Funding your International Experience

Gilman Scholarship 

The Gilman Scholarship (officially the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship) is a U.S. government program that awards scholarships of up to $5,000 (or $8,000 for students studying critical need languages) to help American undergraduates with financial need study or intern abroad. The Gilman opens twice a year, in August & January.

Eligibility Requirements:

• U.S. citizens
• Receive the Pell Grants
• Applying to a credit-bearing study or intern abroad program through St. Kate’s 

Critical Language Scholarship

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) is a fully-funded summer study abroad program for American students to learn critical foreign languages. CLS focuses on building American capacity in languages deemed critical to national security and economic competitiveness. Programs combine classroom instruction with cultural immersion. The CLS opens once a year, in October.  

Key points:

• Fully funded: Covers tuition, housing, meals, airfare, and provides a stipend
• Intensive summer programs for U.S. citizens enrolled in undergraduate or graduate programs
• No language experience required for some programs; others require prior study
• Funded by the U.S. Department of State

Other Scholarships

There are many more scholarships that you might be eligible to apply for! Make sure tolearn more about other scholarships, which our office does not formally advise you for, that you may qualify for here, and always check the scholarship page of your study abroad program directly; many programs have internal need and merit-based scholarships that you may qualify for.

Freeman-ASIA Scholarship

The Freeman-ASIA Scholarship (Freeman Awards for Study in Asia) provides funding for U.S. undergraduates with demonstrated financial need to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia. Freeman-ASIA opens once a year, in February.

Eligibility Requirements:

• For study in countries like China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and others in the region
• U.S. citizens or permanent residents receiving need-based financial aid

Boren Scholarship

The Boren Scholarship provides funding for U.S. undergraduates to study languages and cultures in world regions critical to U.S. national security interests. Boren opens once a year, in October.

Key points:

• Awards up to $25,000 for academic year programs (up to $12,500 for summer)
• Must study in Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, or the Pacific Islands
• Focus on less commonly taught languages (Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Korean, etc.)
• U.S. citizens only
• Service requirement: Recipients must work in the federal government for at least one year after graduation

Fund for Education Abroad

The Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) scholarship supports underrepresented and underserved U.S. students who want to study abroad, with a focus on non-traditional destinations and underrepresented students in study abroad. FEA opens once a year, in the summer. 

Eligibility Requirements:

• For U.S. citizens or permanent residents
• Prioritizes students with demonstrated financial need and academic merit