Study Abroad Scholarships: Possible Funding Sources for Studying Abroad

Have you often considered studying abroad, but are afraid you can’t afford the accompanying expenses? Did you know that there are many study abroad scholarships available—funding opportunities for those who would like to study overseas? It’s true. There are currently several scholarships, grants and fellowships available, including study abroad scholarships that are open to everyone and those designed for certain underrepresented students. To illustrate this, below you will find a list that includes just a small sample of these opportunities, along with a brief description of each scholarship program.

Study Abroad Scholarships: Opportunities Available for All Students

Fulbright Program. The Fulbright program is one of the largest and most well-known scholarships for international exchange students. Based in the United States, the Fulbright program is designed to help students and working professionals earn their graduate degree in teaching and research, while simultaneously learning the customs and traditions in one of the 140 countries involved in the exchange program.

Rotary Club Ambassadorial Scholarships. The Rotary Club International is the most renowned service club in the world. Their popular study abroad scholarships program offers a number of financial opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students who wish to pursue a degree in vocational studies. While studying abroad, recipients of these study abroad scholarships will serve as goodwill ambassadors to the host country, and give informational presentations about their homelands to other rotary clubs.

Golden Key Study Abroad Scholarships. The Golden Key study abroad scholarship offers ten, $1000 scholarships to undergraduate students who are currently participating in a study abroad program. Three of the 10 scholarships are presented in October, while the remaining 7 are given out in April each year.

Study Abroad Scholarships for Underrepresented Students.

Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship. The Gilman study abroad scholarships are designed to provide financial assistance to students who have been traditionally underrepresented in study abroad programs. Students in this category include community college students, students with diverse ethnic backgrounds, disabled students and students who wish to pursue a degree in science and engineering. Students eligible for the Gilman scholarship include undergraduates who are currently enrolled in a 2 or 4 year college and are receiving financial assistance through the Pell Grant program.

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Scholarship Program. This study abroad scholarship program is designed to encourage Hispanic students in the United States to enroll at one of the 17 campuses in the Laureate International University network. Scholarships are presented once a year, providing full tuition and other assistance.

Joseph A. Towles African Study Abroad Scholarships. In memory of the beloved Dr. Joseph A. Towles, these study abroad scholarships are open to students currently receiving assistance from the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) program who wish to study abroad in Africa.