College and university students interested in participating in Study Abroad programs have several scholarship possibilities to help them pay for these opportunities. These scholarships are available through individual institutions,as well as from government agencies,large corporations,campus organizations such as Phi Kappa Phi and civic groups such as Rotary International.
Study Abroad scholarships are awarded based on a variety of factors. There are ones for students with financial needs,academic achievements and specific study pursuits,as well as those for students of specific racial and ethnic backgrounds and genders. These scholarships to study outside the United States have deadlines,and students interested in participating in the Spring 2011 semester might want to start applying for them. Some Study Abroad scholarship opportunities include:
Alliance for Global Education Scholarships:Students accepted into Alliance Study Abroad programs offered by colleges and universities throughout the United States can apply for financial needs-based assistance up to $6,000 for the fall and spring terms and $2,500 for the summer term. For Spring 2011,the Alliance for Global Education also offers $7,000 Alliance Chinese Scholar Awards to students with financial needs and outstanding potential and interest in Chinese language. Applications for the Spring 2011 scholarships other than the Chinese Scholar Award must be received by Nov. 15,while applications for the Chinese Scholar Award must be received by Nov. 1.
American Institute for Foreign Studies (AIFS) Scholarships:AIFS offers a variety of scholarships for students participating in programs to study outside the US in business,engineering and more at any of its 24 international campus locations. AIFS scholarship offerings include $1,000 essay-based summer and semester scholarships to students with strong academic achievements and those offered in partnership with the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities. Partner scholarships provide outstanding Hispanic students and students at National Association For Equal Opportunity in Higher Education member institutions 50 percent off AIFS Study Abroad program costs. Applications for Spring 2011 must be postmarked by Oct. 1. For information:The American Institute for Foreign Studies website.
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships:Gilman scholarships of up to $5,000 are intended for students with high financial needs,community college students,students with diverse ethnic backgrounds,disabilities and those under-represented in fields such as science and engineering. The money is designed for non-traditional overseas destinations,and scholarship amounts depend upon student need and length of study. Gilman scholarship recipients are also eligible for another $3,000 in Critical Need Language scholarship money for studying languages such as Arabic,Chinese,Korean,Russian,Persian and Swahili. Applications for Spring 2011 must be submitted by 11:59 p.m.,Oct. 5. For information:The Institute of International Education website.
Foundation for Asia-Pacific Education Scholarships:This Colorado-based foundation offers several scholarships for students participating in programs in specific Asian countries,as well as Australia,New Zealand,South Pacific islands and more. Foundation for Asia-Pacific Education scholarships include $500 to $1,000 general scholarships;$1,000 to $2,000 STA Travel,Inc.,scholarships for students with specific majors,and $1,000 Diversity Abroad/GlobaLinks Learning Abroad Scholarships for students with specific ethnic backgrounds and family incomes of less than $50,000. The deadline for scholarship applications for Study Abroad programs that begin Jan. 1-Apr. 30,2011 is Jan. 5,2011. For information:The Foundation for Asia-Pacific Education website.
Fund for Education Abroad Scholarships:These scholarships are designed for students studying outside the country for a minimum of four weeks as part of programs eligible for credit at the institutions they attend. Students must establish a financial need and apply the scholarship money to programs that involve language studies and ‘sustainable service-learning or volunteering’elements at non-traditional destinations. The Fund for Education Abroad begins accepting applications for the 2011-2012 academic year in early September 2010.