Study Abroad Scholarship Opportunities

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University of Hawaiʻi

• University of Hawaiʻi Common Scholarship Application
• UH Hilo Financial Aid Scholarship Opportunities

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Scholarships

Audrey S. Furukawa Study Abroad Scholarship

The Audrey S. Furukawa Study Abroad Scholarship will enable eligible students to begin their global education journey and open infinite doors of opportunity and promote world peace. As a life long resident of Hilo, Audrey S. Furukawa values the opportunity to give back. With the support from her family and friends, Mrs. Furukawa has established a scholarship which will enable students to study abroad & explore the endless horizon.

Eligibility:

• Applicant must be enrolled as a full-time classified student at the UH Hilo
• Applicant must have completed a minimum of 24 credits at UH Hilo at the time of departure
• Applicant must have a minimum of 3.2 cumulative grade point average (GPA) at UH Hilo
• Applicant will study abroad for at least one semester
• Applicant must not have studied, traveled or lived abroad for more than one month
• Selected student must return to UH Hilo upon completion of the study abroad program

Factors to be considered in review of application:

• Academic achievement including honors and awards
• Personal statement
• Service Project Proposal
• Letters of Recommendation and Reference Form
• Preference will be given to Hawaiʻi high school graduates
• Finalists will be interviewed by the scholarship committee members
• UH Hilo Transcripts

Opens: early December
Closes: early March
How to apply: UH System Common Scholarship Application

Gertrude E. McVickar Endowed Excellence Scholarship

The UH Hilo Gertrude E. McVickar Endowed Excellence Scholarship is in memory of a woman who believed that an opportunity to be transplanted into a unfamiliar country and culture would lead to a more tolerant and peaceful world. She also believed that all students should be encouraged to participate in international exchange programs.

Eligibility:

• Applicant must be enrolled as a full-time classified undergraduate student with a declared major at the UH Hilo
• Applicant must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above
• Duration of exchange must be at least one semester to a pre-approved program by the Director of Global Education
• Applicant must return to UH Hilo upon completion of the study abroad program
• Applicant must have completed 24 UH Hilo credits

Selection Criteria:

• Hawaiʻi High School Graduate from Hawaiʻi Island, Moloka'i, Lana'i or Niʻihau
• Student with high financial aid
• Student studying for an academic year
• Student with no prior study abroad and/or international travel experience of more than six weeks
• Student involved in diverse cultural activities
• A well written personal statement
• Excellent recommendation letters
• Outstanding Service Learning Project

Opens: early December
Closes: early March
How to apply: UH System Common Scholarship Application

John and Anja McVickar Endowed Excellence Scholarship for Study Abroad

The purpose of this Fund is to provide scholarships for students attending the University of Hawai'i at Hilo ("UH Hilo") to study abroad internationally. Funds may be used for travel, meals, housing, costs of attendance (tuition, books, fees, etc.) while abroad.

Eligibility:

• Applicant must be enrolled as a full-time classified undergraduate student with a declared major at the UH Hilo
• Applicant must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above
• Duration of exchange must be at least one semester to a pre-approved program by the Director of Global Education
• Applicant must return to UH Hilo upon completion of the study abroad program
• Applicant must have completed 24 UH Hilo credits

Selection Criteria:

• Hawaiʻi High School Graduate from Hawaiʻi Island, Moloka'i, Lana'i or Niʻihau
• Student with high financial aid
• Student studying for an academic year
• Student with no prior study abroad and/or international travel experience of more than six weeks
• Student involved in diverse cultural activities
• A well written personal statement
• Excellent recommendation letters
• Outstanding Service Learning Project

Opens: early December
Closes: early March
How to apply: UH System Common Scholarship Application

Semester at Sea Scholarship

The UH Hilo Semester at Sea Scholarship Program is a cooperative partnership between the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo and the Institute for Shipboard Education (ISE). It is designed to assist first-generation, financially limited, college students with diverse cultural background to participate in the Semester At Sea program. Overall, this partnership aims to provide a unique learning experience intended to broaden a student's global perspective and create leaders for the future. This scholarships helps student cover 60% of program fees.

Eligibility:

• Applicant must be enrolled as a full-time classified student at the UH Hilo
• Acceptance to Semester at Sea Program
• 3.0 cumulative UH Hilo GPA
• 24 UH Hilo credits completed
• Receives Federal Financial Aid
• Scholarship recipient must return to UH Hilo upon completion of the study abroad program
• Duration of exchange must be one semester

Selection Criteria:

• Student with high financial need
• Student with a diverse cultural background
• Preference to First-Generation college student (student whose parent(s) have not earned a Bachelor's Degree or higher)
• A well written personal statement
• Excellent recommendation letter(s)

Opens: early December
Closes: early March
How to apply: UH System Common Scholarship Application

External Organizations

Mildred Towle Scholarship

This scholarship is intended for students participating in a study abroad program while enrolled at a U.S. institution. Students enrolling directly at a foreign based institution are not eligible.

Eligibility:

• 3.0 GPA
• Study in a foreign country as a junior, senior or graduate student during the regular academic year (summer semester not included).
• Applicant must prove financial need

Opens: December
Closes: Early February
How to apply: Hawaiʻi Community Foundation

Boren Scholarship

Boren Scholarships, an initiative of the National Security Education Program, provide unique funding opportunities for U.S. undergraduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests, and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.

Boren Scholars represent a vital pool of highly motivated individuals who wish to work in the federal national security arena. In exchange for funding, Boren Scholars commit to working in the federal government for at least one year after graduation.

Eligibility:

• A U.S. citizen at the time of application
• A high school graduate, or have earned a GED
• Matriculated in an undergraduate degree program located within the United States accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Boren Scholars must remain matriculated in the in their undergraduate programs for the duration of the scholarship and may not graduate until the scholarship in complete
• Applying to a study abroad program that meets home institution standards in a country outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. Boren Scholarships are not for study in the United States.

Opens: Late August
Closes: Early February
How to apply: Boren Awards

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program offers grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies or credit-bearing, career-oriented internships abroad. Such international exchange is intended to better prepare U.S. students to assume significant roles in an increasingly global economy and interdependent world.

Eligibility:

• The applicant must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant or provide proof that he/she will be receiving a Pell Grant at the time of application or during the term of his/her study abroad program or internship
• The applicant is applying to or has been accepted into a study abroad program or internship eligible for credit by the student's accredited institution of higher education in the U.S.
• The applicant is studying or interning abroad for at least four weeks (28 days) in one country - or two weeks (14 days) for current community college students - and no more than one academic year.
• The applicant is studying or interning in any country except Cuba or a country on the U.S. Department of State's current Travel Warning List . Students applying to programs in Mexico may only apply for scholarships to support study in Mexican states where no advisory is in effect according to the U.S. Department of State's current Travel Warning List.

Spring, Summer Applications: August - October
Fall Applications: January - March
How to apply: Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

U.S. Fulbright Student Scholarship

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides grants for individually designed study/research projects or for English Teaching Assistant Programs. A candidate will submit a Statement of Grant Purpose defining activities to take place during one academic year in a participating country outside the U.S.

Eligibility:

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens at the time of application. Permanent residents are not eligible. Please review the ineligibility section on their website in relation to the eligibility of dual citizens
• Applicants must have a conferred bachelor's degree or the equivalent before the start of the grant
• Applicants must be in good health. Grantees will be required to submit a satisfactory Medical Certificate from a physician
• Applicants must have sufficient proficiency in the written and spoken language of the host country sufficient to communicate with the people and to carry out the proposed study/research. This is especially important for projects in the social sciences and the humanities.
• In the creative and performing arts, four years of professional training and/or experience meets the basic eligibility requirement
• Applicants may hold a J.D. at the time of application

Selection Criteria is made on the basis of:

• Quality and feasibility of the proposal as described in the Statement of Grant Purpose.
• Academic or professional record
• Personal qualifications
• Language preparation
• Preference factors as established by the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board (FFSB) and the Fulbright Commissions/Foundations
• Extent to which the candidate and the project will help to advance the Fulbright aim of promoting mutual understanding among nations through engagement in the host community among other activities
• Ability of the supervising agencies abroad to arrange/confirm supervision and facilitate research clearance, if necessary.
• Requirements of the program in individual countries. In some countries, advanced-degree candidates are preferred, and in some countries, certain fields of study are not recommended. Check with IIE before filing an application if you do not meet country specifications
• Desired of achieving wide institutional and geographic distribution

Opens: Late March
Closes: October
How to apply: Fulbright U.S. Student Program

Critical Language Scholarship Program

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is a fully-funded overseas language and cultural immersion program for American undergraduate and graduate students. With the goal of broadening the base of Americans studying and mastering critical languages and building relationships between the people of the United States and other countries, CLS provides study opportunities to a diverse range of students from across the United States at every level of language learning.

For more information regarding eligibility, selection criteria, deadlines, etc. visit their website.

How to apply: The Critical Language Scholarship Program

Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) General Scholarship

The Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) increases opportunities for dedicated American undergraduates to study abroad by reducing financial restrictions through the provision of scholarships. FEA aims to increase and diversify the population of U.S. students studying abroad. All students are encouraged to apply, with preference given to students underrepresented in study abroad, and students destined for non-traditional locations.

Eligibility:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident of the U.S
• Must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate at a college or university in the U.S
• Must be applying for a study abroad program eligible for credit at the student's educational institution
• Must plan to study abroad for a minimum of 4 weeks in country
• Is committed to supporting education abroad in his/her community through work with the FEA and his/her campus education staff upon return

Application Requirements:

• Application form
• Financial Aid Form (to be filled out by financial aid office)
• Recommendation Letter (by professor or advisor)

Award Amount: $10,000 (Academic Year); $5,000 (Fall/Spring Semester)

Opens: November
Closes: January
How to apply: Fund for Education Abroad

Study Abroad in Japan: Bridging Scholarship

The Bridging Project offers scholarships to American undergraduate students participating in study-abroad programs in Japan. The Bridging Scholarship program is sponsored and funded by the US-Japan Bridging Foundation, which makes it possible to award about 100 scholarships each year to assist students with the travel and living expenses they will incur while studying abroad in Japan for a semester or an academic year. Applications are accepted twice a year for Bridging Scholarships.

Eligibility:

• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen
• Applicant must be enrolled as an undergraduate at any college or university in the United States
• Applicant's study in Japan must earn credit that will transfer transfer back to their home campus

Spring Deadline: October
Fall Deadline: April
How to apply: Bridging Scholarships

STA Travel Start The Adventure Scholarship

STA Travel has created two (2) $2500 scholarships or students for a study abroad program. Once scholarship will be awarded in August and the other in December. In addition, the students' home university of college will receive a matching $2500 to give to a student of the institution's choice for study abroad. Thus, each scholarship will be twice as powerful! There awards are part of STA Travel's mission to make international education accessible.

Eligibility:

• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen
• Applicant must be enrolled in a U.S. college or university where transfer credit from an academic program abroad will be applied to their U.S. degree being earned
• Applicant is enrolled in a U.S. undergraduate, graduate or professional degree program
• Applicant has a minimum GPA of 2.5
• Applicant is studying abroad in a host country for a minimum of 4 weeks/28 days

Selection Preferences:

• Students with financial need (PELL grant recipients)
• Ethnically diverse students
• First generation college students

Closes: November
How to apply: STA Travel

APIASF (Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Foundation) Scholarship Program

The vision and mission of APIASF is to make a difference in the lives of AAPI students by providing them with resources that increase their access to higher education which serves as the foundation for their future success and contributions to a more vibrant America. One way they carry out their mission is providing scholarship to AAPI students.

Eligibility:

• Minimum GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale
• Be of Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity as defined by the U.S. Census
• Be a citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the United States
• Be enrolling as an undergraduate student in a U.S. accredited college or university in the Fall of 2016
• Must apply for federal financial aid using FAFSA
• Submit one letter of recommendation online

Opens: Early September
Closes: Early January
How to apply: APIASF Scholarship Fund

Go Overseas Scholarship

Go Overseas offers several scholarships throughout the year for both undergraduate and graduate students. These scholarships offer the opportunity for general study abroad, as well as the opportunity to study abroad in specific countries. These scholarships can also be applied to either summer, semester, or year long study abroad trips.

Visit their website for more information regarding eligibility, scholarship criteria, selection process, etc.

How to apply:

• Go Overseas Scholarship

Freeman-ASIA

Freeman-ASIA (Freeman Awards for Study in Asia) is designed to support U.S.-based undergraduates with demonstrated financial need who are planning to study overseas in East or Southeast Asia. The program's goal is to increase the number of U.S. citizens and permanent residents with first-hand exposure to and understanding of Asia and its peoples and cultures.

Award recipients are required to share their experiences with their home campuses or communities to encourage study abroad by others and fulfill the program's goal of increasing understanding of Asia in the United States.

Preference will be given to students who:

• Participate in language study that will enhance their ability to engage with host culture
• Enroll in a study abroad program with at least 20 hours per week of class time, incorporating the study of an East or Southeast Asian language, culture, and history.
• Participate in a study abroad programs taught by host country faculty members.
• Demonstrate sincere interest in incorporating East or Southeast Asian Studies into future academic and/or professional plans.

Selection Criteria:

• Financial need
• Commitment to and demonstrated interest in East or Southeast Asian Studies
• Quality of the service project proposal

Visit their website for more information regarding eligibility.

Summer opens: Early February - Closes: March
Fall opens: Late February - Closes: April
How to apply: Freeman ASIA

Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship

The Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship is awarded biannually to passionate students who want to explore the world. This tuition can be used for tuition, room and board, books and travel. Funds will be sent directly to the winner's study abroad program or university. In cases where this is not possible, alternative arrangements will be made.

Visit their website for more information about eligibility.

Closes: May
How to apply: Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship Application

International Student Travel Video Contest

Potential international students and study abroad students can submit a video that’s 4 minutes or less about their proposed international studies. Current international students and study abroad students can create a video about any trip they would like to take during their studies.

Closes: October
How to apply: International Student Travel Video Contest

Toshizo Watanabe Endowed Scholarship

Provides financial assistance to undergraduates students for a semester or year-long study abroad program in 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.

The scholarship will support up to the full cost of attendance to the study abroad program of the applicant’s choice. The scholarship program grants awards to recipients in amounts determined by financial need and other qualifications.

Closes: mid-February
How to apply: Toshizo Watanabe Endowed Scholarship

Ashley Soule Conroy Foundation

The Ashley Soulé Conroy Foundation (Ashley’s Foundation) is a family-run organization, supporting students who are pursuing study abroad all over the globe. Each term, the foundation awards one to three deserving recipients. Applicants are required to submit a Student Aid Report (SAR) and two short essays to provided questions.

Eligibility:

• Be a U.S. citizen.
• Be enrolled as an undergraduate in a U.S. 4-year college or university.
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at their current institution, verifiable on their transcript
• Have at least 30 hours of completed undergraduate credit by the time of the study abroad term’s start date
• Intend to study abroad in a program that is outside of the U.S. for a minimum of 14 weeks
• Be applying for either the Fall or Spring semester. Summer applicants will not be considered unless their academic term abroad is longer than 14 weeks, in which case they should apply for the Spring semester scholarship.

Spring Deadline: October 1 (Results posted December 30)
Fall Deadline: June 1 (Results posted August 1)
How to apply: Ashley Foundation Scholarship

Sons of Norway Scholarships

The Sons of Norway Foundation awards approximately 25 scholarships to promising students each year and promotes cultural exchange and support education to help students prepare the next generation of workers. The main bulk of scholarships are aimed at students of Norwegian descendants or those planning to study in Norwegian schools.

Eligibility, selection criteria, and deadlines differ by type of scholarships. Visit their website for more information.

How to apply: Sons of Norway

Diversity Abroad Overseas Ambassador Scholarship

The DiversityAbroad.com Overseas Ambassador Scholarship was formerly known as the DiversityAbroad.com/AIFS Blogging Scholarship. Diversity Abroad, in cooperation with the AIFS Foundation, will offer $500 scholarships for fall and spring semesters as well as summer term. Five scholarships are available for each semester and two scholarships are available for summer. Students going abroad for the full fall, spring or summer terms are eligible to apply. Economically disadvantaged students, first-generation, students with disabilities and ethnic and racially diverse students are strongly encouraged to apply.

Visit the scholarship page for application details and additional information.

Nicolet Law Scholarship

This scholarship is intended for undergraduate or graduate students.

Eligibility:

• Current or future full-time undergrad or graduate student at any two- or four-year accredited US college or university
• Good academic standing

Application open year round How to apply: NicoletLaw.com

Truman Scholarship

This scholarship offers $30,000 towards graduate studies for worthy applicants.

Eligibility:

• U.S. citizens, U.S. National residents of American Samoa, or expecting their citizenship by the date of the award
• Currently enrolled at a US-based accredited institution
• In their penultimate year of school (for candidates graduating in four years or more) or in their final year of school (for candidates graduating in three years or fewer);
• Nominated by either their current institution of study or their former institution of study for transfer or community college applicants. Students are limited to four nominees plus three additional transfer nominations; and,
• Planning to attend graduate school in pursuit of a career in public service. The Foundation encourages time between undergraduate and graduate school, so candidates need not commit to going immediately

Scholarship is intended to serve:

• students headed towards graduate studies who want a career in public service

Closes: February 4, 2025
How to apply: truman.gov/apply

Financial Information

Student receiving Federal financial aid can use it for up to four semesters abroad.

For more information regarding financial aid contact UH Hilo Financial Aid at uhhfao@hawaii.edu.