Scholarships

Many general scholarships for undergraduate and graduate study in the U.S. can be applied to study abroad. You should check to see if you are eligible to apply for general scholarships that are not specific to, but can be applied, to study abroad. There also are a huge number of study abroad specific scholarships available with varying eligibility criteria and deadlines. If finances for studying abroad are a concern, you are encouraged to begin searching and applying for scholarships as soon as possible.

Sometimes the study abroad program provider itself has scholarships available (especially when these are U.S.-based institutions). You should check with your program provider/host university to learn if any scholarship opportunities are offered to their participants.

Research scholarships early to make sure you do not miss any deadlines!

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Scholarship Resources

  • National/Regional Scholarships
    • Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
      This program serves undergraduate students who have been under-represented in study abroad which includes but is not limited to: students with high financial need, students in under-represented fields such as the sciences and engineering, students from diverse ethnic backgrounds, and students with disabilities. To be eligible, students must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant at the time of application or during the time they are studying abroad. Contact your OIE advisor for more info.
    • Gilman-McCain Scholarship
      The Gilman-McCain Scholarship provides awards of $5,000 for child and spousal dependents of active or activated United States military personnel during the time of application (including Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy, Navy Reserve, Space Force, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and USPHS Commissioned Corps) to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs. Applicants must be recipients of any type of Title IV federal financial aid during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving Title IV federal financial aid during their study abroad program or internship. Contact your OIE advisor for more info.
    • Boren Scholarships and Fellowships
      Boren scholarships are available for undergraduate students and Boren fellowships for graduate students. Both provide funding for U.S. students focusing on languages, geographic regions, and academic areas considered critical to U.S. interests. Recipients must fulfill a national security service requirement. Award recipients must study abroad in countries outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. Please contact the Office of External Fellowships for more information.
    • BUTEX North American Scholarships
      This scholarship is open to all undergraduate students currently registered at an institution in the U.S. or Canada. To be eligible to apply, you must have been offered a place as a study abroad or exchange student in a UK university which is a member of BUTEX (British Transatlantic Exchange Association).
    • Fulbright Scholarships
      Sponsored by the United States Department of State, Fulbright is the largest U.S. international exchange program offering opportunities for students, scholars, and professionals to undertake international graduate study, advanced research, university teaching, and teaching in elementary and secondary schools worldwide. The Fulbright programs offer various scholarships.
    • Fund for Education Abroad (FEA)
      FEA was created in order to open doors for deserving education abroad students. FEA awards funds for students planning to study abroad on any academically rigorous program. Designed by the Advisory Board, FEA scholarships are intended to meet the financial needs of students who might not be eligible for government grants or existing funds limited to specific programs or groups of students.
    • The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
      The DAAD is a publicly-funded, independent organization of higher education institutions in Germany. A large number and variety of scholarships and fellowships to study in Germany are available to American undergraduate students, graduate students, researchers, and faculty members.
    • Go! Study Abroad Scholarship
      Go! Overseas offers scholarships to students based on entries that display creativity, analytical thinking, and passion for studying abroad.
    • Freeman-ASIA
      Freeman Awards for Study in Asia (Freeman-ASIA) provides scholarships for U.S. undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia.
    • Bridging Scholarships for Study in Japan
      The Association of Teachers of Japanese Bridging Project accepts applications from American students participating in study abroad programs in Japan. Undergraduate students majoring in any field of study are eligible to apply for these scholarships.
    • Asia Institute scholarships
      The Asia Institute offers scholarships for International Business and Engineering students who are attending a university in the United States to participate in global learning experiences in Asia.
    • The Dante Alighieri Society Academic Scholarships
      These awards have been established to enable undergraduate students to advance their study of the Italian language, culture, music, art, and history. There are two different scholarships available - academic scholarships and music scholarships. Selection of winners is made on the basis of their interest in Italian culture, previous academic performance, the merit of their proposed study, and letters of recommendation.
    • Il Circolo Italiano Scholarship Program
      This program awards one scholarship per year to a Colorado undergraduate who plans to study abroad in Italy. Selection is based on academic performance, letters of recommendation, financial need, and pursuit of the Italian language.
    • New Zealand Generation Study Abroad Excellence and Travel Awards
      Multiple scholarships funded by Education New Zealand and New Zealand tertiary institutions to support Generation Study Abroad students with excellence and travel awards. 
    • 12 Study Abroad Scholarships for LGBT Students
      Link to multiple scholarships for members of the LGBTQ+ community with diverse opportunities for differing identities and degree programs.
    • Inclusive Ireland Scholarship
      Scholarships available to BIPOC students studying at Maynooth University, University of College Cork, or a participating Irish institution.
    • Study in Wales Scholarship
      Scholarships available to students studying at institutions in Wales.
    • Study in NL Scholarship
      Scholarships available to students studying at institutions in the Netherlands.
  • DU Department Scholarships
    • Clara Rosen Music Award for Italy
      The Clara Rosen Music Award Endowed Fund provides financial support to undergraduate or graduate students in AHSS, who are studying music at the Lamont School of Music and will embark on a study abroad or music program in Italy. Although preference is given to voice students, instrumental students are also encouraged to apply. Students must be currently enrolled in good standing at DU, have an academic focus on music performance, have demonstrated financial need and must apply for the award to support their participation. Recipients shall be selected by a faculty committee of The Lamont School of Music and must maintain a 3.0 GPA or better to be eligible to receive the award. Students can apply online through the Lamont Student Professional Development Program, found under the Lamont Tab in MyDU.
    • DU Italian Majors
      The Taglialavore and Anna Maglione-Sie Scholarships are funding opportunities for Italian Majors studying abroad.

    Other DU academic units may offer scholarship awards towards study abroad. Check with your department on campus to see if any awards that you are eligible for may be available. 

  • Program-Specific Scholarships
  • Study Abroad Scholarship Resources

    Many search engines also exist to help you access and find a variety of study abroad scholarships.