Scholarships
Study abroad is one of the best decisions you can make. As part of our mission at Arcos Learning Abroad we work very diligently to provide affordable programming for our students. We do not want to let financial concerns deter you from pursuing your goals of study abroad. If you need financial assistance, there are many resources available. If you are eligible for Financial Aid these funds can be used on our study abroad programs. Make sure to meet with your study abroad office and financial aid department on campus to get the details. Below is a list of scholarships that can help you in your funding search.
Scholarship List
Please note that this is not a comprehensive list and the information can change quickly. Our intention is that this can serve as a starting point for your scholarship search.
Allianz Global Assistance USA is hosting a national scholarship contest called ScholarTrips that will award six $2,500 scholarships to students seeking to enrich their education through international travel. Application is easy: - Pick an international destination - Create a 60–90 second video, or write a 500 word essay What inspires you to travel abroad? Deadline is November 10. Students who are at least 14 years old and are legal residents of the U.S. are eligible. One entry per person. Travel can be school-organized, volunteer-oriented, or an independent program as long as there is a focus on learning.
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.
A very useful guide that breaks down funding options to help students and parents minimize the cost of studying abroad. This guide also explains how students can stay on track and manage their finances while abroad.
One of the largest scholarship resource databases for African American students.
Boren Scholarships for undergraduate study abroad. Created in 1991, NSEP awards undergraduate scholarships and graduate fellowships to American students for study of world regions critical to U.S. interests. Boren Scholarships can provide up to $20,000 for undergraduate students to study abroad in countries throughout Latin America. This program encourages applications from all qualified U.S. students who plan to study abroad.
College Board: Scholarship Search
General scholarship search engine and free online scholarship database.
This scholarship is to support students at member institutions who want to participate in a study abroad program. The scholarship is open to any student who meets eligibility requirements and is presently attending a CLA college or university. A CLA college or university is one where a member of the College Language Association is presently employed or is a retiree.
Dr. Natalia Gómez Passport Scholarship
Dr. Natalia Gómez of Michigan motivated, inspired, and encouraged Juanita Lillie to pursue her passions and follow her dreams which led to the creation of Abroad With Disabilities in 2014. Dr. Gómez's unwavering support, dedication, and guidance since inception is why she is the scholarship's namesake. The Dr. Natalia Gómez Passport Fund was established to empower persons with disabilities to pursue their dreams to study, work, intern, travel, volunteer, and expand their horizons abroad. Far too many times individuals have felt discouraged and/or intimidated by the perspective of traveling abroad due to their disability; we have even heard individuals worry that traveling abroad was "impossible." "AWD does not acknowledge the word impossible; we believe that it's just improper grammar! The word is NOT impossible but "I'M POSSIBLE" and AWD is here to show you just how possible the world can be with a disability!"
Free online scholarship database.
Grants and scholarships can come from the federal government, your state government, your college or career school, or a private or nonprofit organization. Do your research, apply for any grants or scholarships you might be eligible for, and be sure to meet application deadlines!
The FEA is committed to increasing the opportunities for dedicated American students to participate in high-quality, rigorous education abroad programs by reducing financial restrictions through the provision of grants and scholarships.
Gilman International Scholarship Program
The Gilman International Scholarship Program provides awards of up to $5,000 for U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad for a minimum of 21 days up to a full academic year. The program aims to diversify the kinds of students who study abroad and the countries and regions where they go. The program serves students who have been underrepresented in study abroad which includes but is not limited to: students with high financial need, community college students, students in underrepresented fields such as the sciences and engineering, students from diverse ethnic backgrounds, students attending minority-serving institutions, and students with disabilities. The Gilman Program seeks to assist students from a diverse range and type of two-year and four-year public and private institutions from all 50 states.
Go Overseas Study or Intern Abroad Scholarship
Any student currently enrolled in an American institution who wants to study or intern abroad can apply to the scholarship. Winners will be selected based on their creativity, enthusiasm, and social media posts. One winner will receive a Go Overseas swag bag and $500 to participate in whichever study or intern abroad program they choose.
GoAbroad: Travel Scholarships & Financial Resources
It might be overwhelming to sift through all of the options available, but it’s worth the effort, and GoAbroad is there to help you every step of the way. Their website provides great advice on how to navigate study abroad scholarships and financial resources.
Golden Key International Honour Society
Nonprofit organization founded to recognize academic achievement among college and university students in all disciplines. It is the largest collegiate honor society, encompassing 375 chapters at colleges and universities in Australia, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Africa, The Bahamas and the United States. The name, Golden Key International Honour Society, was designed to reflect its diversity and global presence.
Hostelling International USA Travel Scholarships
At the core of HI USA’s mission is our desire to support people of all ages in their pursuit of travel as a means of better understanding the world and people from different cultures. We know that summoning the courage to travel is a big step, and we do not want those who are eager to experience the world to be discouraged by the cost. Knowing this, the HI USA Community Hostelling Fund was established to support travel scholarship programs in 14 cities metropolitan areas across the country aimed at helping travelers aged 18 to 30 realize their dreams.
This resource features detailed descriptions of hundreds of study abroad scholarships, fellowships, grants, and paid internships for U.S. undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate students, and professionals.
International Education Financial Aid
IEFA is the premier Internet resource for financial aid information for students wishing to study in a foreign country. On this site, you will find the most comprehensive listing of grants, scholarships, loan programs, and other information to assist students in their pursuit to study abroad.
International Student & Study Abroad Scholarship Search
The best study abroad and international student scholarship search online.
These scholarships were established to support LGBT students in achieving their higher education goals. Many of the sponsoring organizations listed not only provide scholarships, but empower LGBT students through mentorships, counseling, leadership development, and more. Some listed are also available to allied students.
The largest educational lender in the USA.
Shawn Carter Foundation & Jay Z
This scholarship program is designed to expand the global experiences and leadership opportunities for underserved students through establishment of full study-abroad scholarships.
STA Travel Start the Adventure Scholarships
Two FEA/STA Travel Start the Adventure Scholarships ($2,500 each) will be awarded to applicants studying during the summer semester. In turn, two STA Travel Advisor Awards ($2,500 each) will be granted to the study abroad department of these FEA/STA Travel Start the Adventure Scholarship recipients, in order for the department to strategically fund another student participating on a study abroad program in the same academic year. These discretionary awards serve as capacity-building grants for the study abroad department to increase their reach among the student population.
StudyAbroad.com: Scholarship Listings
An extensive database of varying types of scholarships available to students interested in studying abroad.
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi
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. Fifty $1,000 grants are awarded each year. Please read their page for more information. You do not have to be a member of Phi Kappa Phi to apply.
The Jane Gluckmann and Carol Rausch “Go Global” Scholarship
This scholarship was created in loving memory of two wonderful mothers, departed from this world much too early, who inspired their children to travel the globe and engage with other cultures, ultimately leading to their commitment to the field of international education. The "Go Global" Scholarship is pleased to announce this scholarship as Labor Day weekend approaches in the U.S. since there truly is no greater labor than that of being a mother. The scholarship will be awarded to a student accepted to study abroad in Mexico, Central America, South America, regions which held special significance to these two amazing women.
Student Guide is the most comprehensive resource on student financial aid from the U.S. Department of Education. Grants, loans, and work-study are the three major forms of student financial aid available through the Department's Student Financial Assistance office.
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) fosters mutual understanding between the United States and other countries through international educational and training programs.
University of Houston: Tier One Scholarship
University of Houston Tier One Scholars receive a $2,000 stipend to help support a qualifying study abroad experience. Tier One Scholars are encouraged to use this stipend for a language immersion program. You may choose any Arcos Learning Abroad program to apply the $2,000 University of Houston stipend.