Thanks to an ever-increasing variety of study abroad programs available across both subject and destination, the accessibility and drive to study abroad among students intensifies every year. However, such is not the case for many traditionally underrepresented students, who continue to struggle in their access to education abroad due to socioeconomic factors.
Tuition costs that increase each year coupled with a lack of resources, information, and encouragement outside of higher education institutions about education abroad continues to disproportionately affect minority students and those who are traditionally underrepresented.
However, more study abroad programs also means more study abroad organizations striving to help break down perceptions that study abroad is inaccessible to underrepresented minority students. These organizations are determined to provide resources to help traditionally underrepresented students find a way to fulfill their dreams of education abroad.
Who are traditionally underrepresented students?
Underrepresented students tend to be people of color, first-gen students, community college students, students with disabilities — typically any group not considered “majority”.
The study abroad sphere is currently dominated by white students and those of substantial socioeconomic status; in other words, by those who generally have parents able to pay for their study abroad experience, leaving many other groups underrepresented in study abroad and beyond.
The organizations below are working to change the game for underrepresented students, and rightfully recognize that everyone deserves access to studying abroad and pursuing education overseas regardless of background or financial status.
If you consider yourself an underrepresented student and right now you’re wondering how to study abroad this year or in the future, be sure to research these organizations further and reach out for more information!
[Related: 12 Programs that Offer First Gen & Minority Study Abroad Scholarships]
7 organizations supporting underrepresented groups in study abroad
1. Fund for Education Abroad
While the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) does not offer study abroad programs of their own, they’re doing incredible work in making study abroad experiences accessible to underrepresented students through major scholarships for undergrads. Over the past decade, FEA has awarded $1.7 million in scholarship and grant funds to minority students, first-gen students, and many others who are part of traditionally underrepresented groups. Additionally, they partner with multiple study abroad organizations in order to provide even more scholarships and grants that promote diversity and inclusion in education abroad.
- Check out this scholarship: Fund for Education Abroad General Scholarship
- Deadline: Applications Open: November 11, 2019
- Learn more about FEA
2. IES Abroad
IES Abroad is making education abroad more accessible to students with disabilities (and many other underrepresented groups!). After being accepted to an IES program, students will have the opportunity to apply for their IES Abroad Disability Grant. This is intended for students who want to study abroad but are worried about the financial burden caused by their disability, and is awarded in amounts of $500. IES Abroad may even go as far as to provide additional accommodations for students with disabilities (such as additional time for examinations) free of cost. They offer study abroad programs in dozens of locations!
- Check out this grant: IES Abroad Disability Grant
- Deadline: Summer: April 1; Fall: May 1; Spring: November 1
- Learn more about IES Abroad
3. AIFS
AIFS has knocked it out of the park in regards to supporting underrepresented groups in study abroad. They offer tons of awesome scholarships and grants; these include the Diversity Abroad Achievement Scholarship and the Diversity Abroad Overseas Ambassador Scholarship (both in partnership with DiversityAbroad.com), as well as the HACU-AIFS Scholarship, which is intended for Hispanic students who attend a HACU member institution. Eligibility and award amounts vary. AIFS offers many amazing study abroad programs around the world, so pick your dream destination and you’ll be halfway to having your costs partially covered!
- Check out this scholarship: Diversity Abroad Achievement Scholarship
- Deadline: Fall: April 15; Spring: October 15
- Learn more about AIFS
4. SIT Study Abroad
SIT Study Abroad has a major scholarship award — the SIT Robert Kantor Memorial Scholarship. This $10000 scholarship opportunity is awarded to one student per year, and has narrow eligibility requirements. It is reserved for those who demonstrate extreme financial need, attend a minority-serving institution, are a first-generation college student, and have never previously traveled abroad. Additionally, they provide a Pell Grant Match Program, as well as Hispanic-serving Scholarships and HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) Scholarships.
- Check out this scholarship: SIT Robert Kantor Memorial Scholarship
- Deadline: Summer: April 1; Fall: May 15; Spring: November 1
- Learn more about SIT Study Abroad
5. CAPA The Global Education Network
CAPA considers their Diversity Advocates Scholarship Program an extension of their core philosophy of increasing student diversity and providing participants the framework to explore their identities. This scholarship is $1000 per semester, and reserved for undergrads focused on social justice, access, inclusion, or diversity. Additionally, students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) are provided with an automatic $1000 grant for a fall or spring semester program, or $500 for a summer program. Finally, CAPA has also partnered with FEA (listed above!) to provide scholarships of up to $5000 to traditionally underrepresented groups.
- Check out this grant: HBCU Grant
- Deadline: Automatic upon admission
- Learn more about CAPA
6. IFSA, The Institute for Study Abroad
Diversity and inclusion are cornerstones of IFSA. They believe that study abroad should be seen as an option for every student regardless of circumstance. To promote this, they offer the IFSA Diversity Scholarship (again, partnered with FEA!), which is reserved for traditionally underrepresented groups in study abroad. Awards reach up to $10000 for a year-long program, $5000 for a semester, and $1250 for a summer. Additionally, they also offer a First Generation College Student Scholarship in the amount of $2500, intended to provide first-gen students with significant financial, academic, and pre-professional support.
- Check out this scholarship: First Generation College Student Scholarship
- Deadline: Summer/Fall/Academic Year: March 1; Spring: October 1
- Learn more about IFSA
7. CET Academic Programs
CET also prides themselves on their cornerstone principles of diversity and inclusion, striving to make study abroad accessible to all students — their website even breaks down diversity resources available by program. For their Need-Based Scholarships, priority is given to Pell Grant-eligible students. Furthermore, their Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship is awarded to first-generation college students and students from racial and ethnic minority groups in amounts of $2000 for fall and spring programs, and $1500 for summer programs. Finally, students attending HBCUs will automatically receive $1000 for fall and spring programs and $500 for summer programs.
- Check out this scholarship: Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship
- Deadline: Summer: March 1; Fall: May 1; Spring: November 1
- Learn more about CET
There are resources available for underrepresented students in study abroad
Feeling inspired? Get excited to discover YOUR dream study abroad experience!
For traditionally underrepresented groups in study abroad, there ARE resources available to help you fulfill your study abroad dreams. Many study abroad organizations are aware of the disparity in demographics in education abroad enrollment, and they are hoping to combat it through offering scholarships and resources to those who may not otherwise feel enabled to study abroad.
Don’t count out your ideal study abroad experience based on financial need. Scholarships from FEA, IES Abroad, AIFS, and more were created to help you feel empowered and inspired to travel and pursue your studies abroad. For underrepresented students, study abroad is within your reach!
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This article was written with support from the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA). FEA prides themselves on their commitment to increase the number of underrepresented American college students engaged in international education. Their annual Scholar Gala is November 21, 2019 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. at the House of Sweden in Washington, DC; almost all proceeds from the event go directly into scholarship funds.
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