Additional Funding Opportunities
Beyond the Alliance's own scholarships, you may also want to apply for additional funding toward your Alliance study abroad program. Below are a sampling of scholarship and grant opportunities that previous students have found helpful.
Critical Languages Scholarship (CLS) Program
The U.S. Department of State's Critical Languages Scholarship (CLS) program is part of an effort to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering critical need foreign languages. The Alliance has been selected by the American Councils for International Education and the State Department to host all three China sites for the program. Students who are awarded the full scholarship will study intensive Chinese during the summer term in Beijing (Beijing Language and Culture University), Shanghai (Shanghai University of Finance and Economics), or Xi’an (Shaanxi Normal University). Classes will be offered at the intermediate or advanced level. During the 8-week program, students will enroll in 20 hours per week of intensive Chinese language, live with Chinese roommates (Shanghai and Xi’an) or host families (Beijing), have a peer language tutor, and participate in organized activities and excursions that support language acquisition and cultural understanding. All program fees, round-trip air travel, meals, activities and excursions are covered by the CLS scholarship.
Eighty full scholarships are available for China, and the Alliance will host all of the scholars. Students of diverse disciplines and majors are encouraged to apply. For deadlines and additional information, please visit http://www.clscholarship.org.
Freeman-ASIA Program
The Freeman-ASIA Program, generously supported by the Freeman Foundation and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE), aims to increase the number of U.S. undergraduates who study in East and South Asia by providing them with the information and financial assistance they will need. Award amounts vary from $3,000 for a summer program to $5,000 for a semester program to $7,000 for an academic year program. The application deadline for summer programs is in February; fall programs in April; and spring programs in October.
Website: http://www.iie.org/programs/freeman-asia / Email: freeman-asia@iie.org
Gilman Scholarship
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to undergraduates who wish to study abroad. Applicants must demonstrate financial need. Recipients are awarded up to $5,000 depending on the length of their program. An additional $3,000 is available for students who study critical languages, including Chinese, Hindi and Urdu.
The Summer and Fall 2012 award cycle opens for applications in early January 2012, and the deadline is March 1, 2012.
Website: www.iie.org/gilman / Email: gilman@iie.org
Boren Awards for International Study
The Boren Awards provide funding to American students who are pursuing international and language study in world regions critical to U.S. interests, such as Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Boren Scholarships for undergraduate students provide up to $20,000 for study abroad. In return for the scholarship, recipients commit to working for the federal government for at least one year after the completion of their education.
Website: http://www.borenawards.org/
Fund for Education Abroad (FEA)
The FEA is committed to increasing the opportunities for dedicated American students to participate in high-quality, rigorous education abroad programs by reducing financial restrictions through the provision of grants and scholarships. Applicants must be committed to supporting education abroad in their campus communities through work with the FEA and their campus’ education abroad staff upon return. FEA strongly encourages students to apply who represent a group that is traditionally underrepresented in education abroad, including those studying in a non-traditional destination and those demonstrating financial need. Applications for the 2012-2013 award period are due November 14, 2011.
Website: http://fundforeducationabroad.org/
The Global Studies Grant for Student Travel and Study Abroad
Designed to support foreign language training and academic studies abroad, this grant provides supplemental funds for American students who already are studying abroad under the auspices of an official study abroad program conducted by an accredited academic institution. GSF is particularly interested in funding the study of strategically significant countries and languages. Selection criteria include academic performance, program merit, and outreach potential. Grant recipients will be expected to acknowledge GSF's support, to report on their experiences, and to work with GSF to share those experiences upon return.
Website: http://www.globalstudiesfoundation.org/
Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants
Undergraduates in all fields of studies who attend an institution with an active Phi Kappa Phi chapter may apply for a study abroad grant. Each year, fifty $1,000 grants are awarded to support students seeking knowledge and experience in their academic fields by studying abroad.
Website: http://www.phikappaphi.org/ / Email: studyabroad@PhiKappaPhi.org
General Federation of Women's Clubs of Massachusetts
Residents of Massachusetts may apply for these study abroad scholarships to study for a semester, summer, or academic year abroad. Awards are up to $800.
Website: http://www.gfwcma.org / Email: jhoward@mountida.edu
Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships
The Rotary Foundation offers a variety of study abroad scholarships for undergraduates. Contact your local Rotary club for more information.
