By Maima Faith Merin
There’s a reason the word “money” is used
more frequently than any other word in rap songs. It’s important. And
whether you agree with the likes of Eminem, Jay Z, and Tupac or not, we
can all agree that money can be a major deciding factor when you are
choosing where to study abroad (or if to study abroad at all).
With steeping increases in the costs of
undergraduate education, many students are caught between an
(empty-wallet) rock and a (lacking-savings-account) hard place. The
truth is, there are funds available for all kinds of students to study
abroad. And you’re not alone: most students are hoping to find a way to study abroad for cheap. Besides, who wouldn’t want to offset semester tuition bills to instead bulk up the wine and cheese budget?!
If you just-so-happen to be a student
seeking a learning experience that’s more internationally flavored, then
you’ll be pleased to know that there are study abroad scholarships and grants offered by many governments, organizations, and specific universities just for you!
The
following are a diverse selection of study abroad scholarship
opportunities to get you started, whether you are a minority, graduate
student, or the plain, ol’ run-of-the-mill college student:1. Boren Scholarships
Deadline: Annual (typically early on in the calendar year)
Awards:
- $8,000 (summer program, available for STEM students only)
- $10,000 (semester program)
- $20,000 (academic year program)
Degree Level: Bachelors
The annual scholarships of the National
Security Education Program provides fundings to undergraduate students
from the U.S. to study less popularly studied, minority world languages.
Promoting linguistic and cultural immersion, this award program aims to
support students focusing on language studies that are critical to U.S.
national security. Boren Scholars can choose to study abroad in their
country of choice, excluding nations within Western Europe as well as
Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In exchange for funding, scholars
must commit to working in the federal government for at least a year
after graduation.
2. Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
Deadline: TBA
Awards:
- $3,000 (summer program)
- $4,000 (fall and spring program)
- $5,000 (academic year program)
Degree Level: Bachelors
Sponsored by the Bureau of Educational
and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, the Benjamin A.
Gilman International Scholarship program offers grants to U.S.
undergraduates with limited financial means, in order to diversify the
population of students going abroad. This annual competitive award is
given to a limited number of recipients interested in studying or
interning abroad.
3. Robert B. Bailey Scholarship
Deadline: TBA
Award: Up to $2,000 per student
Degree Level: Bachelors
Offered through the Council on
International Educational Exchange, the Bailey Scholarship is aimed at
providing ethnic minority students from the United States with the
financial means to study abroad. Applicants are required to submit a
range of application materials, such as an outline of academic
achievements, proof of financial need, a personal statement essay, and
letters of recommendation.
4. USAC Scholarships
Deadline: TBA
Award: Varies
Recipients: Bachelors
The University Studies Abroad Consortium
(USAC) awards students who demonstrate significant financial need with
scholarships to support their study abroad aspirations annually. To be
eligible for these study abroad scholarships, students must enroll in USAC study abroad programs.
USAC’s scholarship offerings include General Scholarships for
Non-Consortium Affiliate Students, Legacy Scholarships, and
Program-Specific Scholarships.
5. Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants
Deadline: September 15th, 2016
Award: $1,000
Degree Level: Bachelors
Phi Kappa Phi supports U.S.
undergraduates who wish to seek wisdom, experience, and academic
excellence through study abroad by awarding 50 scholarships to aspiring
study abroad students annually. Students who wish to apply must have an
active Phi Kappa Phi chapter at their home university.
6. CEA Study Abroad Scholarships
Deadlines:
- April 10th, 2016 (summer)
- May 10th, 2016 (fall)
Awards:
- $500 - $750 for short term programs
- $1,000 - $3000 for year-long programs
Degree Level: Bachelors
CEA is committed to changing students’
lives by providing them with essential financial aid needed to study
abroad. More than two million dollars is given to students for study
abroad programs each year by CEA. CEA Study Abroad scholarships are
divided into three categories: merit, need, and diversity.
7. Winston Churchill Foundation Scholarship
Deadline: November 8, 2016
Award: ranges from $50,000 to $60,000
Degree Level: Masters
Started in 1963, the Churchill
Scholarship provides funding for American students interested in
enrolling in a master’s degree programs in science, engineering, and
mathematics at the University of Cambridge. Fourteen applicants are
awarded with this scholarship annually.
8. AIFS Study Abroad Scholarships & Grants
Deadline: Varies per scholarship
Award: $400 - $1,000; Varies per scholarship
Recipients: Bachelors
The American Institute for Foreign Study
awards deserving students with more than $800,000 in financial aid for
study abroad annually. These funds are available for students seeking
both summer and semester study programs.
9. SIT Study Abroad Scholarships
Deadlines:
- April 1st (for summer programs)
- May 15th (for fall programs)
- November 1st (for spring programs)
Award: Ranges from $500 to $5,000
Degree Level: Bachelors
The School for International Training
(SIT) offers scholarship funding to qualified students interested in
participating in one of SIT’s many study abroad programs around the
world. SIT offers a wide range of scholarships and grants that can be
applied toward the costs of tuition and housing accommodation for
students during their time abroad.
10. Critical Language Scholarship
Deadline: TBA
Award: Varies
Degree Levels: Bachelors & Masters
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs provides American students with the
opportunity to enjoy fully-funded overseas summer language and cultural
immersion programs through the awarding of Critical Language
Scholarships (CLS) each year. Applicants are selected based on their
commitment to studying non-traditional languages abroad, including
Arabic, Japanese, Swahili, and Russian. The Critical Language
Scholarship is only open to American undergraduate and graduate
students.
11. American Association of University Women Fellowships & Grants
Deadline: Varies
Award: Varies
Degree Level: Bachelors
The American Association of University
Women (AAUW) has a long history of empowering women, not only in the
United States, but all over the globe. AAUW is one of the biggest
funding sources for graduate women all over the the world, providing
more than three million dollars in funding to outstanding women through
more than 200 fellowship and grants annually.
12. Corinne Jeannine Schillings Scholarships
Deadlines:
- March 15th (academic year, spring, or summer)
- October 15th (fall semester)
Award: $1,000
Degree Level: Bachelors
The Corinne Jeannine Schillings
Foundation provides both Silver and Gold Scholarships to girl scouts who
have a desire to study abroad when they reach university. This “Travel
Study” scholarship award is open to girl scouts pursuing any
undergraduate area of study, major, or minor courses.
13. Jerome Foundation Travel & Study Grant
Deadline: February 25th, 2016
Award: Up to $5,000
Degree Level: Bachelors
The Jerome Foundation offers Travel and
Study Grants to millennial artists who are in need of funds to travel
for the purpose of knowledge, inspiration, experience, and growth.
Eligible applicants should be passionate and interested in the fields of
dance, film, digital production, or literature.
14. Tortuga Backpacks Study Abroad Scholarship
Deadlines:
- May 20th, 2016 (fall semester)
- December 20th, 2016 (spring semester)
Award: $1,000 & a Tortuga travel backpack
Degree Level: Bachelors
Tortuga Backpacks provides study abroad
funding to students with a desire to take amazing extracurricular trips
while studying abroad. This scholarship is awarded biannually to
qualified American undergraduate students, as well as students who have a
U.S. visa, who are interested in exploring more of the world during
their international program.
15. Allianz Global Assistance Scholarship
Deadline: November 13th
Awards:
- $50 Amazon Gift Card (for 30 finalists)
- $2,500 (grand prize for six winners)
Degree Level: High School Seniors & Bachelors
With a belief that international travel
can help students grow and expand their horizons, Allianz Global
Assistance has been dedicated to giving students the opportunity to
travel the world for over a decade. American students enrolled in
accredited high schools, colleges, or universities can submit a 60 to 90
second video OR a 500-word essay answering the question “How can
international travel impact my life?”, to apply for Allianz Global’s
ScholarTrip funding opportunity.
16. Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation Scholarship
Deadline: October 31st
Award: Varies
Degree Level: High School Seniors
To commemorate the centennial anniversary
of Coca-Cola, the company established the Coca-Cola Scholars
Foundation, to carry out their mission to provide students with the
opportunity to make a difference in the world and experience lifelong
enrichment because of their international experiences. Administered by
Phi Theta Kappa, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation Scholarship is an
achievement-based award available to graduating high school seniors in
the United States with excellent academic performance and outstanding
leadership who have had a significant impact on their local community.
17. Fulbright U.S. Student Program
Deadline: TBA
Award: Varies
Degree Levels: Masters, Young Professionals, & Recent Graduates
The Fullbright U.S.Student Program
provides grants to selected individuals to work, live, and learn for one
academic year in a foreign country. There are two types of grants
provided by the Fullbright U.S. Student Program: Study/Research and
English Teaching Assistant. This Fullbright grant is open to graduate
students, recent graduates, and young professionals in the United
States. The total number of grants distributed each year depends on the
availability of federal appropriated funds.
18. Rotary Foundation Global Scholarship Grants
Deadline: TBA
Award: $30,000
Degree Level: Masters
The Rotary Foundation has been a pillar
in humanitarian activities, whether related to local service projects or
global initiatives, for decades. The Rotary’s Global Grants program
offers support to students pursuing graduate-level coursework or
research in the fields of: Peace and Conflict Resolution, Disease
Prevention and Treatment, Water Sanitation, Maternal and Child Health,
Education and Literacy, and Community and Economic Development.
19. Chevening Scholarships
Deadline: TBA
Award: Varies
Degree Level: Masters
The UK government established the
Chevening Scholarship program in 1983 to support the development of
future global leaders. Funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
(FCO), the Chevening Scholarship provides recipients worldwide with the
unique opportunity to develop their potential, both academically and
professionally, at any UK university. This scholarship is open to
graduate students working on their master’s degree in any subject.
20. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships
Deadline: TBA
Award: Varies
Degree Level: PhD
Through the Federal Commission for
Scholarships for Foreign Students (FCS), the Swiss government offers
scholarships for foreign postgraduate students. The Swiss Government
Excellence Scholarship provides exceptional students with the
opportunity to pursue doctoral research at one of Switzerland’s public
or private institutions.
21. Swedish Institute Study Scholarships
Deadline: February 13th, 2016
Award: Varies
Degree Level: Masters
Funded by the Ministry for Foreign
Affairs of Sweden and administered by the Swedish Institute, the Swedish
Institute Study Scholarship (SISS) aims to develop global leaders. An
estimated 300 scholarships are given to qualified graduate applicants
each year. The scholarship covers tuition fees, living expenses, and
insurance for all scholars.
22. VLIR-UOS Awards Scholarships
Deadline: Varies
Award: Various Expenses Covered
Degree Level: Masters
VLIR-OUS aims to make a difference by
looking for innovative responses to global and local challenges. With
this objective in mind, VLIR-UOS hopes to strengthen globalization of
higher education institutions in Flanders, Belgium by awarding
scholarships to foreign students and professionals. This scholarship
program is open to applicants from 54 countries in Africa, Asia, and
Latin America. Scholars will have the opportunity to participate in
English-taught training programs or pursue master’s degrees at any
accredited Belgian academic institution.
23. New Zealand Pacific Scholarships
Deadline: April 30th, 2016
Award: Various Expenses Covered
Degree Levels: Masters & PhD
Funded by the New Zealand Aid Programme
and managed by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
(MFAT), the New Zealand Development Scholarships (NZDS) give
international students an opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and
skills in specific areas of study in New Zealand, in hopes of assisting
development of their home nation upon graduation.
24. The NextGen Scholarship
Deadline: Applications Open February 15th, 2016
Award: $1,000
Degree Levels: High School Seniors & Bachelors
The NextGen Scholarship was created to
help international or American students, whether high school seniors or
those pursuing undergraduate degrees, complete higher education degree
programs in the United States. Every year, one scholar is awarded based
on merit and financial need.
25. Ideapod Scholarship
Deadline: TBA
Grant: $2000
Degree Level: Any University Student
The Ideapod Scholarship was created as a
way to support technological development, especially related to
Artificial Intelligence (AI), the most exciting and talked about
technology today. In partnership with the ADC Forum, the Ideapod
Scholarship supports the imagination and creativity of university
students, both undergraduate and graduate, all over the world. To apply,
students must answer the question “What will Artificial Intelligence
mean for work?”
26. Shanghai Government Scholarships
Deadline: Varies
Award: Varies
Degree Levels: Bachelor, Masters, & PhD
The Shanghai Municipal Education
Commission aims to further develop international education and attract
international students to Shanghai, China by providing them with
financial resources. Therefore, in 2005, the commission establish the
Shanghai Government Scholarship (SGS). Qualified international students
interested in pursuing a higher education in an academic institution in
Shanghai will have the opportunity to receive three different types of
scholarships: Class A (full scholarship for graduate students), Class B
(partial scholarship for undergraduate and graduate students), or Class C
(Excellent Student Award) scholarship.
27. Korean Government Scholarship
Deadline: TBA
Award: Various Expenses Covered
Degree Levels: Bachelor, Masters, & PhD
In order to increase ties and
relationships throughout the world, the National Institute for
International Education of South Korea offers foreign university
students from countries with bilateral cultural agreements with South
Korea the opportunity to study abroad in Korea. The Korean Government
Scholarship Program (KGSP) aims to support future global leaders by
promoting real international education.
28. Japanese Government Scholarship
Deadline: Annual
Award: Varies
Degree Levels: Bachelor, Masters, & PhD
Established in 1954, the Japanese
Government (Monbukagakusho) Scholarship program has helped thousands of
international students pursue higher education in Japan. Supporting
students pursuing undergraduate as well as masters degrees, research,
and various other training programs in Japan, this scholarship is open
to students from around the world.
29. The Bridging Foundation Scholarship
Deadline: April 8th, 2016
Award: $2,500 - $4,000
Degree Level: Bachelors
The United States-Japan Bridging
Foundation, through collaboration with the Bridging Project
Clearinghouse at the American Association of Teachers of Japan, awards
scholarships to U.S. undergraduate students who want to study in Japan
for a semester or a full academic year. Approximately 100 scholarships
are awarded to applicants demonstrating a strong interest in a higher
education in Japan and a demand for financial assistance annually.
30. German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Scholarship
Deadline: Varies
Award: Varies
Degree Levels: Bachelor, Masters, & PhD
The German Academic Exchange Service
(DAAD) offers a wide range of scholarships for Canadian or American
students who want to pursue study or research in Germany. Scholarships
are competitive and range from support for short term programs to
monthly financial support for the duration of a German degree program.
31. LIVFund Scholarship
Deadline: Monthly Selection
Award: $500
Degree Level: Bachelor
LIVFund offers financial assistance to
students interested in participating in international programs based in
Latin America. The scholarship is open to any student in college or
university that meets various eligibility conditions and submits a
creative response to application questions. Two scholarships are awarded
each month to selected applicants.
32. Otago Polytechnic Scholarships
Deadline: Varies
Award: Varies
Degree Levels: Bachelor & Masters
Otago Polytechnic is the leading
polytechnic institute of higher education in New Zealand. In order to
achieve the Otago Polytechnic’s goal of becoming a leading academic
institution on an international level, the school offers multiple
scholarships to local and international students covering a wide range
of fields.
33. The School for Field Studies (SFS) Endowed Scholarships
Deadline: Varies
Award: Varies
Degree Level: Bachelors
The School for Field Studies provides a
range of scholarship opportunities thanks to numerous alumni and donors
who have created lasting legacies through endowed scholarship funds. Six
scholarships are offered to international students in need of financial
support to attend the School for Field Studies.
34. American Research Center in Egypt Fellowships
Deadline: January 2017
Award: Varies
Degree Level: PhD
Fellowships provided by the American
Research Center in Egypt (ARCE) offer pre-doctoral and post-doctoral
applicants in the United States the chance to profoundly expand their
knowledge of Egypt and the Near East through study and research in
Egypt. The ARCE’s annual fellowships are made possible by partnerships
with the Ministry of Antiquities and the Ministry of Higher Education in
Egypt. ARCE offers three types of fellowships that are awarded to more
than 10 applicants annually.
35. Holland Scholarship
Deadline: May 1st, 2016
Award: € 5,000
Degree Levels: Bachelors & Masters
Study in Holland promotes international
education programs to Dutch students while providing resources and
guidance for incoming international students. The Holland Scholarship is
provided by Study in Holland and financed by the Dutch Ministry of
Education, Culture, and Science as well as multiple research
universities based in the Netherlands. The Holland Scholarship offers
funding for non-European Economic Area (EEA) students that wish to study
in Holland. Applicants should be in their first year of undergraduate
or graduate studies.
36. University of Bologna (UNIBO) Study Grant
Deadline: March 31st, 2016
Awards: € 11,000
Degree Levels: Bachelors & Masters
Forty international applicants are
awarded with study grants by the University of Bologna each year. Study
grants are awarded based on students’ SAT and GRE test scores and online
application submission. Only students who wish to register for the
university’s First Cycle, Second Cycle, or Single Cycle degree programs
are eligible for the grants.
37. Monash International Merit Scholarship
Deadlines:
- March 15th
- April 15th
- June 12th
- October 15th
- November 15th
Award: $10, 000
Degree Levels: Bachelors & Masters
Monash University offers more than 30
annual scholarships to outstanding international undergraduate and
graduate degree seeking students. Students from any country can apply
for scholarships. Scholars are selected based on academic achievement
and a 500-word application statement.
BONUS: 5 Tips to Help you Win Study Abroad Scholarships
1. One scholarship, one application. Avoid the temptation to mass-apply for multiple scholarships. You need to create individualized, unique cover letters for each and every scholarship that you apply for. Sure, you can reuse certain content or rearrange your resume in similar ways, but in general, make sure your application is unique each and every time.2. Describe your life after study abroad. Many students fail to recognize their semester or summer of studying abroad as a smaller piece to their life puzzle; however, life will go on after you return. How do you anticipate being different? How do you plan to incorporate the lessons you learn while abroad onto your university campus or into your life in your home communities? Educators geek out over students that are willing to discuss bigger picture connections.
3. Connect it to your heritage. If you are going to a region or continent that is linked to your family history, why not use your study abroad experience as a way to get better acquainted with your second, third, and fourth cousins? These experiences are once-in-a-lifetime and add unique depth to your overall time abroad.
4. You don’t have to be a pro-athlete or star of the decathlon team. Let’s be honest: study abroad scholarship judges were probably not the end-all, be-all of their college campuses. Average joe’s are welcome. The key is to highlight your best qualities and demonstrate your passion for cross cultural interactions.
5. Apply for multiple scholarships. It may be hard to stomach, but don’t count on a single application to score a fully funded study abroad program. Apply early, and apply often. The more times you throw your name into the ringer, the more likely you are to score a sweet, sweet study abroad scholarship.
Read the full article at goabroad.com
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If you need help getting started with study abroad, take a
look at the first steps: http://studyabroad.uark.edu/getting-started/first-steps.php.
For more scholarships for study abroad, please check out http://studyabroad.uark.edu/funding.
