The idea behind Semester at Sea is to offer a study-abroad program where students live and learn aboard a ship while visiting countries around the world.
So, in this program, instead of spending a semester at one overseas university, you have a floating campus, take university courses onboard, and use each port as an opportunity for academic fieldwork and cultural exploration.
For students researching a Semester at Sea Scholarship for the 2027–2028 application cycle, however, the biggest question is not simply where the ship goes. It is whether the program is affordable, what financial aid is available, what students actually study, and how to apply.
This guide answers those questions and walks you through the Semester at Sea cost, courses, itinerary, student portal, scholarships, eligibility requirements, and application process.
What Is Semester at Sea?
Semester at Sea, just as the name suggests, is a study-abroad program that involves students from multiple countries which combines a degree program with the opportunity to sail around the world.
In this program, students live aboard a ship that serves as their home, classroom, and community while the voyage visits different countries and regions.
The whole idea is designed around experiential learning. Students do not simply visit destinations as tourists. Their coursework can include field classes and learning experiences connected to the countries they visit.
Semester at Sea currently welcomes several categories of students, including undergraduate students, gap-year students, recent college graduates, and international students.
That combination makes Semester at Sea particularly different from a conventional university exchange program: in this case, your classroom moves with you.
Is Financial Aid Available in Semester at Sea?
Yes. Semester at Sea offers scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial assistance to help students manage the cost of participating.
According to the program, approximately 60% of students receive some form of financial aid or scholarship on each voyage.
Available funding can include:
- Merit grants
- Need-based grants
- Pell Grant matching
- Student Assistant opportunities
- International student scholarships
- Special scholarships and grants tied to particular eligibility criteria
- Other institutional and externally funded awards
The important thing to understand is that a Semester at Sea Scholarship is not necessarily one single scholarship with one fixed award amount. There are multiple funding opportunities, and eligibility varies by award.
Some awards are based on financial need, while others consider academic achievement, leadership, background, university affiliation, or other requirements.
Can International Students Apply for Semester at Sea Scholarships?
Yes.
International students are eligible to apply for certain Semester at Sea financial-aid opportunities. The program specifically provides funding opportunities for students who study outside the United States.
For example, the International Student Advancement Award is designed for students enrolled at a university outside the United States and has historically offered awards ranging from $3,500 to $10,000.
International students who cannot submit the FAFSA may instead be asked to provide documentation concerning their parents’ income, with English translation and conversion to U.S. dollars where required.
This is particularly important for students researching the program from outside the United States: you should not assume that being an international student automatically excludes you from Semester at Sea funding.
How Much Does Semester at Sea Cost?
The Semester at Sea cost is one of the most important factors to consider before applying.
For the Fall 2027 voyage, the currently published program fees list:
- Standard cabin: $36,200
- Premium cabin: $41,200
These program fees cover considerably more than tuition alone.
The published program fee includes:
- Semester tuition and travel
- Housing aboard the ship
- Meals
- Shipboard amenities
- Academic Field Classes
- Shipboard email account
- Starter internet package
- Comprehensive travel health insurance
- Pre-voyage advising
- Residential student services
- Fuel fee, subject to applicable changes
- Environmental Impact Offset Fee
However, do not treat the program fee as the complete amount you will spend during the semester.
Additional expenses can include:
- Flights to the embarkation port
- Travel from the final port after disembarkation
- Accommodation before embarkation
- Visa expenses
- Passport-related costs
- Textbooks
- Required vaccinations
- Laundry
- Additional food and beverages
- Personal travel while in port
- Optional Semester at Sea Field Programs
- Any applicable additional fuel surcharge
Because fees can change, you should use the official Semester at Sea cost calculator when preparing your budget.
For students comparing this opportunity with other scholarships, you may also want to explore our guide to ACI Foundation Scholarships for 2027 as another example of scholarship funding available for students pursuing academic and professional opportunities.
Semester at Sea Itinerary: Where Will Students Go?
The Semester at Sea itinerary changes from voyage to voyage, which is one of the program’s biggest attractions.
For Fall 2027, the currently published voyage runs from September 9 to December 22, 2027.
The voyage begins in IJmuiden, Netherlands, and ends in Hong Kong.
The published Fall 2027 itinerary includes destinations across four continents, with stops including:
- Portugal
- Morocco
- Brazil
- St. Helena
- South Africa
- Mauritius
- Sri Lanka
- Singapore
- Vietnam
- Taiwan
- Hong Kong
The Fall 2027 voyage is scheduled for approximately 104 days, visiting 11 countries and 11 cities.
The semester at sea itinerary has also been updated during the planning process, so you should always check the official voyage page for the latest port information rather than relying on blog posts or social-media itineraries.
What About Semester at Sea Spring 2028?
The Spring 2028 voyage provides another option for students whose academic calendar does not work with Fall 2027.
The voyage is scheduled to begin on January 5, 2028, in Hong Kong and conclude in Germany in April 2028.
The current published itinerary includes destinations in Asia, Africa, and Europe, including:
- Hong Kong
- Vietnam
- Singapore
- Malaysia
- India
- Kenya
- South Africa
- Ghana
- Morocco
- Scotland
- Germany
The Spring 2028 voyage is planned as a little over 100 days of international study and travel.
Because itineraries can change before departure, you should regard the official Semester at Sea voyage page as the definitive source when planning.
What Are Semester at Sea Courses Like?
Another major question prospective applicants often ask is: What do you actually study on Semester at Sea?
Semester at Sea offers university-level courses across numerous academic disciplines.
The Fall 2027 voyage is scheduled to offer approximately 70–72 course sections, with courses approved through the program’s academic partner, Colorado State University.
Students take four courses for a full-time load of 12 credits, including the required IE 200 Global Studies course.
The remaining courses can be selected from the available academic offerings.
Examples of fields and subjects represented in Semester at Sea coursework can include:
- Art
- Communication Studies
- Business
- Economics
- Political science
- Sociology
- History
- Environmental studies
- International studies
- Psychology
- Science
- Humanities
- Other interdisciplinary subjects
Course availability changes from voyage to voyage.
That means you should not choose Semester at Sea based on a course you saw listed for a previous voyage without checking whether it is available for your intended semester.
Semester at Sea Fieldwork Work?
The academic experience does not end when the ship reaches port.
Semester at Sea integrates Field Classes into the curriculum. These are experiential learning opportunities connected to students’ coursework and take place in destination countries.
For Fall 2027, each course, including Global Studies, is scheduled to have an experiential Field Class in one of the port cities.
This creates an important difference between studying international subjects from a classroom and studying them while physically visiting the places being discussed.
Will Semester at Sea Credits Transfer to My University?
You should discuss credit transfer with your home university before registering for courses.
Semester at Sea recommends having multiple courses pre-approved by the student’s home institution because course registration is first-come, first-served.
For Fall 2027, you are advised to have at least seven courses pre-approved so they have alternatives when registration opens.
This is an important step because the program may offer an excellent course, but that does not automatically mean your home institution will apply it toward your specific degree requirements.
Speak with your academic advisor or study-abroad office early.
Semester at Sea Student Portal: What Is It Used For?
The Semester at Sea student portal becomes especially important after admission.
It is designed to help accepted students manage the many details involved in preparing for their voyage.
According to Semester at Sea, the student portal can provide information about:
- Important dates and deadlines
- Funding and payments
- Academic and course selection information
- In-port travel
- Health and safety
- Travel arrangements to the ship
- Roommate requests
- Other pre-voyage requirements
If your voyage is less than 12 months away, Semester at Sea says you will receive login information for the student portal.
The portal should therefore not be confused with the initial application website. You first apply for admission through the official application system; the student portal is primarily part of the post-admission preparation process.
Who Is Eligible for Semester at Sea?
Semester at Sea accepts different categories of students, so eligibility depends partly on your student status.
1. Undergraduate Students
For undergraduate applicants, current requirements include:
- Enrollment in a degree-granting program at an accredited two- or four-year college or university
- At least 12 completed post-secondary credits
- A preferred cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Good academic standing
- Not being on disciplinary probation at the time of embarkation
- Being at least 18 years old at embarkation
Students below the preferred GPA may still receive consideration, with additional academic information potentially requested.
2. International Students
International students are welcome to apply.
Semester at Sea defines international students as people who do not hold U.S. citizenship. This includes students studying at universities outside the United States as well as eligible international students studying at U.S. institutions.
International applicants may need to provide proof of English-language proficiency if their first language or university curriculum does not meet the program’s applicable English-language criteria.
For undergraduate admission consideration, the currently listed minimum scores include:
- TOEFL iBT: 79
- PTE Academic: 53
- IELTS Academic: 6.5
- Duolingo: 110
Alternative evidence may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
How to Apply for Semester at Sea Scholarship in 2027
There is an important distinction between applying for Semester at Sea admission and applying for Semester at Sea financial aid.
Your first step is to apply for admission to the voyage. Visit: https://www.semesteratsea.org
The undergraduate application checklist currently includes:
- Completing the online application
- Uploading unofficial transcripts
- Paying the $75 non-refundable application fee
- Obtaining study-abroad office approval where applicable
Once accepted and confirmed as a voyager, students can pursue applicable Semester at Sea scholarships and financial-aid opportunities.
For many Semester at Sea awards, students must first be confirmed voyagers and pay their cabin deposit before becoming eligible to submit the financial-aid application.
Semester at Sea Scholarship Deadlines for Fall 2027
For the standard Fall 2027 financial-aid application period, Semester at Sea currently lists:
Application opens: February 8, 2027
Standard deadline: April 23, 2027
Notification: May 12, 2027
Some funding opportunities, including certain merit and need-based grants, operate on rolling deadlines. This makes it particularly important to check the specific scholarship requirements rather than assuming every award follows the same deadline.
Students researching other major university scholarships can also read our guide to the Brandeis University Wien International Scholarship and our article on the Clark University Global Scholars Program for additional scholarship opportunities.
FAQs About Semester at Sea Scholarship
1. Is Semester at Sea fully funded?
No. Semester at Sea is not automatically a fully funded program. Students are responsible for program costs unless they receive scholarships, grants, financial aid, or other funding that reduces their expenses.
However, Semester at Sea reports that around 60% of voyagers receive some form of financial aid or scholarship.
2. How much is Semester at Sea for 2027?
For Fall 2027, the currently published fees are $36,200 for standard cabins and $41,200 for premium cabins. Program fees are subject to change, and students should also budget for expenses that are not included.
3. Does Semester at Sea offer scholarships for international students?
Yes. International students can apply for certain Semester at Sea scholarships and grants. The International Student Advancement Award, for example, is specifically designed for students enrolled at universities outside the United States.
4. Can African students apply for Semester at Sea?
Yes. International students are eligible to apply, provided they meet the applicable admission requirements for their student category. Funding opportunities are also available for eligible international students.
5. What GPA do I need for Semester at Sea?
For undergraduate admission, Semester at Sea currently lists a preferred cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Students below that level may receive additional review and may be asked for supporting academic information.
6. How many courses do Semester at Sea students take?
Students normally take four courses, including the required IE 200 Global Studies course, for a full-time load of 12 credits.
7. Does Semester at Sea accept students from all majors?
Yes. Students from a wide range of majors participate, and the program states that more than 40 majors are typically represented on a voyage.
8. Is Semester at Sea open to international students?
Yes. International students are welcomed and make up a portion of the shipboard community.
9. When should I apply for Semester at Sea?
Semester at Sea uses rolling admissions and recommends beginning the application process around 12 months before your intended semester. Applying early is advisable because voyages can fill.
Should You Apply for Semester at Sea 2027?
The Semester at Sea experience combines university coursework, shipboard living, international travel, and field-based learning into one academic semester.
For the 2027–2028 cycle, students have the opportunity to consider Fall 2027 and Spring 2028 voyages, with different itineraries and academic offerings.
The financial side deserves just as much attention as the travel experience. The program can cost tens of thousands of dollars, but scholarships, grants, and other financial-aid opportunities can reduce the amount students need to pay themselves.
If the academic structure, itinerary, and cost fit your plans, the next step is to start the admission process early.
Start your Semester at Sea application through the official application portal, create your account, and begin preparing your application for the 2027–2028 voyage.
Don’t wait until the voyage is nearly full. Review the admission requirements, speak with your university’s study-abroad office, prepare your transcripts and financial documents, and then submit your application through the official program.