46 Study Abroad Scholarships & Grants to Apply for in 2021

Did you see the cost of your dream study abroad program and instantly cringe?

You're not alone -- studying abroad can be expensive but there are some ways around those hefty price tags. You could of course fundraise, take on a side job, and spend your summer saving up. But did you know there are also scholarships and grants offered specifically for students who want to study overseas?

That's right, scholarships for study abroad are widely available from a variety of sources. You can even find these opportunities right here on Go Overseas -- we run several scholarships throughout the year.

Surprisingly, thousands of dollars worth of scholarships go unclaimed every year simply because no one applies for them. Some of this money could be YOURS.

The trick is knowing not only where to look for study abroad scholarships, but also how to apply for them. Even though they may not fully cover your study abroad costs, they'll help decrease your expenses and make your study abroad experience more affordable. Read on for tips on how to apply for study abroad grants and scholarships, as well as a helpful list of scholarships and grants you should apply for ASAP if you want to study abroad.

Also Read: How to Study Abroad for Free or Cheap

Before you dive in, a few quick notes.

First, this scholarship list is updated annually, and we do our very best to keep the deadlines accurate. We most recently updated the list in November 2020, so keep in mind that this list includes programs that will take place in 2021, and also those beginning in 2022 that have an early application deadline. We recommend always checking the scholarship website to confirm the official deadline and application process.

Second, please keep in mind that this year is exceptional for many reasons. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced programs to make difficult decisions about suspending their offerings or making adjustments to allow for socially distanced activities and proper health protocols. While many scholarships are still available, you may find that your dream program is not running next semester. If that’s the case, be sure to check back in for news and potentially even consider virtual study abroad programs.

Next, we've set up the list of links above to help you "jump" to the part of the page you care about most. From each section, you can also "jump" back up to the table of contents. If you're feeling ambitious, you can also scroll to read the whole thing!

Third, if you know of a scholarship we should add to our list, please contact us and we will review and add applications we think the whole Go Overseas community should know about.

Without further ado: let's get started helping you win some study abroad scholarships!

We've compiled as many study abroad scholarships and grants as we could find right here, but it's not an exhaustive one. In addition to looking here, here are some tips for finding more study abroad scholarships and grants:

1. Apply for federal financial aid -- many students don't realize that these government grants and loans may be used towards study abroad. You can fill out the application, known as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA, online at the US Department of Education FAFSA website
2. Once you pick a study abroad program, Google to find financial aid options available through that specific program.
3. Check with the government of the country you want to study abroad in -- some give financial support to international students.
4. Visit your financial aid office, study abroad office, and foreign language departments to ask about potential funding sources.
5. Ask your study abroad advisor if there are any scholarships specific to your major.
6. Check local organizations like Sons of Italy chapters, German clubs, Hispanic heritage groups, Chinese-American associations, etc. to see if they offer scholarships.
7. Get busy applying for any scholarships, grants, or funding options you find!

If you follow these steps -- plus review our own list of scholarships below -- we're confident you can find at least a few funding opportunities to make study abroad more affordable.

The internet is an excellent resource for locating a large number of study abroad scholarships. Many of these scholarships will allow you to apply directly online; potentially, you can apply for dozens of scholarships in a few short hours. However, their one downfall is that a larger application pool will reduce your chances to be awarded aid, but remember, you have to be in it to win it! Here are some popular places to start:

• Scholarship Portal: This website provides a comprehensive free search database system for scholarships available throughout Europe; you can search by region, country and discipline
• FastWeb: This website will not only help you find study abroad scholarships, but scholarships of all kinds that may help you get through the rest of college. The service is free but offers a number of extra benefits if you decide to register
• IIE Passport: This database is a comprehensive search engine for all study abroad programs registered with IIE passport
• Scholarships for Study in Australia: This database provided by the Australian government gives students easy access to the available funding for international students studying there

These sites can be a great place to start when you're looking for scholarship opportunities across different study abroad destinations, subjects, and programs.

As you'll see, there are lots of scholarships that are tied to the specific location or region where you're studying abroad. There is an equal number that can be used to fund your study abroad experience anywhere in the world.

Offered by the Institute of International Education with support from the U.S. Department of State, Benjamin A. Gilman scholarships are offered to help students on Federal Pell Grants study abroad. Each scholarship is up to $5,000 and, generally, one in four students is selected as a recipient during each application cycle.This scholarship program warns applicants that if, at the time the program starts, the destination country is at a level 3 or 4 warning for COVID-19 according to the US Department of State's Travel Advisory System, another destination should be chosen.

• Level: Undergraduate Students
• Award: Up to $5,000 (and a supplement of up to $3,000)
• Requirements: Students must be current recipients of a Federal Pell Grant
• Deadline: March and October 2021
• Application: Click Here

If learning a foreign language is on your list, the Critical Language Scholarships (CLS) program may be perfect for you. Each year, the U.S. government lists specific languages they are encouraging students to learn while studying abroad; the scholarships are applied toward programs which allow you to focus on these (for example, the current list includes Bangla, Hindi, Russian, Korean, Swahili, and others). Applications for Summer 2021 are closed, but you can apply for 2022.

• Level: All Students
• Award: Varies
• Requirements: Must be a U.S. citizen enrolled at a higher institution
• Deadline: November
• Application: Click Here

If you attend a campus where a Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society has an active chapter, you're eligible for this scholarship -- even if you're not a Phi Kappa Phi member. Every year, 75 grants are awarded to applicants. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi has placed its study abroad program on an indefinite hiatus. They note that they will continue to monitor public health and travel advisory guidance, and they encourage students to check their website regularly.

• Level: Undergraduate Students
• Award: $1,000
• Requirements: Must have an active Phi Kappa Phi chapter on your campus
• Deadline: Application portal usually opens in December
• Application: Click Here

The Rotary Foundation and regional clubs offer a variety of scholarship opportunities for students to study -- and to study abroad. These include scholarships for high school, undergraduate, and graduate students, and the amounts and eligibility vary by club. You do not necessarily need to be a Rotary member to qualify. Scholarships totaling 7.5 million dollars are given out each year, on average. There’s a special scholarship for those who want to study peace and conflict resolution at one of their six partner universities. Applications are open in February.

• Level: All Students (including High School!)
• Award: Varies
• Requirements: Varies
• Deadline: Varies
• Application: Click Here

The Boren Awards are scholarships and fellowships of $8,000 to $25,000 offered to undergraduate and graduate students learning critical skills or languages in countries of interest to the U.S. These include Chinese, Swahili, Portuguese, and Arabic language programs, summer STEM courses, and subjects like International Affairs and Food Sciences.

• Level: Undergraduate & Graduate Students
• Award: $8,000-$20,000
• Requirements: Must be enrolled in an institute of higher education.
• Deadline: February (scholarships) / January (fellowships) of 2021
• Application: Click Here

Part of Tortuga Backpack's mission "is to help people take amazing trips" -- which is why they dedicate part of their proceeds towards a study abroad scholarship. Oh, and you also get a Tortuga travel backpack if you win! Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship is suspended until further notice. So, keep an eye out for new information on their website.

• Level: Undergraduate Students
• Award: $1,000
• Requirements: Must be Enrolled at a U.S. Institution
• Deadline: April and November (though it’s suspended at the moment)
• Application: Click Here

Ashley Soulé Conroy’s family wants to reward your desire to explore and experiment with different people and places and ways of living, just as the founder’s daughter has. That’s why they set up a scholarship for undergraduates in need: to change lives. Even though they have canceled all Spring 2021 scholarships, the Fall 2021 term will remain on hold while circumstances continue to be evaluated. Be sure to check their page for updates.

• Level: Undergraduate Students
• Award: $4,000
• Requirements: Must be a U.S. citizen enrolled as an undergraduate in a college or university
• Deadline: June and October
• Application: Click Here

To have a chance to win a Good Colleges Study Abroad Scholarship you just have to write an essay on the theme they give every year. 2020’s competition theme was “Why That City?” and applicants were asked to wonder how immersing themselves in a foreign culture would be a life changing experience. Are you feeling inspired? This scholarship is open to current and future college students.

• Level: Undergraduate Students
• Award: $2,000
• Requirements: Must be a current or future college student
• Deadline: November
• Application: Click Here

Below, you'll find a list of scholarships that are available only to about-to-be graduates and graduate students. Be sure to check deadlines and scholarship windows.

The AAUW supports women pursuing a variety of graduate academic opportunities. Grants are typically in the range of $2,000-$30,000 to pursue topics including community development, international projects, and career development -- and the funds can be used for study programs as deemed appropriate as part of the AAUW application.

• Level: Graduate Students/Professionals
• Award: $2,000 - $30,000
• Requirements: Women only
• Deadlines: November
• Application: Click Here

If you want to pursue a master's degree in science, mathematics, or engineering, consider the Churchill Foundation Scholarship. The Scholarship covers academic expenses for nine, ten, or twelve months, depending on the academic program. There’s also the Kanders Churchill Scholarship in Science Policy “to address the growing divide between science and science policy”.

• Level: Graduate Students
• Award: $60,000
• Requirements: Must be an Undergraduate Senior at a Participating University
• Deadline: October and November, 2021
• Application: Click Here

The BEST Scholarship provides multiple awards to students from the UK to begin postgraduate study in North America. Several different types of scholarships are awarded based on the area of study the student wants to focus on.

• Level: Graduate Students
• Award: £5,000-£15,000 on average
• Requirements: Must be a UK student with a UK passport holder who has applied but not started graduate school in the U.S. or Canada
• Deadline: March
• Application: Click Here

One $3,000 scholarship is awarded, plus two $1,000 scholarships to one student from each geographic area: Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, India, and Asia (omitting India). Once awarded, the scholarship is disbursed to the university or college of the application, directly. Besides this, the company has a special Women in STEM Scholarship annually assigned to female international/DACA students in a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics program.

• Level: Graduate Students
• Award: $1,000 - $3,000
• Requirements: Must be an international student accepted or currently studying at a full-time program at a U.S. or Canadian school
• Deadline: December
• Application: Click Here

If you’re a paying member of Kappa Gamma Pi, you’re in luck. Awarded to an exceptional KGP applicant every year as of 1985, the application requires several essays illustrating the applicant's values, experiences, financial need, and involvement in the community.

• Level: Graduate Students
• Award: $5,000
• Requirements: Be a current KGP paying member and accepted into graduate program
• Deadline: April
• Application: Click Here

Some study abroad scholarships require you to participate in a specific study abroad program. Here are some of the most popular ones we've found.

AIFS, a study abroad provider, gives away scholarships to a variety of different universities and student types. Awards range from $200 to $1,000 depending on the program and eligibility requirements. Regarding the restrictions brought by the pandemic, AIFS is continually evaluating its program operations with a flexible plan in place.

• Level: Undergraduate Students
• Award: $200-$1,000
• Requirements: Varies
• Deadlines: There are multiple. Summer: March 1, 2021; Fall Semester/Academic Year/Fall Quarter 2022: April 15, 2021; Spring Semester/January Term/Spring Quarter 2022: October 1, 2021
• Application: Click Here

CAPA, another study abroad provider, offers a huge number of funding opportunities for students enrolled in their programs. There are need-based scholarships, diversity grants, and grants to study abroad again -- and even a grant for a blogger/vlogger!

• Level: Undergraduate Students
• Award: Varies
• Requirements: Must be a CAPA program participant
• Deadline: Varies
• Application: Click Here

Study abroad provider CEA offers scholarship opportunities available to those enrolled in CEA study abroad programs. Scholarships are available on a merit, need, and diversity basis.
For 2021, they will award scholarships based in two categories: merit - recognizing and rewarding academic achievement - and diversity - for students from diverse backgrounds and for students with disabilities. And there’s also a $1,000 flight voucher for those who apply with a code by January 7, 2021.

• Level: Undergraduate Students
• Award: up to $3,000 for Global Education, and up to $2,000 for Diversity Scholarship
• Requirements: Must be a CEA program participant
• Deadline: December (for Spring programs), April (for Summer programs), and May (for Fall programs)
• Application: Click Here

CIEE is a study abroad provider who offers a variety of different scholarship opportunities for students throughout the year. Scholarships include merit and need-based opportunities, diversity scholarships, and scholarships for summer study abroad programs.

• Level: Undergraduate
• Award: From $1,000 up to $4,000
• Requirements: Must be a CIEE program participant
• Deadline: Varies
• Application: Click Here

Study abroad provider IFSA-Butler offers a variety of study abroad scholarships, including merit-based and diversity scholarships. They also offer program-specific scholarships depending on which of their programs you enroll in.

Because of COVID-19, the implementation of each program is being constantly analyzed country by country. For now, all Winter 2021 programs (in Barcelona, Rome, Mexico, and Costa Rica), and Spring programs have been suspended, except for the University of Edinburgh partnership and the University of St. Andrews partnership. However, the majority of Summer 2021 programs are running as scheduled.

• Level: Undergraduate Students
• Award: Up to $10,000
• Requirements: Varies
• Deadline: April and November
• Application: Click Here

IES Abroad is another major study abroad provider, and they offer a wide range of scholarships to help make study abroad more affordable. In particular, they offer need-based grants, diversity scholarships, and a variety of other grants and scholarships with different requirements and prize levels. The deadlines for each opportunity vary too, so be sure to check the IES website linked below to find out which you might qualify for and when the application materials are due.

Knowing that COVID-19 has had a financial impact on many people, IES Abroad asks applicants to provide accurate information about their need for aid so that they can consider everyone's circumstances.

• Level: Undergraduate
• Award: $500 - $5000
• Requirements: Must be enrolled to study abroad through an IES program
• Deadline: March, April, May, and November
• Application: Click Here

Supplement your academic career with an internship abroad! The Intern Group offers merit-based scholarships for students and recent graduates every term. These grants are used towards The Intern Group's programs in specific countries and may change from year to year. Previous destinations have included Dublin, Shanghai, Madrid, and Australia.

• Level: All Students
• Award: $2,000
• Requirements: Must be a current student or recent graduate
• Deadline: February
• Application: Click Here

If you plan on volunteering with International Studies Abroad (ISA), you're in luck; they have over $600,000 in grants and scholarships available to current students who are accepted into one of their programs. Exact requirements vary between the scholarships and several are exclusively open to students on financial aid.

As all programs for the Fall 2020 semester were canceled, but ISA is in constant communication with host universities and, so far, Spring 2021 programs are continuing as scheduled. Stay updated by checking their website regularly.

• Award: $200 - $5,000
• Requirements: Must be a current undergraduate student
• Deadline: Usually February, April and October
• Application: Click Here

Sol Education Abroad offers scholarships worth $100-$750 for their various programs throughout the year. Typically, they offer up to 50 scholarships over the course of the year, so make sure you inquire about any other scholarship opportunities. While all of their fall 2020 programming was cancelled, they have not made any decisions for the 2021 year.

• Level: Undergraduates with at least 2.5 GPA
• Award: From $100 up to $750
• Requirements: Must be enrolled in a Sol Education program through a non-partner university
• Deadline: March, July, and November
• Application: Click Here

Study abroad provider USAC awards more than $2 million in annual scholarships to study abroad! Their scholarships are great opportunities for first-generation college students, students with high academic merit, and those who've had family study abroad through USAC in the past. (They have loads of other scholarship opportunities too!)

• Level: Undergraduate Students
• Award: Varies
• Requirements: Must be a USAC program participant
• Deadline: March and October, 2021
• Application: Click Here

This Danish platform wants to help students change the world. They are focused on graduates who enroll in a master’s program that will help alleviate the impact of climate change and make the world a more sustainable place. Are you the next world savior?

• Level: Graduate Students
• Award: $5,000
• Requirements: Must have applied (or will apply) to a master's program that can help you make the world more sustainable
• Deadline: April 2021
• Application: Click Here

Some study abroad scholarships require you to be a member of a particular group or organization. If you are not member, it's still worth reviewing these lists for inspiration-- sometimes you'll find a group similar to one you're part of that also offers a scholarship!

Named in honor of a fellow Girl Scout, the Corinne Jeannine Schillings Scholarship to Study Abroad is available to Girl Scouts who have received their Silver or Gold Award. The $1,000 scholarship is intended to cover study abroad costs.

• Level: Undergraduate Students
• Award: $1,000
• Requirements: Must be a Current or Former Girl Scout
• Deadline: December and May
• Application: Click Here

Members of the Golden Key Honor Society are eligible for special scholarships; if you're a member of this or other honor societies, be sure to check them out! Through different scholarship offerings, Golden Key has given away thousands of dollars in study abroad scholarships since 2011.

• Level: Undergraduate
• Award: From $2,500 to $5,000
• Requirements: Must be a Golden Key Member
• Deadline: December 23, 2020
• Application: Click Here

We've also included this section of general travel scholarships that you can use to go on a study abroad program. These are great opportunities -- but remember that they often draw many more applicants since they target a broader audience of travel-loving people.

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is a highly competitive grant opportunity to receive research grants, fellowships, and other high-value funding opportunities for recent graduates. It gives you the opportunity to study abroad in the field of Arts, Business, Journalism, and STEM and Public Health in countries like Taiwan, Mexico, Australia, and a lot of them in Europe. There’s also incentives for grantees to go overseas teaching English language, a fellowship mentored by National Geographic Editors, and another established to promote the expansion of research in public health and clinical research in resource-limited settings.

Fulbright has had to suspend many of its programs because of the COVID-19 pandemic. At this time their program dates for the 2022/2023 cycle remain unchanged. Dates will be announced in the spring of 2021.

• Level: Undergraduate Seniors & Recent Graduates
• Award: Varies
• Requirements: U.S. Resident
• Deadline: October Each Year
• Application: Click Here

Hostelling International USA offered 115 $2,000 scholarships in 2019 -- all of them for use on travel programs that focus on education or service (this includes study abroad!). This is one of the biggest scholarship opportunities on the list, and open to students (and non-students).

• Level: All Students
• Award: $2,000
• Requirements: Must be 18-30, a U.S. Citizen, and current Pell Grant recipient
• Deadline: Applications open in Fall 2021
• Application: Click Here

Scott's Cheap Flights, which is super helpful as you start looking for flights to study abroad, also offers a scholarship to help make those study abroad dreams possible. Twice a year, they award $1,000 to help an intrepid traveling student cover study abroad costs.

• Level: All Students
• Award: $1,000
• Requirements: Must be a U.S. Citizen enrolled at a higher education institute
• Deadline: March and October
• Application: Click Here

Some scholarships are tied to a specific destination, region, or country. We have collected many of these below, organized by region. Scroll down to explore each region briefly and find relevant links to the scholarship opportunities you are interested in.

If you crave an unconventional, less-trodden study abroad path, Africa is a continent of incredible diversity and opportunity. Explore Northern Africa with its strong European and Middle Eastern influences, Western Africa and its booming cities, or Eastern and Southern Africa with their wildlife migration and safari experiences. All are possible if you study abroad in Africa!

• The Heather Jow Leibowitz Memorial Scholarship: Named in honor of a School of Field Studies (SFS) alumni, this scholarship is offered for students who choose to study abroad with SFS in East Africa. Click here to learn more.
• The American Research Center in Egypt Fellowships: For students in specific relevant majors, ARCE offers a variety of fellowships and grants ranging from $600 to $4,000. Click here to learn more.

If your study abroad dreams include spending a semester (or longer) in an Asian country, these scholarships may help those dreams come true.

• Bridging Scholarships for Study in Japan: $2,500-$4,000 for study abroad in Japan, these can also be used for travel and living expenses. The give out 100 scholarships, on average. Click here to learn more.
• Freeman Asia: $3,000-$7,000 scholarships to spend up to eight weeks in one of 15 Asian countries. Perfect if you've never explored specific countries in Asia. Click here to learn more.
• Henry Luce Foundation, Luce Scholars Program: This fellowship encourages cross-cultural understanding between 15-18 graduate American students and the destinations that they visit in Asia. Click here to learn more.
• IDB King Abdullah University International Scholarships: KAUST Fellowship supports individuals during their graduate studies at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, in Saudi Arabia. That includes full tuition support, a monthly living allowance and more. Click here to learn more.

Europe is one of the world's most popular regions to study abroad. From learning art history in Italy to public health in Norway and everything in between, studying abroad in Europe offers a wide variety of opportunities -- and scholarships to help pay for it!

• German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Scholarships: Each year, DAAD offers a variety of scholarships to encourage students to study abroad for a semester or postgraduate degree. Click here to learn more.
• Eastern Europe Study Abroad (EESA) Scholarships Up to $7,000 for semester and academic year-long programs for study in Eastern European countries. Click here to learn more.
• The Koscuiszko Foundation Scholarships: If you are of Polish descent or want to study abroad in Poland, the Koscuiszko Foundation offers a variety of scholarship opportunities. Click here to learn more.
• Sons of Norway Scholarship: Similarly, if you are of Norwegian descent, there are a variety of scholarship opportunities offered through the Sons of Norway. Click here to learn more.
• Walter Jensen Scholarship: $2,000 scholarship to help a deserving student study abroad in France and study the French language. Click here to learn more.
• American School of Classical Studies in Athens: If you want to deepen your studies on ancient Greece you can do it with the help of the Malcolm H. Wiener Laboratory for Archaeological Science Grant. Click here to learn more.

Latin America blends European charm and American cultural heritage -- whether you choose to study in Central or South America, you're sure to find a destination that calls to you.

• Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities (HACU) study Abroad Scholarshisp HACU help students at participating universities study abroad in programs throughout Latin America and the rest of the world. Click here to learn more.
• Spanish Studies Abroad Scholarship: The Center for Cross-Cultural Studies offers merit- and diversity-based $500-$1,500 scholarships for students enrolled in their Spanish programs in Argentina, Cuba, Puerto Rico and (outside Latin America) Spain. Click here to learn more.

Southeast Asia and Oceania countries are popular for gap years and backpack travelers; did you also know they're great for study abroad? From Australia and New Zealand to smaller island and peninsula countries, studying abroad in Oceania offers unforgettable cultural immersion and world-class education.

• East-West Center Scholarships & Fellowships: Almost any student interested in studying abroad in the Oceania region can find a fellowship or scholarship opportunity through East-West Center. Click here to learn more.
• American-Australian Education Fund: Open to U.S. students who are interested in or are currently studying abroad in Australia. The application period is from September 1st to October 15th each year. Click here to learn more.
• Education New Zealand Scholarships: Education New Zealand wants to help students to focus on their education rather than financial issues. Click here to learn more.

This is just a snapshot of the ample scholarship opportunities available to aid in funding your study abroad experience. While cost is an influential factor, it should not be a deciding factor (especially if the decision is leaning towards a 'no!'). We bid you good luck in your search for scholarships!

This article was originally published in December 2010, and most recently updated in November 2020.