Study Abroad Scholarships

We don’t need to convince you of the benefits of studying abroad, you already know you’ll gain an incredible leg-up in your career, unrivaled hands-on learning experiences, and that itty-bitty thing called increased self-awareness. What we do need to convince you of is that, despite the sometimes-sky-high costs of studying abroad (between the flights, the visas, oh and the tuition fees!), it’s not only within your realm of financial possibility, it’s incredibly plausible at that.

Don’t believe us?

Take a little scroll south and get ready to whistle a different tune. Here’s everything you need to know to land study abroad scholarships.

Today we will tackle:

• WHY Should I Apply for Study Abroad Scholarships?
• WHO Qualifies for Study Abroad Scholarships?
• WHAT Kind of Study Abroad Scholarships are there?
• WHEN Should I Apply for Study Abroad Scholarships?
• HOW to Find Study Abroad Scholarships

Why Should I Apply for Study Abroad Scholarships?

Besides the obvious perks of scoring money, freeing yourself of the financial stressors for study abroad allows you to focus more intently on your personal and professional goals for the trip. Why count your pounds to the last pence when you could be outside enjoying the fresh air (and probably rainfall…) of Great Britain? Why worriedly check your bank account for overdraft fees when you could be making all of your friends jealous with your latest epic selfie?

Committing to spending a semester or summer abroad is not a decision to be taken lightly. By getting actively involved in the process – even the early stages – you’ll experience the satisfaction and delayed gratification that only those who finance their first car can relate to.

Even with more wiggle room in the wallet, you won’t necessarily have to say “au revoir!” to cheap döner kebabs (they’re a late night study abroad staple), but you will give yourself a chance to truly soar as your study abroad self. Besides, picture your Mom and Dad’s faces when you share the good news that you’re a scholarship recipient. Cha-ching for all!

If you get rejected, extract something of value from the application experience and push forward with your newfound knowledge. You’re well on your way to more numbers in the credits column of your bank account from a scholarship provider. Best of luck!

Who Qualifies for Study Abroad Scholarships?

One fish, two fish, red fish, blue fish! Suffice it to say that those students who are currently attending a two or four year institution are eligible to apply for most study abroad scholarships.

Particular study abroad scholarships are available for minorities and other identity groups with the aim of increasing access to study abroad to a wider variety of students. The majority of scholarship selection committees consider a student’s academic qualifications to be influential in their decision, so if you had a semester where you bombed all of your classes, be prepared to do some explaining in your application essays.

What Kinds of Study Abroad Scholarships are There?

There are multiple kinds of study abroad scholarships out there, good news for students who are gung-ho to apply for many awards.

Fully-funded scholarships will cover the majority of your costs while abroad. You might need to cover incidental expenses, like those extra slices of hand-tossed pizza in Naples, but your tuition, flights, housing, and other bills are taken care of.

Program-specific scholarships are offered by domestic universities, international universities, and the providers that are organizing your trip. These vary in amounts, from $250 to multiple thousands, as well as vary in application requirements.

Government-sponsored scholarships not only look really good on your resume, but they can also substantially decrease your overhead as you plan your travels. The catch? Your studies usually have to be critical language-oriented or you need to be a first-generation student. Participants with low incomes are also typically eligible for these awards.

When Should I Apply for Study Abroad Scholarships?

Honestly, we’ve never heard anyone say: “If only I’d started my study abroad scholarship application process later.” Generally speaking, you’ll want to hop on and tame the beast as early as possible. Applications can take more time than you initially anticipate, especially considering you’re tacking it on to your already-epic to-do list of the semester.

Be sure to systemize how you juggle deadlines and application requirements – for instance, if you look ahead and know that 5+ apps require recommendation letters, why not ask one fan to print multiple copies of their glowing proposals?

Remember: one scholarship equates to one application. Don’t try to outsmart the system and reuse the same content or essays for multiple awards. Judges can sense the inauthenticity of these generic apps; instead, commit to researching each scholarship individually and catering to their specific requirements. Then boom. Watch the dollars come rolling in.

How to Find Study Abroad Scholarships

Maybe you don’t realize it now, but you have ample amounts of resources available to you to find study abroad scholarships — and most aren’t much further than arm’s reach. Between the internet, your guidance counselor, your university study abroad office, and your financial aid office, you can find study abroad scholarships on a whim.

Like most millennial and Gen Z travelers, the easiest resource to consult for information is…well, the internet. What you’re using right now. *Hi!* And lucky for you, this page is a gold mine of information and potential scholarships for studying abroad.

We’ve compiled a big ol’ directory of incredible study abroad scholarships here, and you can also browse TOP scholarships just below.