Navigating Funding: A Comprehensive Guide to Study Abroad Scholarships for Undergraduate Students

Each year, a significant number of American students, exceeding 300,000, embark on study abroad programs, according to the United States Department of State. While these programs offer invaluable international experiences, the cost can be a significant barrier. Fortunately, numerous study abroad scholarships exist to help undergraduate students finance their international academic pursuits.

Understanding Study Abroad Scholarships

Study abroad scholarships are financial aid awards designed to support college students participating in international academic programs. These scholarships can be awarded by the student's home institution, the host institution abroad, or external organizations. Eligibility criteria and award amounts vary considerably, so thorough research is essential to identify the scholarships that best fit your individual profile.

Scholarships.com can help you find the perfect Study Abroad scholarship so you can travel without the debt.

Where to Find Study Abroad Scholarships

Home University: Most colleges and universities offer study abroad scholarships to their students. Contact your university's international or study abroad office for information on available funding opportunities. Some colleges offer funding for study abroad to its students.
Receiving Institution: Inquire with the host institution about scholarships specifically for international students.
Study Abroad Program Providers: Many program providers, such as CIEE, AIFS Abroad, and Semester at Sea, offer their own scholarships and grants.
Third-Party Organizations: Numerous organizations, such as Diversity Abroad, Fund for Education Abroad, and the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, provide scholarships for study abroad.
Online Scholarship Databases: Websites like Scholarships.com can help you find the perfect Study Abroad scholarship. The internet is an excellent resource for locating a large number of study abroad scholarships.

Types of Study Abroad Scholarships

Study abroad scholarships can be broadly categorized into the following types:

Need-Based Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded based on the student's financial need, often determined by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Many Study Abroad scholarships are specifically targeted towards students with financial need.
Merit-Based Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement and other qualifications. The Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), for example, awards multiple Study Abroad scholarships that vary in their eligibility criteria; some are need-based, but many are judged solely on academic merit.
Program-Specific Scholarships: These scholarships are tied to a specific study abroad program. Program-specific study abroad scholarships require you to participate in a specific study abroad program in order to receive the funding.
Region-Specific Scholarships: Some study abroad scholarships are tied to a specific destination, region, or country.
Identity-Based Scholarships: These scholarships target students from specific backgrounds or underrepresented groups. Minority students seeking to study abroad can apply to both general Study Abroad scholarships and minority-exclusive Study Abroad scholarships.

Featured Scholarship Programs

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program: This program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, provides scholarships of up to $5,000 for U.S. citizen undergraduate students with high financial need to study or intern abroad. The Benjamin A. citizen undergraduate students with high financial need, including students receiving Federal Pell Grants.
Boren Awards for International Study: These awards, sponsored by the National Security Education Program, fund U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests. citizen undergraduate and graduate students to study in world regions critical to the future security of our nation and underrepresented in study abroad. Boren Scholars and Fellows study a wide range of critical languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Portuguese, and Swahili.
Fund for Education Abroad (FEA): FEA provides scholarships to students who are underrepresented in study abroad, including minority students, first-generation college students, and students with disabilities. interests, and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
CIEE Scholarships and Grants: CIEE offers a variety of need-based and merit-based scholarships and grants for students participating in their study abroad programs. At CIEE, our goal is to award study abroad scholarships and grants to college students across three categories: need-based, merit-based, and other areas of funding.

Scholarships for Specific Regions and Countries

Africa

For students seeking an unconventional study abroad experience, Africa offers incredible diversity and opportunity.

Read also: Comprehensive Work-Study Info

Asia

Bridging Scholarships for Study in Japan: These scholarships offer $2,500-$4,000 for study abroad in Japan and can be used for travel and living expenses. citizen undergraduate students participating in study abroad programs in Japan for more than three months. Award amounts range between $2,500 and $4,500, depending on your program term duration.
Freeman Asia: This program provides $3,000-$7,000 scholarships to spend up to eight weeks in one of 15 Asian countries.
Taiwan Fellowships & Scholarships (TAFS): These scholarships offer international students the chance to study for a bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD degree in Taiwan, covering tuition and providing a monthly stipend.
Schwarzman Scholars: This program offers a fully funded, one-year master’s degree in Global Affairs at Tsinghua University in Beijing.

Europe

Europe is a popular region for study abroad, with numerous scholarship opportunities available.

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Scholarships: DAAD offers a variety of scholarships to encourage students to study abroad in Germany for a semester or postgraduate degree. The Gilman-DAAD Germany Scholarships program supports an effort between the United States and Germany to support study abroad in Germany. Department of State’s Benjamin A Gilman Scholarship Program and the German Academic Exchange Service.
The Koscuiszko Foundation Scholarships: If you are of Polish descent or want to study abroad in Poland, the Koscuiszko Foundation offers a variety of scholarship opportunities.
Sons of Norway Scholarship: Similarly, if you are of Norwegian descent, there are a variety of scholarship opportunities offered through the Sons of Norway.

Southeast Asia and Oceania

East-West Center Scholarships & Fellowships: Students interested in studying abroad in the Oceania region can find fellowship or scholarship opportunities through East-West Center.

How to Apply for Study Abroad Scholarships

Start Early: Begin your scholarship search well in advance of your study abroad program. The most important factor in securing funding for study abroad is advance planning.
Create a Scholarships.com Account: Scholarships.com can match you with your ideal Study Abroad scholarship. All you need to do is create a free account.
Organize Your Scholarship Matches: Once you’ve made your free account, you can organize your scholarship matches by amount or deadline to prioritize the order of your applications.
Meet Eligibility Criteria: Carefully review the eligibility criteria for each scholarship before applying.
Write a Strong Essay: Many scholarships require an essay. Highlight your academic achievements, your passion for study abroad, and how the program will contribute to your personal and professional goals. Under the essay section of the Scholarships Application, you need to explain to us (in 300 words or less) how your CIEE program will impact your college experience and/or future career plans
Submit Required Documents: Gather all required documents, such as transcripts, letters of recommendation, and financial aid forms. It’s important to note that many Study Abroad scholarships require students to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as a prerequisite to apply.
Proof of submission of an eligible application to the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship: For the CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant, you must provide proof of submission of an eligible application to the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
Apply for Federal Financial Aid: Many students don't realize that these government grants and loans may be used towards study abroad. Apply for federal financial aid.
Meet Deadlines: Pay close attention to application deadlines and submit all materials on time. Scholarship deadlines can come up faster than you think. All students applying for CIEE funding must complete the CIEE Study Abroad Scholarships & Grants task on their application by the published deadline.
Follow Instructions: Carefully follow each scholarship's specific application instructions. The best way to apply for Study Abroad scholarships is with Scholarships.com.
Be Persistent: Apply for as many scholarships as you are eligible for to increase your chances of receiving funding.

How Study Abroad Scholarships May Be Applied

Study Abroad scholarships may be applied in different ways than traditional on-campus scholarships. In addition to the standard tuition coverage, Study Abroad scholarships often cover expenses such as passport fees, travel expenses, and international housing costs. Alongside the travel costs, the $30,000 grant includes incidental coverage and health benefits. The Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Travel Grant helps cover outbound and return airfare to all CIEE program locations for students who demonstrate financial need.

Additional Tips

Check with your home university's financial aid office: They can provide guidance on using federal financial aid for study abroad.
Explore work-study opportunities: Some study abroad programs offer work-study options to help students earn money while abroad.
Consider fundraising: Platforms like GoFundMe can help you raise money for your study abroad program.
Look for scholarships specifically for your major or field of study: Some organizations offer scholarships for students pursuing specific academic disciplines.
Be aware of program fees and costs: The Global Opportunity (GO) Full-Ride Scholarship is designed to give a stand-out student the opportunity to study abroad. The scholarship can be used for any TEAN program and covers tuition, program fees and orientation (up to $15,000 value).

Resources

Scholarships.com: A comprehensive database of scholarships, including study abroad scholarships.
IIE Passport: A website with information on study abroad programs and scholarships.
NAFSA: Association of International Educators: A professional association for international educators with resources on study abroad.
Diversity Abroad: A leading global education organization that targets non-traditional students for international education opportunities.

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