Other Ways to Fund Study Abroad

The scholarships and financial resources listed below are administered by outside entities. We recommend contacting each relevant organization for more information. Visit your study abroad and aid offices at your institution for more information about other sources of scholarships and grants. Local service groups, foundations, or corporations may also offer scholarships for study abroad.

Study Abroad Scholarships

Boren Awards for International Study

Boren Scholarships provide up to US$20,000 to U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America and the Middle East. Preference is given to geographic areas, languages and fields of study that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad.

Bridging Scholarships

Undergraduate students living in the United States who study abroad in Japan are eligible to apply. Awards are typically US$2,500 for semester programs and US$4,000 for academic-year programs. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and must be enrolled as undergraduates in a college or university in the United States before and during the time they are studying abroad.

College Women’s Association of Japan (CWAJ) Graduate Scholarship for the Visually Impaired to Study Abroad

The Scholarship for the Visually Impaired to Study Abroad (SVI-SA) supports visually impaired Japanese nationals or special permanent residents of Japan in graduate English-based study abroad. The SVI Program was established in 1978 and is the first scholarship designated for visually impaired students in Japan. Scholarships are based on candidates’ academic excellence, the quality and feasibility of their proposed study and their potential to contribute to society. The Scholarship does not have any restrictions on field of study or age.

Fund for Education Abroad

The Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) invests in promising students with financial need who wish to study abroad.

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

Scholarships are available to highly qualified undergraduate and graduate students for study abroad. For a complete list please see the DAAD’s resources for North America.

Gilman Scholarships

The Gilman Scholarship Program awards funding to U.S. undergraduate students receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study and/or intern abroad programs worldwide. Those who study a Critical Need Language while abroad are eligible to receive additional funding as part of the scholarship program, increasing their award amount by an additional US$3,000.

Japan Student Services Organization

Available for qualified US students ** accepted into a Japanese university** or graduate school for a semester or year. Find more information on the JASSO website, and contact your host coordinator once you have been placed and before you go abroad.

Japanese Government Scholarships for International Students

Each year, the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, Science and Technology (Monbukagakusho) offers scholarships to international students which provides hundreds with the opportunity to live and study in Japan. Please note that the Consulate General of Japan in New York can accept scholarship applications from US citizens who live, study, work or maintain a home address in Connecticut (Fairfield County only), Delaware, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT)

International students who are admitted to a Japanese university for short-term study (three months to a year) and are enrolled at their home institution in a regular course of study are eligible to apply for a MEXT scholarship. To apply, contact your host coordinator after you have been placed and before you go abroad.

National Security Education Program

Awards usually cover the full cost of study and travel abroad. Created by Congress in 1991, NSEP was intended to encourage American students to study less commonly taught languages and cultures, especially in nations considered to be of interest to national security. The program also aspires to increase the number of Americans qualified for government service and international diplomacy. After graduation, student recipients are required to work for an office or agency of the Federal Government involved in national security affairs or in higher education. Boren Scholarships provide up to US$20,000 to U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad. The program focuses on geographic areas, languages and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security. In exchange for funding, Boren Scholars commit to working in the federal government for at least one year after graduation.

Scott’s Cheap Flights Study Abroad Scholarship

Many of the Scott’s Cheap Flights team members had their first international travel experience when they studied abroad. This inevitably led many of them to keep exploring the world and traveling whenever they could get the chance. They’d like to give others this same opportunity.

ThinkSwiss Research Scholarship

This scholarship program supports highly motivated and qualified U.S. and Canadian undergraduate and graduate students to do research at a public Swiss university or research institute for two to three months. The scholarship is open to students of all fields.

Toshizo Watanabe Study Abroad Scholarship Program

The Toshizo Watanabe Endowed Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to undergraduates/graduate students for a semester or year-long study abroad program in either the United States or Japan. A generous endowment gift of $10 million from Mr. Toshizo (Tom) Watanabe to the U.S.-Japan Council makes it possible to award scholarships to students for whom study abroad would not be possible without financial support. For U.S. or Japanese students studying in either country for a semester or year-long program.

TU Graz Marshall Plan Scholarship

For U.S. masters or undergraduate students doing research at TU Graz in Austria.

Resources For Finding Study Abroad Scholarships

Crowdfunding Platforms For Raising Money

When choosing a crowdfunding platform to raise your funds, you should consider the process to receive funds. On some platforms, you are required to raise 100 percent of your goal if you want to collect any money, while others allow you to keep any funds you raise, though you may pay higher fees in those cases. In any case, below are a few examples of crowdfunding platforms that might be a good source for raising some extra money for additional expenses while abroad.

Visit the study abroad or financial aid office at your institution for more information about other sources of scholarships and grants for study abroad. Local service groups, foundations, or corporations may also offer scholarships.

Note: The mention of third-party vendors is solely suggestive, and not an endorsement. ISEP is not associated or in partnership with any of these vendors.

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