Study Abroad Scholarships: A Guide for African American Students

Studying abroad can be a transformative experience, offering personal growth, cultural immersion, and enhanced career prospects. However, the cost of these programs can be a significant barrier, especially for African American students. While numerous study abroad programs and scholarships exist, those specifically targeting African American students may seem less abundant. This article aims to highlight valuable resources and study abroad scholarships for African American students to help fund their international education dreams.

Overcoming Financial Hurdles

Many students initially dismiss the idea of studying abroad due to financial constraints. I remember when I first thought about studying abroad back in my junior year of college. I had always wanted to study abroad in Europe, but after discussing the finances required with my college advisor at the time, I thought it would be impossible, especially because I knew I would need study abroad scholarships for black students. I couldn’t believe how expensive some of these programs were. However, with thorough research and strategic application efforts, obtaining funding is possible. While it's rare to find scholarships that fully cover all expenses, a combination of financial aid, grants, and scholarships can make study abroad more accessible.

Campus Resources

Begin by exploring the resources available at your college or university. Find out what your campus has for study abroad scholarships and financial aid. In addition to regular financial aid, many colleges have additional grants available for underrepresented students to study abroad. Your campus international education team can provide valuable guidance and recommendations. Remember, these are academic programs, so you will want something that works with your college area(s) of study.

National Scholarship Opportunities

Several national scholarships are dedicated to supporting students from diverse backgrounds in their pursuit of international education.

The Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) Scholarships

The Fund for Education Abroad (FEA Scholarships) was established in 2010 to help independent study abroad programs. Since then, they have sent roughly 100 students abroad from all over the United States. FEA is dedicated to increasing the number and diversity of American students studying abroad by providing game-changing scholarships for semester and summer study abroad. FEA works with a host of study abroad institutions and providers to offer no less than 30 different diversity scholarships. That means that if you register with FEA, you are automatically considered for all scholarships that you meet the eligibility requirements for! The amount of financial aid varies, running up to $5,000 in total per student. Applicants should be participating in an academically rigorous and immersive study abroad program that ideally includes a language component. FEA’s Access Partners join in the shared commitment to increase the number of American college students studying abroad through the provision of scholarships.

Read also: Comprehensive Work-Study Info

FEA offers several scholarships named in honor of individuals who have made significant contributions to international education and diversity. These include:

NAFSA Tamara H. Bryant Memorial Scholarship: FEA will award these funds to African-American undergraduate students in the United States who hope to study abroad, and who also embody Mrs. Bryant’s spirit of resilience and commitment to intercultural exchange, per her endowment purposes. Tamara H. Bryant, who immigrated to the United States from Rangoon, Burma in the 1960s, established an endowment at NAFSA to foster intercultural exchange through the provision of scholarships.
David T. Parry Scholarship: Named for FEA Founder and Chairman Emeritus, David T. Parry, this scholarship honors Dave’s dedication to educational travel and equity.
J. Scott Van Der Meid Scholarship: This scholarship is established in memory of J. Scott Van Der Meid, a long-time supporter of FEA, and beloved husband, son, colleague, and friend. In honor of Scott, his family, friends, and colleagues are establishing this scholarship to continue his legacy of advocating for underrepresented students and increasing diversity in study abroad.
Gateway International Group Education Abroad Scholarship: Preference for the Gateway International Group Education Abroad Scholarship will be given to applicants who are first-generation college students, or those whose home or college of study are in Kentucky. The Gateway International Group Education Abroad Scholarship will provide between $1,000 to $10,000.
Hiliary Echo Douglas Memorial Scholarship: This scholarship will be awarded to one student each year planning to study abroad in Vietnam or within other Southeast Asian cultures.
The A. Scholarship: This scholarship will be awarded to a deserving student planning to study abroad in Denmark.
The scholarship: This scholarship fund has been created to honor Drs. Virginia and Robert Craig, who dedicated their lives to learning and sparked the love of learning in those around them.

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

Benjamin A. This scholarship is not only geared toward African-American students, but all students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies abroad. A U.S. government offering, the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship has been helping undergraduate students in financial need study abroad for 20 years. 1,350 American colleges and universities are signed up to the international scholarship which, to date, has sent more than 34,000 students to 155 different countries of study. undergraduates studying or interning abroad (spending 3 weeks or longer in one country) during the semester, summer, or J-term and who are eligible to receive a federal Pell Grant can apply for the Gilman Scholarship. Priority for these very generous awards is given to students underrepresented in study abroad, and a service project must be completed after your return.

API Diversity Scholarship

API’s diversity scholarship seeks to support participants from a variety of backgrounds. It provides the opportunity for students with traditionally marginalized identities to study abroad. API awards up to $500,000 to students annually ranging from $250-1,000 per student.

IES Abroad Diversity Scholarships

IES Abroad offers a number of diversity scholarships and grants to provide opportunities for traditionally underrepresented communities in study abroad. The David Porter Need-Based Diversity Scholarship was created for African American study abroad scholarships (and others with financial needs). This scholarship, also affiliated with IES Abroad, was named in honor of David Porter from the IES Abroad Board of Directors. Recipients must attend a private college or university that is a Member or Associate Member of the IES Abroad Consortium.

Boren Scholarships and Fellowships

Boren Scholarships and Fellowships are U.S. government program for students learning any of 15 less commonly taught languages that are considered crucial to the country’s international engagement. interests. Boren scholarships prioritize study in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. With professional development at the core of the program, it’s considered a great stepping stone for a diplomatic career in the federal government. Awards reach up to $25,000, making this one of the most lucrative diversity scholarships around. Boren Scholars and Fellows study a wide range of critical languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Portuguese, and Swahili. The Boren program is for both undergraduates and graduate students.

Diversity Abroad Overseas Ambassador Scholarship

Not only is DiversityAbroad.com an excellent resource for minority students to find study and intern abroad opportunities. It also runs its own scholarship: the Overseas Ambassador Scholarship! Overseas Ambassadors document their experience abroad by writing articles and sharing videos to inspire even more students from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue an international education. The eligibility requirements of this scholarship program are also very accommodating. Stipends of $500 are available for those who successfully apply to become a Diversity Abroad Overseas Ambassador. The money is put towards a Spring or Fall semester volunteer, intern, teach, or study abroad program.

Program-Specific Scholarships

Many study abroad program providers offer their own scholarships to promote diversity and inclusion.

USAC Access, Equity, and Inclusion Scholarship

The University Study Abroad Consortium-or USAC for short-knows a thing or two about study abroad.

AIFS Abroad Scholarships

The scholarships listed here are available to AIFS Abroad study abroad and/or internship participants and are to be allocated for AIFS Abroad opportunities unless otherwise noted. AIFS Abroad recognizes the challenges that today’s students face with meeting the cost of their education. We believe that a study abroad and/or intern abroad experience is an essential component of well-rounded education and are committed to providing financial assistance to as many students as possible in support of their goal to study abroad. Competitive scholarships require an application and may include an essay about a particular topic. A specific number of awards are made each term, and the selection process is competitive. Award amounts vary.

Semester at Sea Scholarships

Semester at Sea is committed to fostering inclusivity among the shipboard community. They offer a number of need-based and merit scholarships for prospective students, including the Inclusive Engagement Scholarship, which gives a preference for underrepresented identities.

AUC Scholarships

The American University in Cairo (AUC) has delivered over $25 million in funding across more than 90 different scholarships programs for study abroad in Egypt’s capital city. Among its many scholarships are a number of offerings for students from underserved communities, including the Scholarship for Refugees which covers all tuition fees and provides an additional monthly stipend. Both undergraduate and graduate students are accepted. Awards and deadlines vary depending on the scholarship.

DIS Diversity Scholarship

If you’re interested in a Scandinavian study abroad program, this is the scholarship for you! Operating in Copenhagen and Stockholm, DIS assists more than half of its participants with some form of financial support. The organization runs several need-based scholarships, including its Diversity Scholarship. This scholarship is offered to students from diverse ethnic, cultural, or educational backgrounds.

Additional Scholarship Resources

GoAbroad.com: Search scholarships using various criteria. GoAbroad also offers a $500 scholarship for use on any study abroad program.
Go Overseas: Go Overseas is a treasure trove of information, including a long list of scholarship opportunities and databases (updated annually) and tips for making your application shine.
Money Geek: Provides links to a variety of scholarships as well as useful information for budgeting and planning study abroad.
Diversity Abroad: Teams with many universities and organizations to encourage students of many different backgrounds to venture overseas.

Tips for Scholarship Applications

Start Early: As soon as possible! Many study abroad scholarships, especially those funded through prestigious programs, have very early deadlines-in some cases, up to a year before you intend to go abroad.
Research Thoroughly: I encourage you to apply for the scholarships listed above and to do thorough research; really put your all into each application.
Craft a Compelling Essay: In most cases, you will be required to write a personal statement or essay explaining why the scholarship should be awarded to you.
Highlight Your Experiences: Students share their experiences through articles, social media posts, and videos while on their study abroad program. Students awarded this scholarship will need to take stock of their time abroad in order to complete additional return requirements.
Seek Guidance: Contact your campus international education team or scholarship advisors for feedback on your applications.

Addressing Concerns and Promoting Inclusivity

Study abroad has, traditionally, been the preserve of the wealthy. Most programs cost thousands of dollars, making them unaffordable for most students who don’t number among the middle or upper classes. It also tends to be a predominantly white affair. This trend has begun to change in recent decades, as both families and educational institutions have prioritized improving opportunities for students of minority ethnic backgrounds. As an applicant, you will know before you apply which grants you are eligible to receive.

The study abroad industry has recently made expanding the demographic breakdown of study abroad students a priority. Every student should have the opportunity to study abroad without breaking the bank. The benefits of studying abroad are immeasurable, and it should be accessible to everyone. The US higher education population that studies abroad has never been more diverse. Part of that is due to efforts at diversity and inclusion by colleges, study abroad providers, and funding bodies.

Cultural Resources

One of the best things you can do before departure is enter into the journey knowing that your time abroad will be unique to this experience. The resources, community, and support available to you when abroad will likely be different as well. In order to help you prepare for your experience, we have compiled the General Cultural Resources and Site Specific Cultural Resources for you to review.

Safety Considerations

Consider options with your family and your campus international education team. They have encountered these situations before and may have some recommendations for you to consider. Places with extreme hostility to certain races or ethnicities are not ideal.

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