Studying abroad is an enlightening and exciting experience, one that many college students look forward to. However, the high cost deters many students from even applying to travel abroad. Fortunately, there are several study abroad scholarships that offer full or partial free funding if you meet their requirements. This study abroad scholarship money can cover your travel, program fees, books, credits, and accommodation costs for high school students, undergraduates, and graduate students.
Types of Study Abroad Scholarships
Because there are several different types of study abroad scholarships, you should check them all out!
- Merit-Based Study Abroad Scholarships. These scholarships are awarded to students who have achieved some success in specific academic, athletic, artistic, or other skills.
- Program-Specific Scholarships. Independent study abroad organizations offer program-specific scholarships. However, only students who choose to study abroad through their specific program are eligible to apply for these scholarships.
- Destination-Specific Scholarships. Governments of various countries offer these scholarships to encourage students to study in their country. However, some universities also offer destination-specific scholarships. Only students who are planning to pursue a program in that specific country are eligible to apply for these awards.
- Subject-Specific Scholarships. Students could earn subject-specific scholarships based on their particular field of study. To be eligible for a subject-specific scholarship, you generally must be enrolled in the specified courses during your study abroad term.
- Student-Specific Scholarships. Gender, race, religion, minority status, or disabilities form the basis for student-specific study abroad scholarship opportunities.
- University-Provided Scholarships. Several universities set funds aside to help students get the chance to pursue a study abroad program. Check with your school’s financial office or academic advisor if your school offers such funding.
- Government-Funded Scholarships. The Fulbright Program is one of many government-funded scholarships that offer funding to students planning on studying abroad.
10 Study Abroad Scholarships
Here are just 10 study abroad scholarships you might qualify for:
1. Bridging Scholarships
Amount: $2,500 / $4,500
Deadline: March 15
If you’re planning on studying abroad in Japan, the Bridging Scholarships should be on your radar. About 70 to 100 students are selected each year, and the winners can receive a $2,500 or $4,500 cash stipend to help fund their education, travel, or cost-of-living expenses.
Offered by the American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ), students must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be enrolled as an undergraduate
- Be planning to studying in Japan for a semester (at least 3 months) or an academic year
- Be enrolled in a study abroad program that will earn them credit towards their U.S. degree
- Not already be studying abroad in Japan
Any major is welcome to apply, and you don’t need to be studying Japanese.
2. Freeman Asia
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Varies
For students planning on studying abroad in select Asian countries, there is the Freeman Asia Scholarship offered by the Institute of International Education. Award amounts depend on the school you’re currently attending and demonstrated financial need. Deadlines also depend on the college and the term you’ll be studying abroad. For example, University of California – San Diego has an internal deadline of early March for Freeman Asia applications, even though the IIE doesn’t require it until early April.
Applications can be submitted through your current college, and you must meet the following eligibility requirements in order to apply:
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Currently receive need-based financial aid or demonstrate financial need for study abroad programs
- Be an undergraduate earning their first bachelor’s or associate degree
- Have a 2.8 GPA or higher
- Have at least one term of enrollment left after the study abroad program is completed
- Be enrolled in a program that awards academic credits that can be used towards U.S degree
- Have little to no previous experience in study abroad country
- Complete the Student Impact Survey and Final Service Report after the program
- Receive endorsement from an academic adviser or counselor
The Freeman Asia scholarship is currently for study abroad programs in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam only.
3. AATF Student Study Abroad Scholarship
Amount: $3,000
Deadline: March 15
In addition to the Bridging Scholarships, the AATF offers the Student Study Abroad Scholarship. Also known as the Jensen Scholarship, this award is for students who are studying to be French teachers.
While the application needs to be submitted by March 15th, two letters of recommendation have to be emailed in to the program by February 28th. In addition, to apply, students need to be:
- At least 18 years old
- A U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- A non-native speaker of French
- Studying abroad in a Francophone country
- Enrolled in a program that will earn credits towards their U.S. degree
- Sponsored by an AATF member teacher
4. Gilman Application
Amount: Up to $5,000
Deadline: October 31 / March 6
The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Gilman Program) helps eligible students cover the cost of education, transportation, and travel while studying abroad. The award can only be used in locations that are considered to be Travel Advisory Levels 1 and 2. A current list of eligible countries and locations within these countries can be found on Travel.State.Gov.
To applying, students need to be:
- A U.S. citizen or national
- An undergraduate student at an accredited U.S. school
- In good academic standing with the college
- A current recipient of the Pell Grant
- Earning credits through the study abroad program
During the application process, students will also have to submit their transcript, three essays, and select a study abroad advisor and a financial aid advisor.
If you’re a dependent of an active U.S. military member, you may also qualify for the Gilman-McCain Scholarship.
5. The Kosciuszko Foundation Year Abroad in Poland Scholarship
Amount: Tuition waiver, two stipends for living expenses
Deadline: March 31
The Kosciuszko Foundation (KF), along with the Policy National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA) offers the Year Abroad in Poland Scholarship. It can be used for the Intensive Polish Language Program at the School of Polish Language and Culture of the Jagiellonian University. Award winners receive a tuition waiver, 1,800 PLN per month (roughly $470 in 2024), and $2,000 per semester.
Applicants need to:
- Be a U.S. citizen and not have dual Polish citizenship
- Be a current sophomore, junior, or senior, or graduate student in college
- Have a 3.0 GPA or higher
Having a demonstrated interest in Polish studies and/or being involved in the Polish/American community is highly recommended as this will impact your chances of winning.
6. King Olav V Norwegian-American Heritage Fund
Amount: Up to $3,000
Deadline: January 15
Offered by the Sons of Norway Foundation, the King Olav V Norwegian-American Heritage Fund is for American students interested in studying in Norway (or Norwegian students interested in studying in the United States).
Open to undergraduates and graduates over the age of 17, Americans must be enrolled in a Scandinavian Studies program in order to apply. Applications must also include:
- An autobiography (150 words or less)
- 500 word or less essay
- Transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation
- Information about financial need
The Sons of Norway has several scholarships, both domestic and international, that you may qualify for on their website.
7. CIEE GAIN Travel Grant
Amount: Up to $1,500 / $500
Deadline: October 15 / April 1
The Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE) offers several scholarships to students, including the Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Travel Grant. This particular award gives students money to put towards their airfare. For semester or quarter programs, students can receive up to $1,500. For shorter programs, such as summer terms, students can receive $500.
To be eligible, students have to submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Submission Summary and complete a CIEE application. Those who apply that have a 10,000 Student Aid Index (SAI) or lower are guaranteed to receive a grant, but those who have higher SAI are still encouraged to apply.
8. CEA CAPA Academic Excellence Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: October 15 / April 1
CEA CAPA offers four different scholarships to students interested in studying abroad, including their Academic Excellence Scholarship. There are 5 awards for fall terms and 10 awards each for summer and spring terms. A merit-based award, applicants need to write an essay (500 words or less) on the supplied prompt.
9. Fund for Education Abroad
Amount: $1,250+
Deadline: September 18 for spring / January for other terms or full year
Completing the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) application allows you to automatically apply to eligible scholarships. Amounts vary between the different awards, as do eligibility requirements. Most awards are for groups who are underrepresented studying abroad, such as minorities, first-generation college students, community college students, and those in need of financial need.
General application requirements include:
- Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient
- Be an undergraduate
- Participation in a study abroad program that earns the student credit towards their U.S. degree
- Have demonstrated financial need
- College-completed Financial Aid Form
- Transcripts
10. USAC Scholarships
Amount: Varies
Deadline: October 1 / March 1 / May 1
The University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) offers over $2 million in scholarships, discounts, and grants to students each year. Their awards are only open to students who are participating in USAC international experiences. Some scholarships they offer include Regional, Term-Specific, Military Service, First Generation Student, Community College, and others. Each award has different eligibility requirements and grants students different amounts.
Students interested in applying for these scholarships, grants, and discounts need to first apply for the USAC Study Abroad Program. Once the student has access to the Student Gateway Account, they can complete the “Scholarship Application: Optional Form.” Completing this form automatically enters the students into any USAC scholarships they qualify for.
Where to Find Study Abroad Scholarships
These aren’t the only study abroad scholarships available! There are ways to find even more. There are awards for specific programs, subjects, counties, and students, as well as scholarships based on financial need or academic criteria.
We recommend using a scholarship database, like our Scholarship Search tool. They use the criteria and information you enter to find scholarships you qualify for. When new ones appear, you’re notified. It makes it easy to find new awards and track your applications.
You can also look at your U.S. college and the college you plan on attending abroad. They could have financial aid available earmarked for study abroad students.
Even if you think studying abroad can be out of reach for you financially, there are scholarships to help make it affordable. Some awards, even if they’re not advertised as “study abroad scholarships” can go towards your travel and education costs. Reading the fine print on various scholarships could help you cut your education costs even further.
Ready to study abroad and find scholarships you qualify for? Head over to our Scholarship Search tool to find thousands of awards you can apply to today!
| Lender | Rates (APR) | Eligibility | |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
5.50%-16.12%* Variable
3.99%-15.61%* Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CITIZENS |
 |
5.54% - 15.70% Variable
3.99% - 15.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT SALLIE MAE |
 |
4.63% - 17.99% Variable
3.49% - 17.99% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT CREDIBLE |
 |
6.00% - 13.75% Variable
3.99% - 13.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT LENDKEY |
 |
5.66% - 14.72% Variable
3.69% - 14.56% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ASCENT |
 |
3.70% - 8.75% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ISL |
 |
5.62% - 16.85% Variable
3.69% - 16.49% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT EARNEST |
 |
5.00% - 14.22% Variable
3.69% - 14.22% Fixed
|
Undergraduate and Graduate
|
VISIT ELFI |
