Scholarships
Studying abroad can be affordable! If you are currently receiving financial aid, it can be applied to a semester of study abroad -- and in some cases to a full year abroad (see the Financial Aid section for more information).
 Photo: Courtesy of FreeFoto.com | In addition, most of our affiliated programs offer scholarships, both need- and merit-based, and it is advantageous to complete the applications for any such awards for which you qualify. There are also several external funding sources for study abroad. Explore the resources below and, again, apply to those for which you qualify. |
I. General Scholarships
Gilman International Scholarship Program -- The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship program is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Institute of International Education. This program seeks to lower barriers to undergraduate study abroad by offering scholarships to students with financial need (students must be receiving a Pell Grant in order to apply). The award is up to $5,000 for semester or academic year programs. Applications are due in late September for spring study abroad and early April for fall/academic year study abroad year programs.
Boren Scholarship/National Security Education Program (NSEP) -- provide up to $20,000 to U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad. Students must study in a country deemed of national security interest (list updated annually on NSEP website) and agreeing to work in the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, State, or the Intelligence Community after graduation.
International Education Financial Aid -- IEFA provides financial aid information for students wishing to study in a foreign country.
Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Scholarships -- Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants are designed to help support undergraduates as they seek knowledge and experience in their academic fields by studying abroad. Forty-five $1,000 grants are awarded each year. One application deadline per year (mid- to late February) and applicants must have applied to an approved study abroad program before submitting a scholarship application. See the Director of the International Office for more details.
GE Foundation Scholar-Leaders Program -- The Scholar-Leaders Program supports outstanding students who are financially disadvantaged or are underrepresented in higher education geographically, ethnically or by gender in academic institutions in 14 countries around the world.
Thomas R Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship -- The Pickering Undergraduate Fellowship program provides funding to participants as they are prepared academically and professionally to enter the United States Department of State Foreign Service. Women, members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, and students with financial need are encouraged to apply.
NAFSA Grants and Scholarships -- NAFSA compiles information on how to obtain scholarships for study abroad.
II. Regional Scholarships
Asia
IWU Study Asia Scholarships -- Funding for study abroad in Asia provided by a US Department of Education grant to Illinois Wesleyan University’s Asian Studies program. These scholarships support the study of Asian culture and further language acquisition. Awards will range from $500 to $2000.
Eligible students will have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 and must meet one of the following criteria:
- Have completed at least the third semester of Chinese or Japanese language at IWU and plan to take at least one course in that language while studying abroad for a semester.
- Have completed at least two semesters of Chinese or Japanese language at IWU and plan to take at least 8 semester hours of language instruction while studying abroad for a semester.
- Have completed the required three semesters of Chinese or Japanese language at IWU and plan to take courses on Asian culture and society while studying abroad in Asia.
- Have completed the required three semesters of language instruction in any foreign language and plan to start learning a new Asian language through a semester-length or summer language immersion program.
For more information or an application, please contact Professor Teddy Amoloza in the Sociology Department or Stacey Shimizu in the International Office.
Bridging Scholarships -- for American students participating in study-abroad programs in Japan. Awards are $2,500 for one semester or $4,000 for a year. Applications are due in April for study abroad during the fall semester/ academic year and early October for study abroad in the spring.
Morgan Stanley Japan Scholarships -- for students with an interest in economics and international finance. Two awards are granted at $7,500 for the year and winners may be considered for a one-month internship at Morgan Stanley Japan's Tokyo headquarters. Applications are due in early April for the academic year.
Summer Junior Fellowship Program in Cambodia -- for American and French undergraduates in their Junior year to introduce them to Cambodia and Khmer civilizations, history and culture with the hopes of encouraging future scholarship in the Mekong region.
Critical Language Scholarships (CLS) -- for intensive summer language institutes overseas in thirteen critical need foreign languages.
Europe
DAAD -- German Academic Exchange Service - The education Undergraduate Scholarship is a flexible scholarship program which offers short-term scholarships for participation in summer study abroad, internships, senior thesis research or summer courses at German universities and long-term scholarships for semester or year study abroad.
British Council -- lists funding and scholarship information for study in the United Kingdom. Provides a search engine for scholarships in the UK.
The IWU German Studies webpage also has a list of grants/scholarships in support of study abroad.
III. Post-Graduate Scholarships
American Association of University Women -- the largest source of funding exclusively for graduate women in the world, supports aspiring scholars around the globe, teachers and activists in local communities, women at critical stages of their careers, and those pursuing professions where women are underrepresented.
Boren Fellowships -- provide up to $30,000 to U.S. graduate students to add an important international and language component to their graduate education through specialization in area study, language study, or increased language proficiency.
Fulbright US Student Program -- For both Americans going abroad. Grants are made to citizens of participating countries, primarily for: university teaching, advanced research, graduate study and teaching in elementary and secondary schools.
Fulbright Scholarships from the US-UK Educational Commission
Marshall Scholarships -- Full awards for graduate (and occasionally undergraduate) study in any discipline at any British university.
Harry S. Truman Scholarships -- The Truman Scholarship provides up to $30,000 in funding to students pursuing graduate degrees in public service fields. Students must be college juniors at the time of selection.
Andrew W. Mellon Fellowships in Humanistic Studies -- The Andrew W. Mellon Fellowships in Humanistic Studies supports exceptionally promising students pursuing doctoral degrees in the humanities.
Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship -- The Pickering Graduate Fellowship program provides funding to participants as they are prepared academically and professionally to enter the United States Department of State Foreign Service. Women, members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, and students with financial need are encouraged to apply.
Rhodes Scholarship Trust -- The Rhodes Scholarships, the oldest international fellowships, were initiated after the death of Cecil Rhodes in 1902, and bring outstanding students from many countries around the world to the University of Oxford.
American-Scandinavian Foundation -- For fellowships and grants ranging from $3,000 to $18,000 for post-graduate study.