The Learning Abroad office is excited to announce the opening of applications for the Office for Global Engagement Passport Award, an initiative designed to expand access to international opportunities for students across campus.
Through this program, the Learning Abroad office partners with the Weber State University Passport Acceptance Facility to guide students through the passport application process. The award fully covers the cost of a first-time adult passport, including the $35 execution fee, the $130 U.S. Department of State fee, and two passport photos.
Over the past academic year, the Learning Abroad office proudly supported 31 University of Utah students in obtaining their first passports. Building on this momentum, the office aims to award 50 passports to first-time applicants during the 2026–2027 academic year.
“I first heard about the passport award at the Learning Abroad fair. I didn’t even have a passport yet, nor had I ever traveled outside the country, but I knew I wanted to travel for school, I just didn’t know how to go or where to start. It gave me the determination to go abroad as soon as possible, and now I am a freshman in Vietnam for a Summer research program,” said Foster Kendall, a student participating in a Hinckley Global internship.
Applications open on July 1, 2026, and will close on October 1, 2026. Students who are interested in pursuing international experiences are strongly encouraged to apply and take this first step toward studying, interning, or researching abroad.