How To Apply for a Scholarship

Applying is Easy! 

  1. Search for and apply to your perfect study or internship abroad program
  2. Discover available funding options
  3. Complete the Scholarship & Grants portion of your application. It's easy to complete and you can even submit it before you pay the program application fee! 

What Will You Need to Apply

Need-Based Grants

  • The Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) number from your most recent Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Student Aid Report (SAR).
  • If you want to be considered for the CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant: you must provide proof your Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. 
  • If applying for need-based grants only, you do not need to complete the essay section of the Scholarships Application.

Note: EFC (Expected Family Contribution) is being replaced by SAI (Student Aid Index) for the 2024-2025 FAFSA cycle. Due to unexpected FAFSA delays during the transition, CIEE will accept the 2023-2024 FAFSA (EFC) or the 2024-2025 FAFSA (SAI) for Fall 2024. For students who provide the 2023-2024 FAFSA (EFC), we will continue to guarantee GAIN Travel Grants to those with EFCs of 10,000 or less. For students who provide the 2024-2025 FAFSA (SAI), we will guarantee GAIN Travel Grants to Pell Eligible students. Applications must received by the April 1st deadline for the guarantee. Students with high need should still apply even if they do not meet the criteria noted above.

Merit Scholarships:

  • Complete the essay section of the Scholarships Application. In 300 words or less, explain to us how your CIEE program will impact your college experience and/or future career plans.
  • Complete the G.P.A. and transcript sections of the program application before you submit the Scholarships Application.
  • ​If applying for merit scholarships only, you do not need to provide any financial data.

Scholarships Application Deadlines & Notification Timeline

GrantProgram Termciee starts reviewing applicationsYou will be notifiedScholarships Application Deadline
Need-Based*Winter/SpringSummer priorWithin 2 weeks   October 15
Need-Based*Summer or FallWinter priorWithin 2 weeksApril 1
MeritWinter/Spring Early NovemberOctober 15
MeritSummer or Fall Mid-AprilApril 1


*Students who apply for Need-Based funding and have an EFC higher than 10,000 on their FAFSA Student Aid Report will be reviewed after the noted deadlines above.

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