8 Undergraduate Study Abroad Scholarships You Need to Know About

Studying abroad can expand your horizons and challenge you to be more open-minded and aware of the world around you. It can be an incredible time in your life, but it’s expensive.

Luckily, there is plenty of undergraduate study abroad scholarships available to help offset some of the costs associated with taking this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Here are eight undergraduate study abroad scholarships you need to know about, so you can pick the best one that fits your individual needs.

1) Gilman Scholarship

2) Ronald McNair Program

3) The Wallace Alexander Gerbode Foundation Scholarship

4) U.S. State Department Critical Language Scholarship Program

5) Grinnell College International Scholarships

6) Henry Luce Foundation Fellowship in Asia Studies

7) The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

8) Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship Program

Undergraduate Study Abroad Scholarships

1) Gilman Scholarship

The most competitive scholarship of its kind, 1,600 Gilman recipients each year are all U.S. citizens who receive up to $5,000 to study abroad for a summer or academic year program (up to $20,000). Scholarship winners are automatically considered for one of 40 summer awards worth between $2,000 and $7,500.

To be eligible for an undergraduate study abroad scholarship like Gilman you need to apply through your university’s program selection system (such as WES or CSS) before February 1.

The 15th is recommended if you want a June start date or if you’re applying for funding from your college’s financial aid office instead of directly through your university.

2) Ronald McNair Program

This program, named after a NASA astronaut who died in 1986 during a mission, is one of three federally funded undergraduate study abroad scholarships.

The others are Gilman and Fulbright. Each year, more than 3,000 high school seniors compete for around 100 spots in their field of choice (science, math, or engineering).

If you’re picked to participate, you receive up to $5,000 per year for up to five years for tuition and expenses.

3) The Wallace Alexander Gerbode Foundation Scholarship

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is a merit-based program offered by the U.S. Department of State. CLS recipients study intensive overseas language training, with host agencies across federal, state, and local government departments in exchange for two years of national service.

Scholarship awards include full tuition and fees, free round-trip transportation, and a housing allowance, a stipend for living expenses, textbooks, school supplies health insurance; loan deferment for your student loan while abroad or studying abroad; you will have access to your host agency’s professional development opportunities upon completion of your CLS.

4) U.S. State Department Critical Language Scholarship Program

The Critical Language Scholarship Program (CLS) offers high school, undergraduate, and graduate students a competitive edge in today’s job market by providing opportunities for intensive foreign language study abroad.

CLS scholars receive up to $20,000 for overseas language and cultural immersion programs at various universities around the world. To be eligible for these scholarships, you must be planning on attending an approved university-based program that lasts at least four weeks and includes 30 hours of classroom instruction per week.

Most CLS programs are taught in Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, or Russian but other languages are available depending on need. Apply before December 15 to ensure consideration.

5) Grinnell College International Scholarships

Each year, Grinnell offers study abroad scholarships for students with financial needs. The College also offers other merit-based and first-generation scholarships for study abroad. Merit-based recipients must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to qualify for these awards; award amounts vary from $500-$2,000.

First-generation recipients will receive $2,000 if their parents did not graduate from an American college or university and can be renewed for two additional years by maintaining at least a 2.5 GPA during their second year of study abroad.

6) Henry Luce Foundation Fellowship in Asia Studies

This foundation offers grants for the study of Asia and its people with a focus on languages, cultures, arts, political systems, and religions.

In addition to funding for graduate-level degrees, they also provide grants for undergraduates who want to study abroad in China, Japan, or Korea. To be eligible for a fellowship you must demonstrate an interest in foreign affairs as well as financial need.

Candidates must also have completed two years of college by June 1st of that year and be enrolled at an accredited four-year college in good standing.

7) The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) administers exchange programs for undergraduate students, graduate students, educators, professionals, artists, and cultural ambassadors through its Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’:

Academic Programs Office;
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad Program;
Center for International Education;
Institute of International Education’s FHI 360 Global Learning Fellows Program; and
Center for English Language Training.

8) Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship Program

Rotary International supports students who want to study abroad for at least three months during their college years. Students must be U.S. citizens and enrolled in an accredited two- or four-year institution, but need not attend school full time.

Applicants do not have to be affiliated with Rotary clubs, though preference is given to those who are members or show evidence of community service and dedication outside of school hours.

Conclusion

While there are a number of scholarships available for study abroad, sometimes it’s more about what you can do with them. Take full advantage of each opportunity by focusing on your goals and making sure that each scholarship you apply for meets those requirements.

If you want your trip to include volunteer work or internships, then find scholarships that support those activities. If you want help paying for intensive language training in a country where English is not commonly spoken, find scholarships geared toward language acquisition, and don’t stop until you’ve exhausted all options.

There is no shortage of money out there for students who need support going abroad, so stay focused and motivated. You could have a ton of fun along with an experience that changes your life.