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Scholarships for Study Abroad

Scholarships are a great way for students to offset some of their study abroad costs.  A variety of government programs, private companies, and non-profit organizations offer funding specifically for study abroad students.  Some students also fundraise through crowdsourcing sites like GoFundMe, or by reaching out to their local community organizations for assistance.

Scholarship applications require careful planning and detailed work.  CIS recommends that students start the application process as early as possible.  This will allow you more time to review and revise your application and have others provide feedback as well.  Our advisors are happy to meet with you to discuss scholarships or provide feedback on your application materials.  If you are interested in study abroad scholarship advising, please email keanabroad@kean.edu to schedule an appointment.  For general information about scholarships at Kean University, visit Scholarship Services.

Scholarships for Program Providers

Cultural/Diversity/Ethnic Scholarships

  • African American Scholarships – Directory of scholarships and internship opportunities.
  • American Institute of Certified Public Accountants – Scholarships for minority accounting students.
  • Association of American Indian Affairs – Scholarship programs for Native Americans.
  • Cultural Bridge Scholarships – In accordance with their mission to facilitate life-changing international experiences, Weekend Student Adventures (WSA), a student travel organization, has created these scholarships to allow students the incredible, enriching opportunity to study abroad in Europe.
  • Cultural Vistas Fellowship – A fully-funded fellowship program affording underrepresented U.S. university students the opportunity to intern for eight weeks with organizations in Argentina, Germany, or Southeast Asia.
  • DIWC Scholarship – The Diverse International Women Of Color Summer Study Abroad Scholarship is intended to assist women of color who are exceptional in their studies and in need of financial assistance to study abroad. DIWC will award (5) $500 scholarships to women of color who have been accepted to a In-Person Summer 2021 Study Abroad Program, including internships.
  • Diversity Abroad Overseas Ambassador Program – The Overseas Ambassador Program is an initiative created for current students or recent graduates who are planning to study, intern, volunteer or teach abroad. Overseas Ambassadors earn a stipend in return for representing Diversity Abroad, writing articles, and sharing experiences while abroad. Geared toward economically disadvantaged students, first-generation, students with disabilities and ethnically and racially diverse students.
  • EDsmart — Scholarship resource directory for Hispanic and Latinx students.
  • Education Loan Finance (ELFI) – Scholarships for Latino and Hispanic students
  • Education Loan Finance (ELFI) – Scholarships for African American students
  • Hispanic Scholarship Consortium — In collaboration with member organizations, benefactors, professional groups, colleges, universities and dedicated individuals, HSC provides sizable, renewable scholarships.
  • Hispanic Scholarship Fund — Open to high school seniors, community college students, undergraduate and graduate students, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund is committed to assisting students of Hispanic heritage achieve a university degree. Awards range from $500 to $5,000, based on need.
  • Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities Study Abroad Scholarships- HACU provides study abroad scholarships for students that attend Hispanic Serving Institutions
  • Education in Ireland Scholarships — There are hundreds of scholarships available for international students from a wide variety of sources such as the Government of Ireland, the Irish higher education institutions, and other organizations. These are awarded solely at the discretion of the individual organizations that set down their own criteria for eligibility. Students are advised to contact the institution or organization of their choice directly, to obtain more detailed information.
  • LNESC Scholarships — LNESC provides a number of scholarship opportunities for Latino students.
  • The National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME) – Scholarship program for those students who are part of an under-represented minority and enrolled in an engineering program at a NACME partner university.
  • NAFSA Rainbow SIG – This scholarship is awarded to a deserving LGBTQI student who aims to participate in a high-quality, rigorous education abroad program.
  • National Society of High School Scholars Foundation – The NSHSS Foundation provides STEM scholarships for underrepresented groups in order to help reduce financial barriers for those with academic and leadership potential and the desire to pursue STEM careers.
  • Sara’s Wish Scholarship Fund – Awarded to young women committed to making the world a better place by fully participating in it.
  • Trinity College Dublin – Trinity College Dublin offers a number of scholarships open to study abroad students including awards for academic excellence, STEM, and more.
  • UAL Award for Study Abroad – These awards reward outstanding students who have been accepted on to the study abroad programs at University of the Arts London. Up to four awards are made to students per year in the amount of £1500, awarded on-site

Scholarships for Language Study

  • Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship Programme – The programme aims to support those who wish to rediscover and reconnect to their Hungarian heritage and want to improve their Hungarian language skills and cultural knowledge as well.
  • National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) – The U.S. Department of State’s NSLI-Y is part of a U.S. government initiative to foster international cooperation by ensuring that Americans have the linguistic skills and cultural knowledge necessary to effectively communicate. NSLI-Y provides overseas critical language study opportunities to American youth through merit-based scholarships to spark a lifetime interest in critical foreign languages and cultures.
  • The Boren Award for International Study is an initiative of the National Security Education Program that provides funding for U.S. undergraduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad.
  • Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program- provides fully funded intensive summer language institutes overseas in fifteen critical languages
  • Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD) - The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) sponsors students from around the world to study German language and culture at a language school in Germany during the summer or winter. The requirements are different for the two study periods, but in general, you must be a current student (undergrad or graduate), and have completed at least two years of a Bachelor’s Degree. 
  • Darmasiswa Scholarship- an opportunity to immerse yourself in Indonesian language, arts, and culture for up to one year. You can choose from a number of institutions around the country. The program is open to any international applicant between 18 and 27. You must apply through your nearest Indonesian Embassy.
  • American Institute of Indian Studies- Through the American Institute of Indian Studies, you can learn any number of Indian languages on their immersive summer, semester, or year-long programs. Although you can attend their programs on your own, AIIS also offers full foreign language fellowships to semester and academic year applicants who have the equivalent of two years of language training. Eligibility requirements vary depending on the term and language.

U.S. GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIPS AND PROGRAMS- Undergraduate Students

Nationally Competitive Scholarships

  • Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program supports U.S. undergraduate students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad. Under the Gilman Program.
  • The mission of the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) is to provide scholarships and ongoing support to students who are underrepresented among the U.S. study abroad population. FEA awards scholarships of up to $10,000 for students who plan to study abroad for a full academic year; up to $5,000 for students who plan to study abroad during the fall or spring semester; and awards that are prorated by a number of weeks in-country (with a minimum of $1,250) for students studying abroad during summer.
  • Boren Scholars and Fellows study a wide range of critical languages, including Arabic, Chinese, Portuguese, and Swahili. Boren Awards are available to students of all proficiency levels who are committed to enhancing their skills. Provides funding for U.S. undergraduate students studying abroad in world regions critical to U.S. interests.  Awards are up to $10,000 for semester programs, or $20,000 for year-long programs.

Recent College Undergraduate Graduates

  • The Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) provides merit-based scholarships to recent vocational graduates and young professionals for a one-year professional study and training experience in their fields of interest in Germany.
  • Fulbright U.S. Student Program sends recent college graduates and early career professionals to live, study and conduct research abroad in 140 countries.
  • Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Program places recent college graduates in classrooms in 75 countries to help teach English and serve as cultural ambassadors.
  • The Marshall Scholarship is available to study at any British University in any subject at graduate level.
  • The George J. Mitchell Scholarships – Funds graduate study in Ireland or Northern Ireland for one year.
  • Oxford and the Rhodes Scholarships are the oldest and most celebrated international fellowship awards in the world. Each year 32 young students from the United States are selected as Rhodes Scholars, through a decentralized process representing the 50 states.
  • Blakemore Freeman Fellowships- The Blakemore Freeman Fellowships are for advanced learners of an Asian language. The language scholarship is awarded for one year of intensive foreign language study, and includes tuition or tutoring fees, plus a stipend for travel, living, and study expenses. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, have an undergraduate degree, and be pursuing a career that requires regular use of the proposed language.
  • The Luce Scholars Program- Open to U.S. citizens and residents, the year-long Luce Scholars Program is not specifically a language immersion grant, but it does include a significant language study component. After a period of orientation and intensive language study, participants undertake a professional placement. Participating universities nominate candidates who have limited exposure to Asia for the program.
  • American Association of University Women (AAUW) Funding & Awards- The AAUW supports women pursuing a variety of graduate academic opportunities. Grants are typically in the range of $2,000-$30,000 to pursue topics including community development, international projects, and career development -- and the funds can be used for study programs as deemed appropriate as part of the AAUW application.
  • Finduddannelse.dk Sustainability Scholarship- This Danish platform wants to help students change the world. They are focused on graduates who enroll in a master’s program that will help alleviate the impact of climate change and make the world a more sustainable place. Are you the next world savior? Must have applied (or will apply) to a master's program that can help you make the world more sustainable. 

Students With Disabilities

  • Affordable Colleges Online – offers a number of resources of scholarships for students with varying disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorders, deaf and hard of hearing, learning disabilities, orthopedic disabilities, speech disorders, visual impairment, and more.
  • Mobility International – Financial aid for international exchange with disabilities.
  • MoneyGeek – Higher education scholarships for students with disabilities.
  • Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships – Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
  • 1800wheelchair.com - The 1800wheelchair scholarship awards two $500 scholarships each year. Scholarships are awarded to those attending a U.S. based institution. All applications are welcome.
  • American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) Scholarship Program - Applicants must be enrolled full time in an undergraduate or graduate school, and have a documented disability. Applicants must be a US citizen or legal resident living in the US and enrolled in an accredited US University. Preference will be given to students majoring in public health, disability studies, disability research, health promotion or a field related to disability and health.

Continent Specific Scholarships

Asia 

  • Bridging Scholarships for Study in Japan- $2,500-$4,000 for study abroad in Japan, these can also be used for travel and living expenses. They give out 100 scholarships, on average. 
  • Freeman Asia- $3,000-$7,000 scholarships to spend up to eight weeks in one of 15 Asian countries. Perfect if you've never explored specific countries in Asia. 
  • IDB King Abdullah University International Scholarships- KAUST Fellowship supports individuals during their graduate studies at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia. That includes full tuition support, a monthly living allowance and more.

Africa 

Europe 

Latin America 

Oceania 

  • East-West Center Scholarships & Fellowships- Almost any student interested in studying abroad in the Oceania region can find a fellowship or scholarship opportunity through East-West Center. 
  • American-Australian Education Fund- Open to U.S. students who are interested in or are currently studying abroad in Australia. The application period is from September 1st to October 15th each year. Click here to learn more.
  • Education New Zealand Scholarships- Education New Zealand wants to help students to focus on their education rather than financial issues. 
  • Scholarships for Study in Australia- This database provided by the Australian government gives students easy access to the available funding for international students studying there
  • Macquarie Student Representative Scholarship – Provides a tuition scholarship of AUD $1,000 for promotional assistance with the international program.
  • Foundation for Asia Pacific Education Scholarship- Awards $500 to $1500 to students studying abroad in Asia or the Pacific. Students must be receiving academic credit for their program.
  • Go Overseas New Zealand Scholarship- One US undergraduate student will win $15,000 to cover the tuition to study abroad in New Zealand at one of eight participating universities. A free round trip flight is included.  
  • Generation Study Abroad Excellence and Travel Awards- Education New Zealand and New Zealand tertiary institutions will provide support for U.S. students who participate in study abroad programs at New Zealand's universities and Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics - commonly referred to as ITPs, and offering technical and applied degree programs.

 

Miscellaneous Scholarships

  • Davis-Putter Scholarship – provides grants to students actively working for peace and justice.
  • GoAbroad.com – Search scholarships using various criteria. GoAbroad also offers a $500 scholarship for use on any study abroad program.
  • Institute for Humane Studies Fellowships – Awarded to students to help them take advantage of opportunities that can enhance their abilities and credentials to pursue careers that involve the communication of ideas.
  • SIT Robert Kantor Memorial Scholarship - grants one student $10,000 in scholarship aid to study abroad with a SIT program. Funded by individual donors and foundations, the requirements are tight: seeking first-generation college students who've never traveled abroad before, currently attend an HBCU, and demonstrate strong financial need.
  • AFS-USA scholarships. Upon submission, applications will be reviewed and matched with the most applicable scholarship, if available. All scholarships are partial, and scholarship award amounts will be determined based on program length.
  • Rotary International- The Rotary Club operates one of the largest and longest-run private study abroad funding programs offering up to $25,000 in scholarships to fund one year of academic study, room and board, and other associated expenses. Students are named Cultural Ambassadors and are expected to give presentations both on their home culture while abroad and on the culture of their study abroad destination upon returning home. Scholarships are given through local branches.
  • The Ashley Soulé Conroy Foundation Scholarship- Ashley Soulé Conroy’s family wants to reward your desire to explore and experiment with different people and places and ways of living, just as the founder’s daughter has. That’s why they set up a scholarship for undergraduates in need: to change lives. Must be a U.S. citizen enrolled as an undergraduate in a college or university. 
  • Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program- recognizes outstanding scholarship and encourages independent graduate level research -- particularly by female and minority students -- in NOAA mission-related sciences of oceanography, marine biology and maritime archaeology, including all science, engineering and resource management of ocean and coastal areas.
  • Ernest F. Hollings Scholarship- seeks to increase undergraduate training in oceanic and atmospheric science, research, technology, and education and foster multidisciplinary training opportunities.
  • Laura W. Bush Traveling Fellowship – The fellowship is intended for American college/university students who express an interest in international collaboration but as of yet had not been afforded many opportunities to travel abroad.
  • The GRIT (Globally Remarkable Intentional Talent) program is a year-long scholarship and leadership program for young adults (18-30 years old).
  • The Jane Gluckman and Carol Rausch “Go Global” Scholarship This scholarship will be awarded to one student each year planning to study abroad in Mexico, Central America, South America, France, or Germany.
  • Next of Us Intern Opportunity Fund – Scholarship opportunity partnered with Pay Our Interns to assist college students in overcoming financial hurdles as they pursue unpaid or underpaid internships.
  • Phi Kappa Phi Society Study Abroad Grants: Open to Phi Kappa Phi members as well as non‐members in all fields of study.
  • Student Loans Network – Loans that require enrollment verification but not school certification.

Crowdsourcing

Scholarship Databases