Scholarship Opportunities
As a study abroad participant, you have the opportunity to apply for additional scholarships through program providers, independent organizations and governmental aid. Each scholarship has unique requirements that may focus on financial need, academic excellence, non-traditional destinations and underrepresented groups.
You should start researching possible scholarships early-at least one to two years prior to when planning to go abroad. Most scholarship deadlines are well before your program deadline, often a year or more prior to the actual award year. Remember that you may be able to apply general scholarships toward international experiences, so extend your search beyond study abroad scholarships. Also make sure to check with the program sponsor about scholarships designated specifically for their program participants.
There tend to be more scholarships available to students going to non-traditional sites, i.e. outside of Europe and Australia. By going off the beaten path, you may be able to find more scholarship money available.
The list provided, though not exhaustive, includes some frequently recommended scholarships available to WU students.
Scholarships for Washington University Students
Rowe Summer Study Abroad Scholarships for Summer 2009: Overseas Programs is pleased to announce eight (8) $2500 scholarships for summer study abroad in 2009. The Rowe Summer Study Abroad Scholarships are competitive grants awarded to WU undergraduate students demonstrating a high level of financial need. Applicants must either select an approved ArtSci summer program, preferably outside Western Europe, or must successfully petition for an alternative program. Applicants must meet all prerequisites for study abroad, including a minimum 3.0 GPA and suitable academic preparation for the proposed program.
Summer study abroad applications are due February 15, 2009, summer petitions are due February 1, 2009, and Rowe Summer Study Abroad Scholarship applications are due by February 22, 2009. All forms should be submitted to the Overseas Programs office in McMillan Hall.
To apply, please complete the application form,
which includes a section that Student Financial Services should complete, indicating your financial need and amount of aid
currently received. Please submit these materials in person or through campus mail by the deadline to Overseas Programs,
Campus Box 1088, McMillan 138.
Deadline: February 22, 2009
Bemis Summer Research Scholarship in Europe: Offers up to $2,500 to a junior at Washington University to undertake an original project in Europe during the summer prior to his or her final undergraduate year. Projects can be in any field provided that travel to Europe is a necessary condition for their successful completion and preference is given to those students who have not previously been in Europe and have financial need. Please download an application form. Contact Dr. Amy Suelzer at 935-8372 or acsuelze@wustl.edu for more information.
Deadline: January 31 each year
WUCAS Fall Scholarships: In order to encourage fall semester study abroad on the Washington University programs in Chile, Australia and Spain, Overseas Programs in International and Area Studies is offering awards of between $1000 and $3000 for selected students. In each of these three programs, WU has a program director on-site, ample housing, and a curriculum that works in the fall semester for students in a variety of academic disciplines. Applications will be evaluated on the basis of financial need and academic merit, and applicants may be interviewed as part of the selection process.
Deadline: February 8, 2010 to Overseas Programs
St. Louis Jewish Federation Partnership 2000 Tel Megiddo Fellowships: Fellowships are available to Washington University undergraduates and graduate students for summer participation in the Tel Aviv University's Megiddo archaeology expedition. The fellowships are open to undergraduates of all majors. Two fellowships of $2,500 each will be awarded. Fellowship applications are available in the Office of International and Area Studies. For more information about the fellowships, contact Professor Pamela Barmash pbarmash@wustl.edu.
Deadline: February 28
The Career Center Stipend: The Career Center has funding of up to $3,000 available for summer internships for WU undergraduate students, which could apply to summer internships abroad. Students must have secured an internship before applying for the stipend.
The Gephardt Social Change Grant: This grant provides $5,000 for a graduate/professional or undergraduate student(s) to design an international grassroots project that is creative, innovative, and can be implemented during the summer.
Deadline: February 20, 2009
The Stern Social Change Grant: This grant provides $5,000-$6,000 for Arts & Sciences undergraduates to pursue full-time summer work in the development and implementation of an innovative community project anywhere in the world. Two grants are available.
Deadline: February 20, 2009
External Scholarships, Fellowships and Grants
Ashley's Foundation: The foundation's mission is to create a permanent endowment and award scholarships to qualified students for the travel and study abroad, based on merit, personal qualities and/or financial need.
Deadlines: December 1st for Spring study, July 1st for Fall study
100 Projects for Peace: This grant is for summer projects either in the U.S. or abroad. It is left to the student to define what a "project for peace" might be.
Deadline: January 30, 2009
Bridging Scholarships for Study in Japan: Sponsored by The Association of Teachers of Japanese Bridging Project for American students participating in study-abroad programs in Japan beginning in Fall 2005. Undergraduate students majoring in any field of study are eligible to apply for these scholarships. Japanese language study is not a prerequisite. Recipients receive a stipend of $2,500 (for students on semester-long programs) or $4,000 (for students on academic year programs). Each scholarship recipient will be expected to send a brief report about his or her study in Japan to the ATJ office within 60 days of returning from abroad.
BUTEX Scholarships:
The British Transatlantic Exchange Association (BUTEX) offers $1,000 scholarships to undergraduate students studying abroad in the United
Kingdom at participating UK universities.
Deadline: August 1, 2009
Critical Language Scholarships for Intensive Summer Institutes:
The Program is part of the National Security Language Initiative (NSLI), a U.S. government interagency effort to expand dramatically the number of Americans studying and mastering critical need foreign languages. Scholarship recipients - U.S. citizen undergraduate, Master's and Ph.D. students and recent graduates - receive funding with all expenses paid to participate in beginning, intermediate and advanced level summer language programs at American Overseas Research Centers and affiliated partners. Please note that these programs are not for credit.
Deadline: November 14, 2008
Fund for International Service Learning: FISL offers a scholarship in the amount of $500 to students participating on international service learning programs.
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Competition: for undergraduate study abroad. Sponsored by the US Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE). Provides awards of up to $5,000 to undergraduates demonstrating financial needs. Call (888) 887-5939 ext. 25 or email gilman@iie.org with questions.
Benjamin A. Gilman Summer 2010 International Scholarship: To be eligible for one of the 125 scholarships that will be awarded to students studying abroad during the Summer of 2010 (up to $5,000 with an average award of $3,000) applicants must be majoring in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) field and meet the following criteria: recipient of a Federal Pell Grant at the time of application or during the term of his/her study abroad program; applying to or has been accepted into a study abroad program eligible for credit by the student’s accredited institution of higher education in the U.S.; studying abroad for at least 28 days in one country in any country except Cuba or a country on the U.S. Department of State’s current Travel Warning list. Applicants are not required to study a STEM subject while abroad to be eligible for the scholarship.
Deadlines: October 6, 2009 and April 6, 2010
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Scholarship: Highly qualified undergraduate students are invited to apply for
scholarships funding study, senior thesis research and/or internships in
Germany from four to ten months. Scholarships are available either as
part of an organized study abroad program or as part of an individual,
student-designed study abroad semester or year.
Deadline: January 31, 2009
JASSO Scholarships for International Students in Japan: Scholarships for study abroad in Japan provided by the Japanese Student Services Organization (JASSO).
KCL Study Abroad Excellence Scholarships: Merit-based scholarships for students studying for a semester or year at King's College London in the Humanities or Social Sciences.
MASA Grants and Scholarships to Israel: Scholarships for study abroad in Israel.
National Security Education Program (NSEP) David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholarships: Undergraduate scholarships for study abroad. Designed to provide students with the resources and encouragement they need to acquire skills and experience in countries and areas of the world critical to the future security of our nation.
On campus deadline: January 26, 2009
Research Internships in Science and Engineering (RISE): A scholarship for undergraduate science and engineering students interested in 6-12 week summer research internships at German universities and research institutions. Knowledge of German is NOT required, and the grants are designed to cover living expenses (maximum of 650 euros per month) but not international airfare.
Deadline: January 31, 2009
SIT Scholarships: Students studying abroad on programs through the School for International Training (SIT) are eligible for several different types of scholarships; need-based, merit-based, diversity, and location-based.
Study Abroad in Turkey Scholarships for Minority Students: The Turkish Coalition of America (TCA) is providing 50 scholarships of up to $2,000 for undergraduate students from populations underrepresented in study abroad who will be studying in Turkey.
Other Study Abroad Funding Web Sites
FastWeb: Site provides free customized scholarship search after user fills out profile
FinAid! (National Association of Financial Aid Administrators): The web site of the main U.S. professional association for financial aid provides scholarship searches and extensive information about financial aid. Links with FastWeb.
International Education Financial Aid (IEFA): Provides free searches for scholarships for study abroad.
Institute of International Education (IIE): This valuable funding resource allows you to search by country or subject to find the study abroad funding information that you need. Our comprehensive database of study abroad scholarships, fellowships, and grants can help make your dream of studying abroad a financial possibility and a profound reality.
International Education Finance Corporation (IEFC): A corporation specializing in loans for study abroad.
Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships: The Rotary Foundation provides the largest single U.S. scholarship program for study abroad. Academic-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships are available and application is possible only through local Rotary Clubs.
U.S. State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (formerly USIA): Official information about all Fulbright programs (for study, research, and teaching abroad), other official exchange programs, and information about U.S. government regulations concerning international educational exchange.
Univ. of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center Scholarships Database: An excellent, free online database of scholarships.