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Getting funding for your study abroad experience is one of the most crucial steps in the application process. Not only does it ease the financial burden on yourself, but it enables scholarship providers to increase their visibility by sponsoring you. Be sure to also look for any scholarships found only at your home institution, or for funding sources by specific regions or fields. Here is a general list to start with:
Remember to ask your study abroad advisor how your school deals with study abroad tuition. Many schools with have you pay your regular college tuition, which will cover your tuition and (usually) accommodation while abroad. The benefit of this system is that all your financial aid will transfer and apply to your time abroad. Some schools will have you pay tuition directly to the study abroad program you are participating in, and may or may not have a “study abroad” fee to be paid to your home institution. If you pay your program directly any financial aid from your home institution may not be applicable. However, all federal aid is eligible for use on study abroad programs.
Study Abroad Scholarships
CIEE:
Numerous scholarships, including the Bowman, the Bailey, and the Wollitzer.
AIFS:
American Institute for Foreign Study gives 100 scholarships for summer and semester programs abroad with an award of $1000 each.
Boren Awards for International Study:
David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholarships for Study Abroad, National Security Education Program administered grants for study in Asia, Africa, Latin America. Gives up to $20,000 annually.
Global Studies Foundation:
The Global Studies Grant for Student Travel and Study Abroad is designed to support foreign language training and other academic studies abroad. To receive the GSF Student Grant, American students who are studying abroad must share their experience with various audiences upon return in exchange for the supplemental funds provided.
Ben Gilman International Scholarships:
State Department administered grants, favoring travel to locations of “critical needs languages” i.e. Chinese, Russian, Arabic. Over 1,700 scholarships of up to $5,000 annually.
Foundation for Global Scholars:
This is a non-profit organization whose mission is to create global citizens and leaders through cultural and academic experiences abroad. They offer four award scholarships for North American students currently enrolled in college. All four have different requirements and award multiple scholarships:
- Foundation for Global Scholars General Scholarship $500-$1,500
- STA Travel, Inc. Scholarship $1,000-$2,000
- Diversity Abroad / GlobaLinks Learning Abroad Scholarship $1,000
- Banks Family Scholarship $1,000
Golden Key International Honor Society:
This society gives $1,000,000 away in scholarships, including ten $1,000 awards specifically for study abroad. Their scholarships are for members only.
Phi Kappa Phi:
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi offers forty-five Study Abroad Grants for $1,000 each.
John T. Petters:
Memorial Scholarship set up to encourage study and volunteering abroad.
Rotary Foundation Scholarships:
Rotary Club Ambassadorial Scholarships are available for young professionals, graduate and undergraduate students. Scholars act as a goodwill ambassador to host country and provide presentations to local Rotary clubs while abroad. They gave 700 scholarships in 2009, worth a total of $16.2 million. Check with your local rotary club for opportunities.
USAC:
University Studies Abroad Consortium gives $200,000 annually.
Diversity Abroad
DiversityAbroad.com
Diversity Abroad has partnered with AIFS to offer twenty $1,000 scholarships for semester and summer abroad programs. They have also partnered with Semester at Sea to offer scholarships that will cover 50% of the cost of the least expensive cabin.
The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
The HACU offers several scholarships with varying requirements and amounts. These opportunities are available for students of HACU member institutions.
Institute for International Public Policy
Under the United Negro College Fund Special Programs Corporation, The IIPP offers a five-year sequenced program that includes a Junior Year Study Abroad (JYSA) of which financial assistance is provided.
Turkish Coalition of America
The TCA offers up to 100 scholarships a year for African American, Hispanic American and Native American students to study abroad in Turkey, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Graduate Study Abroad
École des Chartes Exchange Fellowship
This fellowship is offered by the Newberry Library and provides a monthly stipend and freee tuition for a North American graduate student for a three month program at the École des Chartes in Paris.
British Academy Fellowship for Study in Great Britain
Also offered be the Newberry Library, this program provides a monthly stipend for three months study in Great Britain.
Fulbright
A must see for graduate students looking for meaningful travel abroad. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, this scholarship provides opportunities for international graduate school and research projects.
Financial Aid
International Student Loan
This organization offers a Study Abroad Loan for U.S. students enrolled at least part time in a degree-granting programs around the world. This loan comes from federal and private sources.
Senator Paul Simon Study Abroad Foundation Act
This is a congressional initiative to advocate and expand study abroad opportunities for U.S. undergraduate students. The act’s goals are:
- Increasing participation in quality study abroad programs.
- Encouraging diversity in student participation in study abroad.
- Diversifying locations of study abroad, particularly in developing countries.
- Making study abroad a cornerstone of today’s higher education.
This act was first proposed by late Senator Paul Simon in 2003 (See his speech here). It has great support in Congress and is currently in Senate appropriations for FY 2011. If passed, this act will offer scholarships for study abroad. To learn more about this act and see current updates visit the NAFSA website.
Any scholarships we missed? Let us know at contact@abroad101.com.
