Study Abroad Scholarships

AMIDEAST – Offers need-based and blog-abroad scholarships to U.S. citizens and permanent resident students accepted to AMIDEAST programs only. Awards range from $500-$5,000, typically, and preference is given for first-generation college students, students demonstrating academic excellence, and those underrepresented in study abroad. For more information, see the link above. Deadlines are typically March 15 (summer abroad), April 15 (fall/academic year abroad), and October 15 (spring abroad).

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program - This scholarship is the largest study abroad scholarship in the nation, awarding over 2,800 awards annually for undergraduate U.S. students who are Pell grant eligible. Selected recipients are awarded up to $5,000, depending on the length of their program, to defray the costs associated with studying abroad (credit-bearing internships now eligible for funding as well). Addt’l funding for Critical-Need Languages is available as well. Non-Western world study abroad is particularly emphasized. Deadline typically early October for spring/early summer; early March for summer, fall, and academic year applications.

Interested students should contact the Office of Scholars and Fellowships, fellowships@richmond.edu, or (804) 662-3060, as this award is competitive and assistance can be given with the application process.

Boren Awards – Boren awards provide support to U.S. undergraduates who will pursue the study of languages and cultures currently underrepresented in study abroad and critical to U.S. national security. Service with the U.S. government is required upon graduation. World regions included are Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded. Maximum award is $8,000/summer, $10,000/semester, or $20,000/academic year (summer + semester or year is also possible). Summer only awards are restricted to STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, or math). Boren special initiatives include an ROTC Initiative as well as African and South Asian Languages Initiatives. Webinars are also available--click here for the schedule. 

Interested students should contact the Office of Scholars and Fellowships, fellowships@richmond.edu, or (804) 662-3060, as this award is competitive and assistance can be given with the application process. The campus deadline (earlier than the national deadline) is typically early/mid-January for the following academic year.

Bridging Scholarships - For study abroad in Japan. Majors in any field are eligible. Prior Japanese language study is not a prerequisite. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and full-time undergraduates at a U.S. college or university. Semester and year-long abroad students can be awarded up to $2,500 and $4,500 in scholarship money respectively. The deadline is typically mid-March for fall, year, or the following spring semester (note that there is no separate, later deadline for spring). Typically 75 awards for fall/year and 25 awards for spring. For more information, please click on the web link above.

British Council - Search for a variety of scholarship funding opportunities for study in the UK via this search tool. Click on the link above; when page opens, click to search for scholarships and financial support. Deadlines and eligibility requirements vary. 

BUTEX International Scholarship – Awards for UK study at BUTEX partners (see website for list of members; includes UR partners U. of Bath, East Anglia, Goldsmiths, Lancaster, LSE, Queen Mary, and Warwick). Value of award is £500. Application deadline is typically mid-June prior to a semester or year abroad. See link above for more information.

Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program – This is a 6-week summer program for undergraduates to provide a deeper understanding of current issues and trends in international affairs. The 15 selected Rangel Scholars attend specific classes, participate in local activities (such as visits to the Pentagon, U.S. Congress, etc.), and live at Howard University (in Washington, D.C.). Applicants must be U.S. citizens with at least a 3.2 cumulative GPA. Award includes tuition, housing, 2 meals per day, and air/train travel to the program. Budget-permitting, there is also a $3,200 stipend, which students will use to cover the cost of books, local transport, and personal expenses. The deadline for receipt of applications is typically very early February of the year in which the summer award is granted.

Interested students should contact the Office of Scholars and Fellowships, fellowships@richmond.edu, or (804) 662-3060, as this award is competitive and assistance can be given with the application process.  

Chinese Government Scholarship – This award was established by the Ministry of Education of China (MoE) to provide scholarships to international students and scholars and is managed by the China Scholarship Council (CSC). Scholarships (both full and partial) are available to undergraduate and graduate students, but applicants must be non-Chinese citizens. Awards of varying duration (minimum 1 year) available. See link above for more information. Deadline: Varies, between January and early April of year preceding abroad experience. Students may also access this guide to Chinese government scholarships.

Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) - Various need- and merit-based scholarships totaling five million dollars per year for studying abroad on CIEE’s summer, semester, or yearlong programs. Including initiatives such as Global Access Initiative (GAIN), Language Intensive Focus Track Scholarship (LIFT), Gilman Go Global, and many other awards, CIEE offers scholarships for students including but not limited to: first generation college students, underrepresented social or ethnic groups, academic excellence, documented disability, demonstrated financial need, military veteran/ROTC, specific majors or majors underrepresented in study abroad, like the sciences, and more. Deadlines: typically April 1 for summer, fall semester, and academic year abroad (same year as the start of study abroad experience); typically October 15 for spring semester and calendar year abroad (year prior to studying abroad).

Critical Language Scholarships (CLS) - The U.S. Department of State and the American Councils for International Education offer scholarships for intensive overseas study during the summer in "critical need" languages such as Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bangla, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, and Urdu. U.S. citizens in all disciplines are encouraged to apply. This program is great for students interested in applying for the Fulbright in the future, as language experience enhances a Fulbright application. The deadline is typically in mid-November for the following summer. 

Interested students should contact the Office of Scholars and Fellowships, fellowships@richmond.edu, or (804) 662-3060, as this award is competitive and assistance can be given with the application process.

DAAD - The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers scholarships for students planning to study in Germany for 4-10 months (some shorter summer study abroad scholarships available for select programs as well). There are multiple awards to select from, including undergraduate and postgraduate opportunities. See DAAD website for additional details well in advance of your study abroad experience, as the deadlines for these awards are very early.

Interested students should contact the Office of Scholars and Fellowships, fellowships@richmond.edu, or (804) 662-3060, as this award is competitive and assistance can be given with the application process.

DIS Study Abroad in Scandinavia (DIS-Denmark/DIS-Sweden) – Students accepted to study abroad on the DIS-Denmark/Sweden program may wish to consider applying for a DIS need-based scholarship or diversity grant. There are also merit-based scholarships available for DIS students.  Award amounts and qualifications vary, depending on award. Deadlines are October 15 for spring, March 15 for summer, and April 1 for fall/year. For more information and the application, see link above. Amy Bergmann is the DIS study abroad/scholarship advisor (abergman@richmond.edu).   

Education New Zealand – Offers excellence and travel awards specific to New Zealand. Scholarship offerings differ by nationality and field of study. Explore the platform listed above to learn more. The deadline for spring abroad is typically late November and the deadline for fall abroad is typically late April.

Forum Award for Academic Achievement Abroad - For students who have already been abroad and who conducted research while abroad, the Forum Award is a great way to showcase your efforts. Each year two students may be nominated by Richmond. If selected for the award, winners are invited to attend the Forum Conference at no cost to present a summary of their research & international experience at a special session. Research papers by the winners may also be published online in Frontiers, an online Forum journal. Each year the national deadline is at the end of August, but students must submit materials earlier for the campus deadline in order to be considered for nomination by Richmond. The campus deadline is typically in early August. For more information, click on the link above and/or contact abergman@richmond.edu. 

Freeman-ASIA – Up to 400 need-based scholarships available for U.S. citizen/permanent resident undergraduates to study abroad in east or southeast Asia. Award amounts vary from $3,000/summer, $5,000/semester, and $7,000/academic year. Award details, webinar information, and the online application are available at the link above. A service project is required upon completion of the study abroad. Deadlines are typically in early March for summer; early April for fall/academic year; early October for spring. Interested students should contact abergman@richmond.edu in the Office of International Education, as advisor certification is required as part of the application process.

Fulbright UK Summer Institutes – Award funds summer study in the UK for U.S. citizens with at least two years of undergraduate study left to complete who have a minimum 3.7 GPA. Students choose to apply to 1 of 9 participating institutes in the UK. Students in all disciplines are encouraged to apply. The deadline to apply for summer is typically in early February, depending on the institute. Note: Successful awardees who wish to receive academic credit for the summer program must first register the experience with the Office of International Education.

Fund for Education Abroad – Up to 70 need-based awards between $1,250 and $10,000, depending on the duration abroad, designed to support rigorous language and culture learning for U.S. citizens or permanent residents via high-immersion study abroad experiences. Preference for non-traditional destinations, programs that incorporate service-learning or volunteerism, and populations underrepresented in education abroad (first-generation college students, minorities, etc.). In addition to the general awards, there is a specific award for LGBTQI students and some for students planning to study abroad in a specific country (such as Mexico, Vietnam, Denmark, etc.). Deadline is typically in early January for summer/fall abroad and early September for spring abroad.

The Going Abroad Scholarship – Travel site scholarship of $1,500 for two U.S. citizen/permanent resident (undergraduate or graduate) each fall and spring semester to help off-set the cost of studying abroad. Students must submit application and a 3- to 4-minute video essay. See link for more details. Deadlines typically mid-October for spring and mid-March for fall.

Go Overseas Scholarship – This award is for any student applying to study or intern abroad and is not specific to any program or country. Award value: $500. Number of awards available: 1. Deadline to apply: typically early May for fall/year programs, early August for summer programs, and late September for spring programs. Click link above for more information and to apply.

IES Scholarships - IES offers $2.5 million in aid to students accepted to IES programs only. Both need-based and merit awards are available, with special mention given to the Diversity Merit-Based Scholarship. There are a variety of awards to consider--application deadlines and procedures vary and are listed online. For more information, see the IES Scholarships webpage. Deadlines are typically November 1 (spring/calendar year abroad) / March 15 (summer internship programs) / April 1 (summer abroad), and May 1 (fall/academic year abroad). Note: IES also offers additional awards for Boren or Gilman recipients (this funding has a later deadline).

Kosciuszko Foundation - Undergraduate and graduate scholarships for U.S. citizens or permanent residents of Polish descent (or those pursuing Polish Studies) to study abroad (semester and year) in Poland. Students who are studying at Jagiellonian University, a Richmond partner university, are encouraged to apply. Minimum 3.0 GPA required. Deadline for fall/year programs typically mid February.

ProjectGO – This Department of Defense language and culture initiative is for any U.S. citizen ROTC student in the Army, Air Force, or Navy for domestic AND study abroad programs focusing on critical languages and countries in the Middle East, Asia, Central Asia, and Africa. Summer awards available at participating institutions (some institutions have grant funding that supports study abroad during the academic year as well). Summer programs are considered fully funded, but exact benefits vary by program. Participation in ProjectGO will not require additional service commitment. Deadline to apply is typically mid-January. See link above.

School for Field Studies - Offers various need-based scholarships for students applying to SFS programs only. SFS matches Pell Grant funding for eligible students, they have Diversity Scholarships (including for first-generation college students), Travel Grants, and Heritage Scholarships, etc. See the SFS website via the link above for more information and the application. Completed applications must be received 60 days prior to the start of the SFS semester program (and 30 days prior to the start of summer programs).

School for International Training - Offers various need-based scholarships totaling approximately 1.6 million dollars/year for students applying to SIT/IHP programs only—individual awards range from $500-$5,000. Note: International students accepted to study on SIT programs are eligible for relevant SIT awards. Highlighted awards: SIT has a Bonner Scholar award and matches Pell Grant funding for eligible students. More than 80% of applicants who apply on time receive funding via an SIT scholarship or grant. Scholarship information and the application is available on the SIT website via the link above. Deadlines are typically April 1 (summer), May 15 (fall), and November 1 (spring). See link above for more information.

Sons of Italy Foundation Scholarships -- The Sons of Italy Foundation offers 10-12 national leadership merit-based grants of $4,000-$25,000 to U.S. citizens of Italian descent (with at least one Italian or Italian-American grandparent), including special study abroad awards. Italian Language Scholarship: Student must be a junior or senior majoring/minoring in Italian language studies and must plan to study Italian while abroad. National Italian American Bar Association Award (for LAW students): Applicant must be a rising first, second, or third year law student. Deadline for fall abroad is typically late February.

St Andrews, Scotland Scholarship – The University of St Andrews, a Richmond exchange partner, offers undergraduate study abroad and exchange students an opportunity to apply for one of several need and merit-based scholarships of up to ₤4,000 for accommodation. Students will be invited to apply for these scholarships after they have been accepted to study abroad at St. Andrews. Spring abroad deadline typically early December; fall abroad deadline typically early May. Learn more via the link above (under “Scholarships”).

You may also want to search for additional sources of funding on these recommended sites: 

• http://iefa.org/, 
• https://www.iie.org/scholarships-programs/,
• http://www.goabroad.com/scholarships-abroad (use drop-downs at top of page to search),
• http://fastweb.com/ (free registration with FastWeb required),
• https://youth.europa.eu/go-abroad/studying/find-and-get-scholarship_en (for funding in Europe only), and/or
• Scholly (smartphone app)