

Rebecca Denby, international exchange co-ordinator for Student Development Services at Western, expressed hope the scholarships would help students overcome financial barriers when looking to study abroad.

Officials addressed potential fears the funding could leave out students who do not opt to go on exchange.

“We’re not talking about a huge amount of money being diverged towards students who go the extra mile and leaving out those students who just want an education in Ontario,” said Alexi White, executive director of the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance.

White added the government should not have to choose between funding those students who go abroad and those who do not.

“We would like to see more money for grants and even for loans across the province,” he said.

Denby also felt students should be able to afford to study abroad as well as in Ontario.

“We don’t want  [finances] to prevent students from going abroad,” Denby, said. “Our students definitely will receive those scholarships.”

According to Denby there are 157 Western students studying overseas this academic year, and 110 of them received scholarships.

“Once you’re accepted for exchange [the] likelihood for receiving a scholarship is actually quite high.” Denby added.

According to O’Gorman, students can apply for OIEOS through their financial aid office. Students will qualify based on academic merit and financial need.

These scholarships supplement the many already available, Denby added.

“We’re looking at just providing more opportunities in general both here and overseas,” O’Gorman said.