8 Study Abroad Scholarships that Every Student Should Know About

Funding can be the biggest obstacle for many students looking to study abroad. Often they are overwhelmed by the costs of a study abroad program, and are unaware of the millions of dollars in scholarships available for students to study abroad. However, don’t let the misconception that there isn’t any funding prevent you from exploring the world. There are many study abroad scholarships out there for students of all backgrounds. Here are the top eight study abroad scholarships that you do not want to miss out on. 

1. DiversityAbroad.com Study Abroad Scholarship

Diversity Abroad, in cooperation with the AIFS Foundation, offers $500 scholarships for summer 2013 and fall 2013 study abroad. Five scholarships are available for the summer, and five are available for the fall.

Economically disadvantaged students, first-generation, students with disabilities and ethnic and racial diverse students are strongly encouraged to apply. Click the following link to Apply Now, or Search for eligible study programs and DiversityAbroad.com Study Abroad Scholarship Details.
Deadline: March 1st, 2013 Summer, and April 19th, 2013 for fall 2013.

2. DiversityAbroad.com / CAPA Scholarship

DiversityAbroad.com, in cooperation with CAPA International Education, offers diversity scholarships for students participating on a CAPA study abroad or intern abroad program during the summer 2013 and fall 2013. Fifteen $1,000 scholarships will be awarded for summer 2013 and five tuition scholarships in the amount of $2,000 will be awarded for fall 2013 programs. Scholarship application must be submitted with program application.

Economically disadvantaged students, first-generation, students with disabilities and ethnic and racial diverse students are strongly encouraged to apply. Click the following link to Apply Now.
Request details on CAPA programs in Beijing, Buenos Aires, Florence, Istanbul, London or Sydney.
Deadline: February 15th, 2013 for Summer 2013 and April 19th, 2013 for fall 2013. 

3. DiversityAbroad.com / SIT Scholarship

The DiversityAbroad.com / SIT Diversity Scholarship award offers funding to students participating in SIT study abroad programs. Ten $1,000 scholarships for summer 2013 and five $2,000 scholarships for fall 2013. Scholarship application must be submitted with program application.

Economically disadvantaged students, first-generation, students with disabilities and ethnic and racial diverse students are strongly encouraged to apply. Click the following link to Apply Now.
Deadline: February 22nd, 2013 Summer, and April 19th, 2013 for fall 2013.

4. Boren Awards for International Study
The David L. Boren Scholarships and Fellowships, initiatives of the National Security Education Program, provide unique funding opportunities for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to study in world regions critical to U.S. interests, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Boren Scholars and Fellows represent a variety of academic backgrounds, but all are interested in studying less commonly taught languages, including, but not limited to Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Swahili.

The Boren Awards promote long-term linguistic and cultural immersion, and therefore the majority of Boren Scholars and Fellows study overseas for at least six months. In exchange for funding, recipients make a commitment to seek work in the federal government. Award amounts are up to a maximum of $20,000 for the Boren Scholarships and $30,000 for the Boren Fellowships. Find more information by clicking the following link www.borenawards.org.
Deadline: Boren Fellowship: January 28, 2014, Boren Scholarship: February 5, 2014.

5. API First Generation Scholarship
API is pleased to support students who are first in their families to attend a college or university through a First Generation Scholarship for study abroad. One deserving student each semester will receive an award in the amount of $750 towards the cost of their API program. This scholarship considers both need and merit, and asks students to explain their financial circumstances, and to describe how they feel studying abroad is a valuable use of their time and resources.

Students must have a 2.75 GPA and have applied to an API study abroad program.
To apply, visit http://www.apistudyabroad.com/downloads/PDFs/First_Gen.pdf?1dc5a7.
For more information on all of API's scholarship opportunities, including a FULL TUITION Diversity Scholarship please visit http://www.apistudyabroad.com/students/financial-information/scholarships/.
Deadline: Fall/Year: June 10; Spring semester and winter quarter programs: October 15; Spring quarter: December 15.

6. IES Diversity Scholarships

IES Abroad is committed to fostering and supporting a diverse student body. The Diversity Scholarships are one way to encourage and support students from a range of institutions and underrepresented populations, including students from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, first generation college students, students from low income families and students with a history of overcoming adversity.

IES Diversity Scholarships include the following: HBCU Scholarships, HACU - IES Abroad Merit/Need-Based Scholarships, Merit-Based Scholarships for Under-represented Students, and Merit-Based David Porter Diversity Scholarship (Up to $5,000!)
To be eligible for any IES Abroad aid, you must apply to and attend an IES Abroad program and your home school must be a member or associate member of the IES Abroad Consortium.  In addition, your home school must have a policy of transferring at least 75% of institutional aid for study abroad.
Deadline: Fall/Academic Year Deadline: May 1, Spring/Calendar Year Deadline: October 25.

7. CIEE Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Scholarship

CIEE created the Global Access Initiative (GAIN) to help students overcome the major barriers to studying abroad, namely costs and curriculum requirements. GAIN aids in the diversification of study abroad by providing overseas opportunities for students who are economically challenged, or from diverse backgrounds or underrepresented fields of study. Each year, CIEE provides $1 million in grants and scholarships to expand access for students to full-year, semester, and summer study abroad programs.

Deadline: Summer, fall, and academic year programs: April 1 (Of the year PRIOR to the start of the study abroad program), Winter, spring, and calendar year programs: November 1 (Of the year PRIOR to the start of the study abroad program).

8. The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
The Gilman Scholarship Program offers awards for undergraduate study abroad and was established by the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000. This scholarship provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study abroad programs worldwide.

The Gilman Scholarship Program is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are planning to study abroad. The program aims to diversify the kinds of students who study abroad and the countries and regions where they go by supporting undergraduates who might otherwise not participate due to financial constraints. To learn more about the Gilman Scholarship Program, please Click Here.
Deadline: January 15, 2013 online application opens for fall 2013/AY 2013-2014 study abroad programs. March 5, 2013 Student Deadline for submission of online application, including transcript(s). Must submit application by 11:59pm Central Daylight Time.

Remember, there is no limit to the amount of financial aid you may receive. We encourage you to apply for as many scholarships and grants as you possibly can (the more funding, the better!). Be creative, and be sure to show your passions and creativity when applying. Good luck, and enjoy your experience abroad!