Study Abroad Scholarship Information

There are numerous scholarships available to students applying to study abroad. Some scholarships are specific to certain locations or certain students, but most students will be eligible for at least 1-2 scholarships, if not more! If you have additional questions that are not addressed below, please contact the Study Abroad Programs office (click on the "About Us" link to the left for hours and contacts).

How much are study abroad scholarships?

The amount of study abroad scholarships varies greatly, with some scholarships worth a few thousand dollars and others that are rather small (the latter is more common). Regardless of the potential amounts of any scholarships for which you apply, it is unrealistic to assume that you will receive enough scholarship money to cover a large portion of your program costs. Apply to ALL scholarships for which you are eligible and hope for the best outcome! At the same time, have a back-up funding source (i.e. loans, family resources, savings) in case you do not receive any scholarships or do not receive as much as you hoped for.

Please also refer to the Affording Study Abroad page and the Financial Aid page for information about other sources of funding and strategies to make study abroad affordable for you. A study abroad advisor can also provide guidance and advice.

How can I find information about study abroad scholarships?

1. Browse through general study abroad scholarships (listed below) that apply to multiple programs and students.


2. Find scholarships that are specific to certain programs, countries or fields of study. These scholarships are listed on the web pages for each program: click on "Programs" at the top of the screen and searching for the program you're interested in or browse program options for certain locations. Scroll down each program's web page to view a list of possible additional scholarships.

How can I write a strong scholarship essay?

View the tips sheet available here.

Wide-Eligibility Scholarships (many students will be eligible)

• CU-Boulder Study Abroad Scholarship: For any student applying to a CU-Boulder program. Deadlines are shortly after your CU-Boulder study abroad program application deadline (early October, early March). Click the link for exact deadlines and additional information.
• Fund for Education Abroad Scholarships: Wide eligibility, but deadline once per year in November for the following academic year (so spring students must apply over a year in advance!)
• Foundation for Global Scholars: Fairly wide eligibility.
• Gilman Scholarship: For students currently receiving Pell grants as part of their federal financial aid.
• Global Studies Foundation student grant: Very wide eligibility.
• Go! Overseas Study Abroad Scholarships: Very wide eligibility - most students will be eligible.
• IIE Adell and Hancock Scholarship: Wide eligibility.
• SR Education Group Study Abroad Scholarship: Wide eligibility, but only awarded once per year in spring.
• Travel Writing Contests
• Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) Grants: For undergraduate research or creative work projects including projects while studying abroad. Application deadline is early!
• Most CU-Boulder campus scholarships will also apply to a term on a CU Boulder approved Study Abroad Program. For a list of possibilities, please visit: http://www.colorado.edu/finaid/scholarships.html

Scholarships for Certain Majors/Fields of Study

• Banks Family Scholarship (for business students)
• CU College of Music study abroad scholarship
• Dante Alighieri Society Academic Scholarship and Music Scholarship: These scholarships are awarded to front range area students. Applications are accepted in early spring for the following year’s terms.
• Frank Huntington Beebe Fund for Musicians
• The Fund for Education Abroad offers scholarships to students majoring in the sciences, math, engineering or technology fields.
• Global Grants: For current IAFS majors and/or current G-RAP participants.
• Goldberger Scholarship: The Goldberger Scholarship is granted annually to up to two undergraduate or graduate students in the Jewish Studies program with plans to study abroad or do a cultural immersion program. Summer and semester-length programs are eligible.
• Herodotus Travel Grant for Classics majors: Offered by the CU-Boulder Classics Department
• IIE Whitaker Int’l Scholarship Program: for Biochemistry or Chemical Engineering majors who are planning for a career in Biomedical fields
• James J. Davis Memorial Scholarship for Students Studying Abroad: Preference to Engineering, Math and Science majors
• James W. Martin Memorial Pacific Rim Study Abroad Scholarship: For College of Business students going to a Pacific Rim country who have at least one year of study in the appropriate language. Contact: College of Business Advising Office at 303-492-1807
• National Italian American Foundation scholarships
• Sarah Philipps Memorial Scholarship for English majors who study abroad in the UK or Ireland for a semester or year. The scholarship is given twice per year and is typically $5,000-7,000. To apply, please fill out the CU-Boulder Study Abroad scholarship application by the published deadline.
• STA Scholarships: For MAJORS in Photography, Film and Art, International Business, International Studies, or Foreign Language

Scholarships for Study in Certain Regions/Areas (See the CU-Boulder program-specific webpages for additional scholarships that may be country-specific).

• Ben Brown Scholarship: This scholarship is open to students participating on field-based programs in non-traditional locations for a semester or a year. Award amounts can be as high as $5,000 for a semester or $10,000 for a full year.
• Boren Awards for International Study (NSEP Scholarships): For students studying abroad in Africa, Asia, Russia/Eastern Europe and the Middle East for a full-year (science/technology/engineering/math majors can also apply for a summer or semester. Check the eligibility requirements on the Boren website. The CU campus deadline is February 4, 2013. For tips on applying to the Boren, click here.
• National Italian American Foundation scholarships
• Chinese Government Scholarship Program: The application is available online here (students have to register on the site to have access to the application).
• Study in Australia database: You can search this database to find potential scholarships for study in Australia. Helpful hint: when you search, add the word “undergraduate” in the keyword box. Otherwise, it will pull numerous awards that are only for master’s or PhD students.

Scholarships for Under-Represented Students

• Archaeological Institute of America Minority Scholarship Program: To further an undergraduate's preparation for graduate work in classics or classical archaeology.
• DiversityAbroad.com Scholarships: For African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic/Latino, Multiracial/ethnic or Native-American undergraduate students who have already applied to participate in certain study abroad programs.
• Gilman Scholarship: For students currently receiving Pell grants as part of their federal financial aid.
• Hispanic College Fund: Various scholarships available.
• Mobility International Financial Aid for International Exchange and Disability: Advice for possibly using Supplementary Security Income or Vocational Rehabilitation Funding toward study abroad.
• Institute for International Public Policy Fellowship Program (IIPP): A program that provides students from underrepresented minority groups with education and training experiences critical to entry and advancement in international affairs careers (fellowship includes a study abroad component).
• Study Abroad in Turkey Scholarship: For African American, Hispanic American, Native American and Armenian American full-time undergraduates who have been accepted to a study abroad program in Turkey for a semester or a year.
• Scholarships for Students of Color, Michigan State University: A comprehensive list of scholarships available to students of color considering study abroad.
• Rainbow Scholarship: For LGBT students who aim to participate in a high-quality, rigorous education abroad program.

Other Scholarships

• Boulder Rotary Scholarships: For graduates of certain Boulder area high schools.
• Cassandra Anderson Pyle Scholarship: For CU-Boulder students majoring in the humanities or social sciences who study abroad on a CU-Boulder approved program for a full year.
• Golden Key Study Abroad Scholarships:
• National Society of Collegiate Scholars Scholarships: For NSCS members. http://www.nscs.org/scholar-abroad-scholarship
• Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship: Scholarships up to $25,000 for students studying abroad for a full year. Note that you must apply for these scholarships 18 months in advance!

Other Web Databases for Study Abroad Scholarships

• AllAbroad.us Scholarship Listing: Includes scholarship information for underrrepresented students in study abroad.
• Study Abroad Funding Database: Maintained by IIE
• European Scholarship Portal: Information about scholarships for study abroad in Europe