Travel Scholarships for College Students: A Comprehensive Guide
For college students, the allure of studying abroad is undeniable. It's a chance to broaden horizons, experience new cultures, and enhance education. However, the cost of these programs can be a significant barrier. Fortunately, numerous travel scholarships exist to help make these dreams a reality. This article explores a wide array of scholarship opportunities available to undergraduate and graduate students seeking to study or intern abroad.
The Value of Study Abroad
According to the United States Department of State, over 300,000 American students participate in study abroad programs each year. These experiences offer invaluable opportunities for personal and academic growth. Moreover, government exchange programs can even provide special hiring authorities, making it easier to pursue federal jobs after graduation.
General Study Abroad Scholarships
Study Abroad scholarships are financial aid awards designed to assist college students in participating in international academic programs. These scholarships can cover a range of expenses, including tuition, passport fees, travel costs, and international housing.
Institutional Scholarships
Most Study Abroad scholarships are provided to students by their home institution or the receiving institution. Students should explore all available options and apply for as much aid as possible.
Scholarships.com
Websites like Scholarships.com can help students find Study Abroad scholarships tailored to their specific qualifications. Creating a free account allows students to organize scholarship matches by amount or deadline, helping to prioritize applications.
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CIEE Study Abroad Scholarships and Grants
CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange) offers a variety of scholarships and grants to college students across three categories: need-based, merit-based, and other areas of funding. These include semester abroad scholarships, summer scholarships, and scholarships for specific areas of study.
Need-Based Scholarships from CIEE
Need-based study abroad scholarships from CIEE are based on students' Student Aid Index (SAI) from their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and enrolled institution. Examples include:
- Gilman Go Global Grant: This grant is available to qualified Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship applicants and is deducted from semester program fees.
- GAIN Travel Grant: This grant assists with travel costs to and from the study abroad or internship program.
To be considered for need-based grants, students must provide their SAI number from their most recent FAFSA Submission Summary and, for the CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant, proof of submission of an eligible application to the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.
Merit Scholarships from CIEE
Merit study abroad scholarships are based on academic achievement. Examples include:
- Douglass-O'Connell Global Internship: This program provides an eight-week summer global internship, including airfare, to freshman, sophomore, or junior students who are Pell-eligible and have a 3.0 GPA.
- Douglass-O'Connell Scholars Grant: Qualified applicants not chosen for the Douglass-O'Connell Global Internship are guaranteed a grant toward any CIEE summer or semester program through summer 2027.
- McDermott Health Sciences, Nursing and Public Health: This scholarship supports students accepted into a program focused on health sciences, nursing, or public health.
- Ping Scholarship for Academic Excellence: This scholarship recognizes academic achievement.
- Ritzmann Tropical and Marine Ecology Scholarship: This scholarship supports students accepted into a program focused on tropical or marine ecology.
- Scan Design Foundation Environmental Sustainability Internship: This program provides an eight-week summer global internship, including airfare, to undergraduate or graduate students who are Pell-eligible, have a 3.0 GPA, and are returning to their institution in the 2026-27 academic year.
- STEM Scholarship: This scholarship is available to any STEM major studying on any CIEE Summer Program.
- Stohl International Undergraduate Research Scholarship: This scholarship supports students accepted into a qualified program.
- Wollitzer Merit Scholarship in Area or Comparative Studies: This scholarship supports students accepted into a qualified program.
To receive a merit scholarship, students must complete the Scholarships & Grants portion of their program application, along with an essay.
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Golden Key International Honour Society
The Golden Key International Honour Society, the world's largest collegiate honor society, connects with over 400 institutions worldwide. Society members who are top performers in their class may use the scholarship portal tool to find scholarship opportunities.
ItaliaRail and ISIC Scholarships
ItaliaRail, an official partner of the national railway of Italy, and International Student Identity Card (ISIC) have partnered to create scholarships for study abroad students. This initiative aims to offer students valuable benefits and discounts through membership.
WorldStrides Scholarships
WorldStrides offers scholarships exclusively for students applying to their programs. The scholarship application can be found in the student portal after applying.
Government-Sponsored Scholarships and Fellowships
Several government agencies offer scholarships and fellowships to support students studying abroad, particularly in areas critical to national interests.
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, provides grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad. This program aims to diversify the students studying abroad and the countries they visit, encouraging them to choose non-traditional destinations. A related program, the Gilman-McCain Scholarship, provides awards for undergraduate children of active-duty service members to study or intern abroad.
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Critical Language Scholarship Program
The Critical Language Scholarship Program offers fully-funded language instruction and cultural enrichment experiences overseas for 13 languages in countries where the languages are widely spoken, including Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, and Russian.
David L. Boren Scholarships and Fellowships
David L. Boren scholarships and fellowships offer financial support for students seeking less-traditional destinations abroad. These scholarships support undergraduate and graduate students to study in world regions critical to the future security of the nation and underrepresented in study abroad.
Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad (DDRA) Fellowship Program
The Fulbright-Hays DDRA Fellowship Program provides opportunities for doctoral candidates to engage in full-time dissertation research abroad in modern foreign languages and area studies. Grants are given in all world areas except Western Europe, encouraging the study of regions and cultures that are not commonly explored.
Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships
Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowships provide opportunities for outstanding undergraduate and graduate students to engage in area studies and world language training at schools that have established a FLAS fellowship program. Students must be enrolled at and apply through a FLAS-recipient institution.
Project GO
Project GO provides scholarships to ROTC students in three services for critical language study domestically and abroad.
Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program
The Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program is an opportunity for students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines to receive a full scholarship and be gainfully employed upon degree completion.
Scholarships for Specific Regions or Countries
Some scholarships are specifically targeted towards students studying in particular regions or countries.
Gilman-DAAD Germany Scholarships
The Gilman-DAAD Germany Scholarships program supports study abroad in Germany through a partnership between the U.S. Department of Stateâs Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship Program and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
JASSO Scholarship
The Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO) offers scholarships for qualified international students who are accepted by a Japanese institution under a student exchange agreement or other student exchange arrangement.
Bridging Scholarships for Study in Japan
Bridging Scholarships are offered to American undergraduate students studying abroad in Japan for more than three months. Award amounts range between $2,500 and $4,500, depending on the program term duration.
BUTEX Scholarships to Study in the UK
British Universities Transnational Exchange (BUTEX) is a membership organization offering scholarships to undergraduate students for summer, semester, or full year terms in the UK for a minimum of one semester.
The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) Scholarships
The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF) administers scholarships annually for students studying a wide range of academic areas, especially USAC Italy students who are Italian American or majoring in Italian studies or a related field are eligible.
Study Abroad Scholarship in BiH for American Minority Students
Worth up to $2,000, this scholarship sponsors Black, Native American, and Hispanic students to study abroad in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Scholarships for Specific Fields of Study
Certain scholarships are geared towards students pursuing specific academic disciplines.
Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program
The Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program provides scholarships to college students who intend to pursue research careers in science, mathematics, and engineering.
Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program
The Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program encourages independent graduate level research in NOAA mission-related sciences of oceanography, marine biology and maritime archaeology, including all science, engineering and resource management of ocean and coastal areas, particularly by female and minority students.
Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program
The Ernest F. Hollings Undergraduate Scholarship Program provides scholarships to students majoring in NOAA mission-related fields, such as oceanic, atmospheric, biological, and environmental sciences, mathematics, engineering, remote sensing technology, and teacher education.
Saul T. Wilson Scholarship Program
The Saul T. Wilson Scholarship Program supports students interested in a career in veterinarian services with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
Science To Achieve Results (STAR) Fellowships
The Science To Achieve Results (STAR) program supports masters and doctoral candidates in environmental studies, including traditionally recognized environmental disciplines as well as other fields such as social anthropology, urban and regional planning, and decision sciences.
USDA/1994 Tribal Scholars Program
The USDA/1994 Tribal Scholars Program provides scholarships for applicants attending 1994 Land Grant Tribal Colleges and Universities seeking careers in food, agriculture, and natural resource sciences, and/or other related disciplines.
USDA/1890 National Scholars Program
The USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is designed to increase the number of minorities studying agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, and the related disciplines.
William F. Helmsing Scholarship
The William F. Helmsing Scholarship supports students seeking knowledge and experience in their academic fields by studying abroad, particularly in areas related to agriculture and the environment.
Scholarships for Underrepresented Groups
Several scholarships aim to support students from underrepresented backgrounds in study abroad programs.
Frank M. Snowden Jr. Undergraduate Scholarships
The Frank M. Snowden Jr. Undergraduate Scholarships promote and increase access to summer Study Abroad programs for minority students, particularly in international classical studies.
Diverse International Women of Color Study Abroad Scholarship
The Diverse International Women of Color Study Abroad Scholarship is a nonprofit organization intended to assist women of color who are exceptional in their studies and in need of financial assistance to study abroad.
Cobell Scholarship
The Cobell Scholarship is available to any full-time and degree-seeking American Indian or Alaska Native post-secondary student pursuing a vocational certificate or diploma, associateâs, bachelorâs, masterâs, doctoral, professional degree or certificate.
Other Scholarship Opportunities
In addition to the scholarships listed above, several other opportunities can help fund study abroad experiences.
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program offers grants to U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad.
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Student Scholarships
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) offers student scholarships to both undergraduate and graduate students.
Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship Program
The Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship Program offers scholarships to students in NOAA-related fields.
Greater Research Opportunities (GRO) Undergraduate Fellowships
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers fellowships for undergraduate students in environmentally related fields of study.
Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation
The Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation awards merit-based scholarships to college students who plan to pursue careers in government or elsewhere in public service.
NOAA Educational Partnership Program Undergraduate Scholarship
The NOAA Educational Partnership Program Undergraduate Scholarship provides scholarships for two years of undergraduate study to students at Minority Serving Institutes majoring in STEM fields that directly support NOAA's mission.
Registered Apprenticeship Program
The Registered Apprenticeship Program provides the opportunity for workers seeking high-skilled, high- paying jobs and for employers seeking to build a qualified workforce.
Stokes Scholarship Program
The Stokes Scholarship Program develops students for future permanent employment while they pursue a degree relevant to NGAâs mission. The intent of the Stokes Scholarship Program is to recruit high-caliber undergraduate students who have demonstrated financial need and provide them with financial assistance to complete their undergraduate degrees.
Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship
The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship is a program funded by the U.S. Department of State, administered by Howard University, that attracts and prepares outstanding young people for Foreign Service careers in the U.S. Department of State.
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