Do volunteer programs abroad accept the Segal Education Award?

Yes, when the program's tuition is processed through an accredited U.S. school that partners with the international provider. Most established volunteer abroad organizations offer this path.

Can I use the Segal Education Award for an internship abroad?

Yes. Supervised internships abroad in fields like healthcare, veterinary medicine, law, and marine biology are eligible on the same terms as volunteer placements, as long as tuition runs through a U.S. school partner.

Does the Segal Education Award cover flights?

No. The award covers the tuition portion, which typically includes accommodation, meals, airport pickup, and local support. Flights, travel insurance, and visa fees are paid out of pocket.

How much of a program abroad will my award cover?

It depends on your balance. Short-term placements start around $2,000, and a full-time award can fund anywhere from one week to six months abroad. Check your balance at my.americorps.gov, then compare it against program costs on the Explore page.

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Segal Education Award Eligible Programs Abroad: What Qualifies and How to Choose

The most common question we hear is some version of this: is the program I want actually eligible? The short answer is that many volunteer and internship programs abroad are, as long as the tuition side runs through an accredited U.S. school. Here is how eligibility works and how to choose well.

By Kristal Sawatzke|Updated August 30, 2026|6 min read

The rule behind every eligible program

Your Segal Education Award is never paid to an organization abroad. It is paid to a Title IV accredited U.S. school that has a formal partnership with the international provider. When a volunteer or internship program says it accepts the award, that school partnership is what makes it possible.

This is good news. It means eligibility is not about the country or the project type. It is about the payment path. If the program routes tuition through a U.S. school, the award can follow.

What kinds of programs qualify

Two broad categories of programs abroad work with the award today, and both run on six continents.

Volunteer placements: structured service work abroad, from teaching and childcare to conservation, construction, and community health. Durations run from 1 to 24 weeks.
Internship placements: supervised, resume-ready work in fields like healthcare, veterinary medicine, law, marine biology, and business. Durations run from 2 to 24 weeks.

What the award can pay for

The award covers the tuition portion of the program, which typically bundles the parts of the experience that cost the most.

Program registration and tuition fees
Accommodation for the length of your placement
Meals, on most programs
Airport pickup and in-country orientation
Local staff support for the duration of your stay

What it does not cover

Flights are the big one. Plan for your round-trip airfare, travel insurance, and any visa fees out of pocket. A realistic all-in budget for most destinations adds $800 to $1,800 on top of what the award covers, depending on how far you fly.

How to choose between eligible programs

Once you know a program is eligible, the eligibility question is answered. The better questions are about fit. Start with the placement type and focus area, not the destination. A teaching placement in Morocco and a teaching placement in Peru have more in common than two different programs in the same city.

Then check three numbers: your available award balance, your expiry date, and the program's total cost including the flight. A short-term placement starts around $2,000 all in, while a full-time award can fund up to six months abroad.

Where to look

We track award-eligible volunteer and internship programs from partners we trust, across 50+ destinations. Every program on our Explore page is eligible, with costs, housing, and meals listed per placement.

Not sure where to start? The Pathfinder matches your interests, budget, and timeline to specific placements in about a minute.

Quick answers

Do volunteer programs abroad accept the Segal Education Award?: Yes, when the program's tuition is processed through an accredited U.S. school that partners with the international provider. Most established volunteer abroad organizations offer this path.
Can I use the Segal Education Award for an internship abroad?: Yes. Supervised internships abroad in fields like healthcare, veterinary medicine, law, and marine biology are eligible on the same terms as volunteer placements, as long as tuition runs through a U.S. school partner.
Does the Segal Education Award cover flights?: No. The award covers the tuition portion, which typically includes accommodation, meals, airport pickup, and local support. Flights, travel insurance, and visa fees are paid out of pocket.
How much of a program abroad will my award cover?: It depends on your balance. Short-term placements start around $2,000, and a full-time award can fund anywhere from one week to six months abroad. Check your balance at my.americorps.gov, then compare it against program costs on the Explore page.

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