If you want to study abroad but lack the funds for tuition fees and living expenses, there are plenty of scholarship options available. Scholarships are forms of gift aid that don’t require repayment and can be awarded to all kinds of students–internationals, those from certain minority groups, as well as those with specific skills or interests.
Study abroad scholarships often cover program costs, airfare and housing. They may even allow you to earn academic credit while abroad.
1. Erasmus Mundus Scholarships: As the world’s largest scholarship network, Erasmus Mundus offers a selection of joint master degree programs that send you to multiple universities within one country for full scholarships. These typically last one or two years and cover tuition fees, accommodation expenses, health insurance premiums as well as a stipend.
2. Gilman International Scholarships: The Gilman program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, awards thousands of scholarships annually to undergraduates who are Pell Grant recipients and planning on studying abroad. These can range up to $5,000 for a semester or internship experience abroad.
3. Fund for Education Abroad Scholarships (FEA): This nonprofit organization offers scholarship opportunities to U.S. college students studying abroad, with an aim of increasing diversity and inclusion. They divide their scholarships into three categories: need-based, merit-based, and diversity.
4. Securing Your Parents’ Support: Sometimes it can be challenging to convince your family that studying abroad is beneficial for everyone. But if you demonstrate how this trip will enrich all of their lives, they are much more likely to come on board and help support you on this amazing journey!
5. Reaching Out to Authority Figures: The most effective way to locate study abroad scholarships is by reaching out to those who know the field well. This could include your academic advisor, campus club membership, or even professors!
They will take the time to talk with you and provide advice on applying for scholarships that interest you. Furthermore, they know which ones have the highest acceptance rates.
6. Coordinating Scholarship Applications: Once you’ve identified some scholarship opportunities that interest you, it’s time to organize the application process. This includes adhering to all relevant deadlines and submitting all required forms and paperwork on time.
Maintaining an organized filing system throughout the scholarship application and post-application will help you stay on top of your applications and give you peace of mind to submit them quickly.
7. Stay organized with deadlines and applications: It can be easy to become overwhelmed with all the scholarship and grant deadlines as you apply for more awards, but staying organized will make the process run more efficiently and ensure you maximize your awards!
It’s essential to apply early for scholarships for your study abroad experience. Many scholarships have strict application deadlines, so make sure your applications are submitted on time so that you maximize your chances of being selected!