There are many reasons why students choose to study abroad. Some want to learn about new cultures, others want to gain an international perspective on their field of study, and still others simply want to have an adventure. Whatever your reason for wanting to study abroad, there is likely a scholarship out there that can help you make your dream a reality.
So YES! It may be possible to earn a scholarship to study abroad. There are many universities, governments, and international programs that offer these opportunities. A great place to start is with the foreign language department and your college or the study abroad office for available awards.
Study abroad for academic credit is really popular! According to the IIE, about 341,751 U.S. undergraduate students studied abroad in 2017 to 2018. Reasons for studying abroad are to grow global skills, volunteer, intern or find a short term job.
Here are a few different ways you may be able to go about finding a study abroad scholarship:
All about location: Study in a specific city or country like the Middle East
Language study: About learning or teaching a foreign language
Student specific: For minority students, certain races, genders, religions, LGBT, etc.
Government funded: Come from a government agency as an incentive to study foreign affairs
Fields of study: Funds for specific majors that may have you enroll in required courses
Degree focused: Bachelor’s degree master’s, or PhD
Period of time: Academic year, semester programs, or summer study
School specific: Colleges in the U.S and abroad may offer financial aid
What are the Eligibility Requirements for Abroad Scholarships?
Many scholarships for study abroad base decisions on merit or need. Merit is based on your academic performance. On the contrary, financial need looks at the Student Aid Report. This is on the FAFSA filed with your school. Other criteria might include:
University students from a specific school only
U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents of the United States
Ability to speak the language of the destination country
One semester of relevant college level course work
Leadership or community service experience
Being a full time student
Degree level and college major
Member of a certain group, agency, or organization
These scholarships are for U.S. college students and others who may qualify. When filling out a scholarship application, you may need to submit an essay, transcripts, letters of recommendation. You should apply before the application deadline. There may be a limit on the number of award recipients. The due date tends to be sometime in the academic term before your study abroad program begins.
What Do Study Abroad Scholarships Cover?
Scholarships for studying abroad may vary along with living expenses in every city or country. The financial support you receive may cover transport in the host country, airfare, meals, books and courses. Some awards may provide a stipend for housing. You may have to pay out of pocket so make sure to stay within your budget.
Study Abroad Scholarships by Destination
There are over 180 host regions that American students go to study abroad. Of them, the 5 most popular countries that community college students chose in 2019 are Italy, Spain, UK, Ireland and France.
Scholarships for Study Abroad in Africa
In 2017 to 2018 about 14,416 U.S. study abroad students went to Africa. Places like Cape Town, Ghana, Nigeria and Kenya were among the most visited. Studying abroad in Africa might give you the chance to help the local community or study wildlife. For instance, you might spend a semester studying an endangered species or how to bring water to an underserved region.
There’s a need based award from the School for Field Studies (SFS). Heather Jo Leibowitz Memorial Scholarship honors the memory of Heather Jo who helped communities in Tanzania. Preference goes to those students who want to follow in her footsteps. Once accepted into a program and having paid a commitment deposit, you may apply for SFS financial aid.
Scholarships for Study Abroad in Asia
About 5.2% of U.S. students chose to study in Japan in 2017 to 2018, making Asia a very popular place. The region offers an opportunity to engage with the host culture, learn an Asian language and study its history, religions and more.
Freeman ASIA awards are for U.S. undergraduate students with proven financial need. Students may want to study abroad in Southeast Asia. The funds help the recipient with the cost of the study abroad program. Grant amounts are up to $3,000 for summer programs. For each semester, awards of up to $5,000 and up to $7,000 for a full academic year.
Scholarships for Study Abroad in Europe
Europe hosts over half of U.S. study abroad students. Italy, Spain and France lead the way, all rich in history, culture, language and things to see and do once done for the day. Other students also head to Amsterdam, Belgium, London, Austria, Portugal and Prague.
Every year the German Exchange Service (DAAD) supports over 100,000 German and international students and researchers from around the globe. DAAD scholarships are mainly for graduates, doctoral and postdocs. As a result, they fund study and research visits and some intern positions in Germany. Depending on the program, the award may consist of a flat rate travel stipend and monthly scholarship sum. At the moment, it is €750 ($886.23) for undergraduates, € 850 for graduates and €1,200 for doctoral/PhD students.
Scholarships for Study Abroad in Latin America
Latin America spans 33 countries including Chile, Argentina, Peru, Columbia, Ecuador and Guatemala. Some students choose a country to explore their roots, learn a language, teach or help a community in need.
HACU along with AIFS offers scholarships for U.S. college students in need. The awards are open to Hispanic students from HACU member schools. If you are eligible, the scholarship pays up to 50% of the AIFS semester or summer program fee. In order to qualify, you must be a current freshman and have one semester of college completed at the time of applying.
Inter American Press Association Scholarship Program: These awards are for journalists or students in their final year of journalism studies. If you are between 21 and 35 years old and fluent in the language of the host country, you may qualify. The award of $20,000 is for one academic year of study at a Latin American journalism school. Also, you must send in a form and documents related to your program.
Program Specific Scholarships for Study Abroad
There are several notable providers of study abroad programs. Many have a fund for education abroad scholarships that interested students may apply for. As a rule, program specific awards are for a certain major and may pay for a semester, summer or year long period. There are:
Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE)
The School for Field Studies (SFS)
High School Study Abroad Scholarships
Studying abroad may be the experience of a lifetime for high school students. If you haven’t traveled much or would love to travel, then this is a good opportunity to build language skills and enhance your resume. When finding the perfect program, you may want to look for an intensive language study, or research summer options based on your interests.
Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) Scholarship: This award is for motivated high school students aged 15 to 18 ½. Eligible applicants want to experience new cultures and learn a language in Germany. You may also live with a host family while attending a German high school. Other benefits include language lessons. As well as meetings with U.S. and German government representatives. To apply you must have at least 2.5 GPA, and interest in the German language. You need to comply with U.S. Department of State eligibility policy.
Undergraduate Study Abroad Scholarships
Taking your your college experience abroad may expand your mind to new points of view, cultures, languages, art, history and so much more. If you don’t have the financial means to travel, an undergraduate study abroad scholarship might open the door to new adventures. It may also open new networks of potential friends and employers.
The Boren Scholarships fund study abroad by U.S. undergraduate students in world regions critical to the United States. Award amounts goes by time spent abroad. The award amounts are up to $25,000 for 25 to 52 weeks, $12,500 for 12 to 24 weeks or up to $8,000 for 8 to11 weeks (STEM majors only). There are several Regional Flagship Language Initiatives. You may also design your own study program. Successful applicants understand the national security implications of their studies abroad. You also must show an interest in working for the Federal government. To apply, you must complete a form and send transcripts, two letters of recommendation, language forms, two essays and a program description.
USAC is another nonprofit that provides study abroad programs in 26 countries. To apply for an USAC STEM scholarship, you must apply to the program first. You may qualify if you are pursuing a bachelor’s degree with a declared STEM major or minor. Eligible applicants must also have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Multiple awards will be given in sums ranging from $750 to $1,000.
Study Abroad Grants
First, you may receive federal student aid for a study abroad program if you are eligible. Your home university must take part in federal aid programs. If you are a U.S. citizen and undergraduate receiving Federal Pell Grant funding, you may qualify. About 2,500 scholarship go out each year in amounts of up to $5,000. You must fill out an application form and send two essays and official transcripts.
The U.S. Department of Defense also offers programs that aim to boost skills in foreign language and culture. Boren Awards are one of these initiatives. The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is aother grant program. It helps students of limited means to study or intern abroad in order to gain skills in national security and economics.
The ETA programs place Fulbright recipients in classrooms abroad where they help out local English teachers. ETAs help teach English while also serving as cultural ambassadors for the U.S. You first must choose a host country. This could be in Europe, Sub Saharan Africa, South and Central Asia, East Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa or the Western hemisphere.
The award amount varies as does the number of recipients. But, these tend to be full scholarships worth up to $50,000. Applicants must fill out a form and send support documents. Three letters of recommendation, personal statement, transcript, statement of grant purpose and a language evaluation report.
Study Abroad Scholarships
Check out our list of study abroad scholarships worth .
To honor USAC’s long history in international education, Legacy Scholarships are available to degree-seeking students who are the children, siblings, and spouses of alumni (a paying participant who previously attended a USAC Program) with a 2.5 GPA or higher.
Students from other 800 universities worldwide participate on USAC programs. These special awards are considered for students attending an USAC affiliated university. However, you do not need to attend an Affiliate University to participate in a USAC program.
USAc is dedicated to providing well-rounded experiences, academically credible programs to students. Funding is available for each of the five geographic regions with USAC programs (Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Oceania).
USAC awards students financially to assist with their study abroad expenses. For this award, applicants must be a degree-seeking military personnel (active or veteran) or a dependent of one.
USAC awards students financially to assist with their study abroad expenses. For this award, applicants must have a 3.0 GPA and have parents who did not graduate from a 4-year institution.
To ease the financial burdens of studying abroad, ISA offers a variety of scholarships and grants to students participating in their programs. Three deadlines are given for the fall, winter/spring, and summer semesters. ISA also lists host universities whom are offering scholarships. Click here to learn more and apply today!
The Boren Awards for International Study were established by the National Security Education Act of 1991 in honor of Senator David L. Boren of Oklahoma to increase the number of students in languages, fields of study and world regions critical to U.S. security. Boren Fellowships provide unique funding opportunities for U.S. graduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests, and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.
The fellowships encourage graduate students to pursue specialization in area and language study or to add an important international dimension to their education. The award provides up to $25,000 for a maximum of 12 months. Preference is given to programs of 6 months or longer.
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