Study Abroad Scholarships

Most students fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as part of their on-campus financial assistance. But did you know that it may also qualify you for study abroad funding? Even students without a FAFSA may be eligible, due to increased need while studying internationally.

In addition to federal and institutional financial aid options, you could also qualify for national scholarships and grants. Select study abroad organizations list scholarships available for their study abroad programs, so be sure to read the fine print. We’ve put together this list for you:

1. Benjamin Gilman Scholarship: This award is for students who receive the Federal Pell Grant during time of application and apply for a country-based study abroad program. Award amounts  vary depending on the length of study and student need, with the average award being approximately $4,000 for fall and spring programs, and $3,000 for summer programs.
    

2. CIEE Academic Excellence Scholarships: CIEE offers 14 types of scholarships to recognize academic achievement and enable international education. Awards are made based on personal statements from student applicants.
    

3. CIEE Travel Grants:  CIEE offers three types of scholarships to make study abroad affordable for students who face financial and social hurdles. Awards are made based on personal statements from student applicants and financial need, based on economic profile and estimated family contribution (EFC).
    

4. Diversity Abroad: This is a database open to students of African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic/Latino, multiracial/ethnic, or Native-American undergraduate students. Applicants must participate in a study abroad program through diversityabroad.com. Award amounts vary.
    

5. Fulbright: The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Approximately 8,000 grants are awarded annually in most academic disciplines and fields of study.
    

6. Boren Scholarship: Boren scholarships provide up to $20,000 to U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin American, and the Middle East.
    

7. Tortuga Backpacks Study Abroad Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded biannually to passionate students who want to explore the world. Students will be eligible to receive a $1,000 scholarship. The scholarship may be used for tuition, room and board, books, or travel. You must: be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or currently studying in the US on a student visa, be a full-time undergraduate student in good academic standing at a four-year, degree-granting college or university in the U.S., or have applied to or been accepted into a study abroad program eligible for credit by your college or university.
    

8. Study Abroad with American Institute for Foreign Study (AFIS): Each year, more than $800,000 in scholarships, grants and financial support is awarded to deserving students & institutions. Funds are available for both summer and semester programs.
    

9. America-Mideast Educational and Training Services, Inc.: At AMIDEAST Education Abroad Programs in the Arab World, they are committed to providing financial assistance to students participating on their programs in the Middle East and North Africa. AMIDEAST currently awards two types of scholarships: AMIDEAST Education Abroad Need-Based Scholarships and AMIDEAST Blog Abroad Scholarships.
    

10.  Fund for Education Abroad: FEA is committed to increasing the opportunities for dedicated American students to participate in high-quality, rigorous education abroad programs by reducing financial restrictions through the provision of grants and scholarships.
     

11. SIT Diversity Abroad Scholarship: This year, SIT awards nearly $1.3 million in scholarships and grants to SIT Study Abroad students. They encourage all qualified students to apply for their need-based scholarships. SIT offers a broad range of scholarships and grants, including their award-winning Pell Grant Match. Scholarship awards generally range from $500 to $5,000.

12. The Critical Language Scholarship Program: The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is a fully-funded overseas language and cultural immersion program for American undergraduate and graduate students. The CLS Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State.