Study Abroad Scholarships

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENTS WITH DEMONSTRATED FINANCIAL NEED, PROVEN ACADEMIC MERIT, AND FOR SPECIFIC CIEE PROGRAMS.

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Study abroad scholarships
morocco study abroad students exploring the town
College students studying abroad

WE AWARD OVER $13 MILLION IN SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS ANNUALLY

We get it. Funding your study abroad program can be an overwhelming process. At CIEE, our goal is to award study abroad scholarships and grants to college students across three categories: need-based, merit-based, and other areas of funding.  

By simply completing the Scholarships & Grants portion of your study abroad application, our team determines the best scholarship and grant opportunities for you. Receiving financial assistance for study abroad is as simple as that! 

IMPORTANT SCHOLARSHIP & GRANT DEADLINES

Summer & Fall ProgramsApril 1

Spring ProgramsOctober 15

Benjamin A Gilman International Scholarship deadline - October 3

Scholarships & Grants to Study Abroad

Need-based Scholarships

Our need-based scholarships are based on students' Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) from their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and enrolled institution. 

Name Qualifications DESCRIPTION Amount (up to)
Gilman Go Global Grant Qualified Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship applicants Deducted from semester program(s) fees** $2,500
GAIN Travel Grant EFC up to 10,000 guaranteed; other EFCs considered post deadline Travel costs to and from study abroad or internship program*** $1,500

Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Grant

Current attendee at an MSI. Award supports high-need students based on Student Aid Report (SAR) and availability of funds. Deducted from program fees $2,000 for semester

For need-based grants, you will not need to complete the essay section under the Scholarships & Grants portion of your application, but will need the following items to be considered for all awards to which you are eligible:

  • The Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) number from your most recent Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Student Aid Report (SAR)
  • For the CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant, you must provide proof your Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
     

Merit Scholarships

Merit scholarships are based on academic achievement. 

Name QUALIFICATIONS DESCRIPTION AMOUNT (Up TO) 
Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship Freshman, sophomore, or junior, student of color, 3.3 GPA Four-week, summer study abroad program including airfare 100% of program fee and travel costs
Frederick Douglass Scholars Qualified applicants not chosen for a full Fellowship are guaranteed a $1,500 program grant Deduction from program fees $1,500
McDermott Health Sciences, Nursing and Public Health Academic achievement and acceptance into a program focused on health sciences, nursing, or public health Deduction from program fees $2,500
Ping Scholarship for Academic Excellence Academic achievement Deduction from program fees $2,500
Ritzmann Tropical and Marine Ecology Scholarship Academic achievement and acceptance into a program focused on tropical or marine ecology Deduction from program fees $2,500
STEM Scholarship Any STEM major studying on any CIEE Summer Program Deduction from program fees $500
Stohl International Undergraduate Research Scholarship Academic achievement and acceptance into a qualified program Deduction from program fees $2,500
Wollitzer Merit Scholarship in Area or Comparative Studies Academic achievement and acceptance into a qualified program Deduction from program fees $2,500

To receive a merit scholarship, you must complete the Scholarships & Grants portion of your program application, along with an essay, to be considered for all awards to which you are eligible.

  • Under the essay section of the Scholarships Application, you need to explain to us (in 300 words or less) 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 
     

Other Scholarships

Other awards are based on program or alumni status.

NAME Qualifications DESCRIPTION AMOUNT (up to)
Go Abroad Again Grant CIEE alumni or sibling of alumni Deduction off of non‑consecutive in‑person terms 10% discount
Refer-a-Friend Rewards Open to all CIEE alum and participants from high school and college study abroad, teach abroad, and tefl certifcations. Earn a cash reward for each person you refer who travels on a CIEE program $200 per successful referral
Summer Session Discount Enroll in more than one four-week summer session Deduction off of additional sessions 20% discount


Scholarships & Grants by Term

Just one simple application and you’re on your way to aid options available for each term based on your program type, academic merit, and financial need. Whether you’re looking for quarter, semester, single block, or summer study abroad scholarships or grants, we’ve got you covered. 

To qualify, complete the Scholarships & Grants portion of your application today!

  • Semester Scholarships

    Scholarships for fall and spring semesters abroad

    Learn more
  • Summer Scholarships

    Scholarships for summer study abroad programs

    Learn more
  • Quarter Scholarships

    Scholarships for quarter school schedules

    Learn more
  • Single Block Scholarships

    Scholarships for one block

    Learn more

Frequently Asked Questions About Study Abroad Scholarships & Grants

HOW CAN I GET A SCHOLARSHIP TO STUDY ABROAD?

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If you’re wondering how to get a scholarship to study abroad, follow these three simple steps: 

  1. Search for your dream program and start an application 
  2. Review CIEE scholarships and grants 
  3. Complete the Scholarships & Grants portion of your application 

For more detailed instructions on how to apply to merit-based and need-based scholarships, check out How To Apply To Scholarships or read our blog post: How to Apply to a Study Abroad Scholarship at CIEE: 4 Steps.

WHICH SCHOLARSHIP IS BEST FOR STUDY ABROAD?

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While the best scholarship for studying abroad is up to you, CIEE offers a wide variety of scholarships for summer, semester, quarter, internship, and single block programs. CIEE scholarships and grants range in value from $200 for our Refer-a-Friend Reward to $2,500 for scholarships like our Gilman Go Global Grant and Ping Scholarship for Academic Excellence.  

Students could also receive full funding for their study abroad program if they apply to the Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship, which covers 100% of the program fee and travel costs.  

IS IT HARD TO GET SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDY ABROAD?

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No, it is not hard to get scholarships and grants for study abroad programs from CIEE. Getting scholarships for a CIEE study abroad or global internship program is a simple three step process:  

  1. Search for and apply to your dream program 
  2. Review CIEE scholarships and grants
  3. Complete the Scholarships & Grants portion of your application  

Select study abroad scholarships and grants are awarded to students based on financial need, proven academic merit, and for specific CIEE program areas. Some scholarships are awarded based on your FAFSA, program selection, or alumni information, while other scholarships and grants may require a short personal essay.  

WHAT MATERIALS WILL I NEED TO APPLY?

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Materials needed to apply for study abroad funding with CIEE vary across need-based grants and merit scholarships. 

For need-based grants, students will not need to complete the essay section under the Scholarships & Grants portion of their application, but will need the following items:

  • The Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) number from your most recent Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Student Aid Report (SAR)
  • For the CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant, you must provide proof your Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

For merit scholarships, students will not need to provide any financial data, but instead must:

  • Under the essay section of the Scholarships Application, you need to explain to us (in 300 words or less) 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

Get Started

Here's what you need to do to take the next steps:

Things to Remember

study abroad scholarship deadlines

Important - Check Deadlines & Qualifications

Watch out! Scholarship deadlines can come up faster than you think. All students applying for CIEE funding must complete the CIEE Study Abroad Scholarships & Grants task on their application by the published deadline. Applications completed after CIEE deadlines will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and funding may not be awarded.

study abroad scholarships and grants

Scholarships & Grants Caps

Scholarship and grant totals cannot exceed the caps established for each term. If you are selected for multiple awards, CIEE may need to reduce the size of your awards to stay within the maximum cap amounts listed below. 

Spring: $5,000
Fall: $5,000
Summer: $2,500
One Block: $2,500
Two Blocks (Quarter): $4,000
Three Blocks (Semester): $5,000

January: no CIEE funding

Terms & Conditions

**Need-Based Grants: Students must submit their CIEE Scholarships & Grants application by these dates and provide proof of an eligible application to the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. 
***Need-Based Grants: Students with an EFC of 10,000 or less must submit their CIEE Scholarships & Grants application by these dates to be guaranteed a GAIN Travel Grant.  Students with EFCs above 10,000 should still apply, but they will be considered after the Scholarships and Grants Deadline. The GAIN Travel Grant is valid toward outbound and return airfare on CIEE programs. This is a credit with our partner travel agency and has no cash value. If you are selected for a GAIN Travel Grant, CIEE will not reimburse you for out of pocket travel costs.  If your institution covers your flights, you are not eligible for a GAIN Travel Grant.