Funding Study Abroad

One of the most common concerns that students have when considering studying abroad is: How will I pay for this? While the lifelong benefits of an international learning experience far outweigh the cost, the financial aspects are a legitimate concern for many. However, with a little research, students are often able to find the funding they need in order to study abroad. To help you begin this process, we’ve compiled helpful tips and links to financial resources.

Most students who require financial assistance in order to study abroad obtain it from their home institutions. Your first step should be to schedule a meeting with your school’s study abroad office to learn more about eligibility requirements and the first steps for applying for financial aid. If your school does not have a study abroad office, your academic advisor or financial aid office might be able to assist you.

If you are affiliated with certain groups or organizations beyond your university (which can be religious, ethnic, interest-related, service-oriented, community-based), you might inquire if they offer scholarships that can be used for study broad.

General Scholarships and Grants

There are hosts of scholarships and grants available for studying abroad. Below is a list of resources to get you started. 

Financial Aid Information Page is a free resource on financial aid and lists information about aid and advice about finding aid, with a special section for financial aid for study abroad. http://www.finaid.org/ 

NSEP Boren Graduate Fellowships fund graduate study in those languages and cultures critical to U.S. interests: http://www.borenawards.org/

Rotary International sponsors a variety of funding programs for study and teaching abroad as a part of its goal to foster international understanding and cooperation. Follow the link on this page to inquire with your local rotary club: https://www.rotary.org/en/our-programs/

The Thomas J. Watson Foundation gives college graduates of unusual promise the opportunity to engage in a year of independent study and travel abroad following their graduation. Note that you must apply for the Watson during your final year as an undergraduate: https://watson.foundation/

The Youth Foundation scholarship provides funding for an undergraduate's Junior Year Abroad. Selection is based on character, need, scholastic achievement, objective, motivation, potential for leadership and good citizenship: 

https://youth-foundation.org/

GoOverseas.com offers a scholarship for study abroad  https://www.gooverseas.com/scholarships

Undergraduates in all fields of study who attend an institution with an active Phi Kappa Phi chapter may apply for their study abroad grant. Each year fifty $1,000 grants are awarded:https://www.phikappaphi.org/grants-awards/study-abroad

Good Colleges awards a $2,000 study abroad scholarship to the winner of an essay contest. The deadline to apply is November 1: https://goodcolleges.online/study-abroad-award/

 

Access Scholarships has a list of different types of scholarships for study abroad: https://accessscholarships.com/blog/study-abroad-scholarships

Resources for Underrepresented Groups in Study Abroad

Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) offers scholarships of up to $10,000 to applicants from groups under-represented in study abroad and those destined for non-traditional locations: http://fundforeducationabroad.org

The Benjamin A Gilman International Scholarship Program encourages participation in education abroad programs by those students who have been traditionally underrepresented: http://www.iie.org/Gilman 

United Negro College Fund offers a number of scholarships and fellowships for African American individuals: www.uncf.org/scholarships

American Indian College Fund offers a number of scholarships to students of American Indian heritage: http://collegefund.org/student-resources/scholarships

Hispanic Scholarship Fund offers scholarships to high school-aged and college-aged individuals of Hispanic heritage: https://www.hsf.net/scholarship

Diversity Abroad has a search engine to find study abroad scholarship opportunities for underrepresented groups: www.diversityabroad.com/scholarships

Scholarship and Grant Resources for Study Abroad in Italy

The National Italian American Foundation administers 73 scholarships. To access a list of scholarships and other programs available, click on "NIAF Programs," then select, "Scholarships.": http://www.niaf.org/

The Order of the Sons of Italy (SIF) offers three different National Leadership grants as well as five different scholarships specifically for students studying abroad. Applicants must be U.S. citizens of Italian descent (at least one Italian or Italian-American grandparent) to apply.  For details on these scholarships, click on the "scholarships" link located in the middle of the homepage: https://www.osia.org/programs/scholarships/

 

The DiMattio Celli Family Study Abroad Scholarship offers 2 scholarships of $1,250 to students of Italian heritage choosing to study abroad in Italy. https://app.smarterselect.com/programs/78086