Ready to take your education beyond the classroom? Grand Rapids Community College is offering Summer 2027 Study Away opportunities that allow you to earn college credit while immersing yourself in new cultures and gaining real-world experience.
These group-travel experiences, led by GRCC faculty, are designed to help you develop essential travel skills, understand cultural practices and connect your travel experiences to course outcomes. This immersive approach not only deepens your academic knowledge but also broadens your global perspective.
Summer 2027 Destinations
- Barbados (English and/or Sociology)
- Portugal/Spain (English)
Application Process
Information sessions and applications for Summer 2027 Study Away trips will begin in mid-to-late September 2026. Please check back at that time for updated information and scheduling options.
All interested students must attend a brief virtual Study Away Information Session before applying. The session provides an overview of the application process, trip expectations, costs and payments, health and safety information, and other important details. After attending an information session, students will receive the Study Away application by email.
Once accepted, students will make multiple payments over several months, secure a passport, purchase any recommended travel gear, and prepare for the physical requirements of their travel experience. Students are responsible for regularly checking and responding to email so they do not miss important information.
Students are encouraged to meet with a Financial Aid representative in the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office to learn how to use financial aid and scholarships to help pay for study away.
Passport Funding & Resources
IIE American Passport Project – GRCC Passport Funding Opportunity
The IIE American Passport Project provides funding to help eligible GRCC students obtain their first U.S. passport.
Approved students may receive up to $165 in reimbursement toward eligible U.S. passport application fees.
Eligibility Requirements
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Be enrolled at GRCC
- Be Pell Grant eligible (or meet Pell eligibility criteria)
- Not currently hold a valid adult U.S. passport
Funding is limited. Applications will be reviewed by GRCC and eligible students may be nominated to the Institute of International Education (IIE) for final review and approval. Submission of an application does not guarantee selection.
Passport Fund
The GRCC Passport Fund helps reduce financial barriers for students interested in participating in Study Away opportunities. For many students, obtaining a U.S. passport is one of the first steps toward studying abroad but can also be a significant financial obstacle.
Donations to the Passport Fund help eligible students access global learning experiences that expand cultural awareness, build career-ready skills, and create life-changing educational opportunities.
Support a student's global journey by donating to the Passport Fund.
Notice of Availability (NOA) of the Annual Security Report (ASR)
A copy of the GRCC's Annual Security Report (ASR) is available for review. This report is required by the federal law and contains statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on-campus; in certain non-campus buildings or property owned and controlled by GRCC; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from the campus. The ASR also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning sexual misconduct, emergency procedures, and other matters. This report is available online at https://
Title IX of the Education Amendment Act of 1972 requires that all entities receiving federal funds or financial assistance prohibit sex discrimination and sexual harassment in their education programs and activities. Learn more about Title IX at https://www.grcc.edu/generalcounsel/titleix.
GRCC does not offer or accept any reward or remuneration from a secondary school, college, university, agency, or organization for placement or recruitment of military students.