Earn a Life-Changing Scholarship!
CIEE Global Navigator High School Summer Abroad
$7 Million Awarded Every Year
Make your study abroad dream a reality! Each year, we award Global Navigator scholarships and Academic Merit Awards to thousands of high school students across the U.S. Now is your chance to apply to the largest high school study abroad scholarship fund in the country and experience the summer of a lifetime.
Our programs take you to one of 40+ destinations to learn a new language or explore a topic you're passionate about! There are two types of CIEE high school study abroad scholarships available for our programs:
- Global Navigator Scholarship (GNS) covers between $500 to 100% of your tuition costs.
- Academic Merit Award covers $500 from your tuition costs.
Fill out the form and complete your scholarship application by Wednesday, January 21, 2026 to qualify.
Differentiators
Experience The World
Live and breathe a new culture. Join in on daily cultural adventures and weekend excursions. Our summer abroad programs take you to some of the most exciting places in the world to learn from and engage with local experts.
Make New Friends & Memories
Connect with other students from around the U.S. to share new experiences you'll never forget! Bigger adventures make for deeper bonds. Get ready to seriously expand your friend list and create a network that will last a lifetime, long after your program ends.
Earn a Scholarship
The Global Navigator scholarship program is the largest of its kind. Every year, CIEE awards over $7 million to over 3,000 students, selected based on academic merit and financial need.
FAQ
Global Navigator Scholarships (GNS): Any U.S. citizen or permanent resident who is currently a freshman, sophomore, or junior and residing in the United States may apply.
Students may submit a new application each year if they have declined Global Navigator Scholarships (based on financial need + academic merit) in previous years within the accept/decline window. Students who confirmed travel and cancelled later (or who failed to communicate their accept/decline decision within that window) are not eligible to apply.
Students who have traveled on a Global Navigator Scholarship (based on financial need + academic merit) in previous years are still eligible for an Academic Merit Award and an alumni discount.
Academic Merit Award: All high school students may apply. You can only travel on an Academic Merit Award once during your high school career. Returning Academic Merit Award alumni are welcome to travel without a scholarship/award in a future year.
1. Click “Apply” or “Apply Now” on any of our high school summer abroad programs.
2. Once you create an account or log in and start an application, the first question you will be asked is: “Do you want to apply for a scholarship?” Select the type of scholarship you’re interested in (Global Navigator Scholarship or Academic Merit Award).
3. The application will be slightly different when you apply for the Global Navigator Scholarship than when you apply for the Academic Merit Award. For the Global Navigator Scholarship, you will select your top three choices for programs (you should include at least two Language & Culture programs). For the Academic Merit Award, you will apply directly to your top choice program.
Note: When you apply for the Global Navigator Scholarship, we will do our best to award you a scholarship for one of your top choices. However, if program spots have been filled, you may be awarded a scholarship for another program.
All scholarship applications are due Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at 11:59 p.m EST. Global Navigator Scholarship announcements will go out in February.
If you are applying for an Academic Merit Award, your application will be reviewed and accepted on a rolling basis, typically within two weeks of submitting your application.
If you have any questions, please contact your school or email CIEE at hsabroad@ciee.org.
We award millions in scholarship funds every year. These scholarships are competitive based on academic performance. If you have a strong academic track record, we strongly encourage you to apply!
Historically, more scholarship money is awarded to students in our Language & Culture programs. If you’re interested in High School Summer Abroad Language & Culture programs, you may have a really good chance.
Top Summer Abroad Destinations
France
Discover the elegance and charm of French life.
Spain
Ramp up your Spanish language skills while visiting castles and relaxing on island beaches.
Italy
Head out on the town and speak Italian in shops and markets throughout Italy.
Germany
Get ready for one of Europe’s favorite study abroad destinations.
Japan
Dive into Japanese language and pop culture.
South Korea
There's no better place to study K-pop or diplomacy than South Korea.
Costa Rica
Welcome to Costa Rica, to its rugged mountains, dramatic volcanoes, and lush forests.
Singapore
Welcome to Singapore, a small island of many contrasts and diversity.
Australia
Explore Australia’s beautiful beaches, diverse heritage, and way of life.