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Scholarships & Financial Aid

In an effort to reduce out-of-pocket expenses, students may seek additional ways to fund their education abroad program. Education Abroad strongly encourages students to connect with the TWU Write Site for assistance and support related to scholarship essays.

The following resource is available to help students begin to conceptualize written essay components:
A Guide to Education Abroad Scholarship Applications

Gilman International Scholarship Program 
The application deadline for overseas programs that start May 2024-April 2025 is March 7, 2024 at 11:59pm Pacific Time! 
Click here for a Gilman Scholarship Program Application Walkthrough (5 minute video) 
 
Students who qualify for and receive federal financial aid can utilize their aid toward education abroad program expenses. General information about applying for and utilizing financial aid at TWU is available online at the TWU Financial Aid website.

All students participating in education abroad programs complete a TWU Education Abroad portal application specific to the selected program. As a part of the program registration, students receive additional information about utilizing their financial aid to pay for the education abroad program. Students who are eligible for and receive federal financial aid will have the opportunity to have their financial aid re-evaluated to determine if they qualify for additional financial aid awards based on the cost of their education abroad program. Financial Aid re-evaluations can only occur after a student has selected, applied to, and been accepted to a specific education abroad program.

Are you a TWU Terry Foundation Scholar? Learn more about Terry Study Abroad Special Funding Requests
As part of TWU mandatory fees, each semester students contribute toward the International Education Fee. This fund assists students participating in approved TWU education abroad programs outside of the United States. The Education Abroad Scholarship (EAS) is open to all TWU students, including international students, meeting the eligibility requirements as stipulated within the application. Students may apply up to 1 year in advance of their departure, with scholarship awards ranging from $500 - $1,500. Explore the TWU Education Abroad Scholarship
Students participating in Traditional Study Abroad Programs, International Internships, or International Service Learning programs may have access to additional scholarship support. Please visit the links below to explore scholarship opportunities offered directly through our affiliated program providers: 
 
The following scholarships are designed specifically to support education abroad programs. Please visit the links below to learn more about eligibility requirements, award amounts, and application cycles:
 
  • BeGirl World Study Abroad All Country Scholarship
    • National Scholar: This scholarship is for a Black female-identifying undergraduate student. 
  • Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
    • The Gilman Program enables U.S. undergraduate students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. The Gilman Program offers scholarships of up to $5,000 to Pell Grant recipients participating in credit-bearing abroad programs in locations with Level 1 or Level 2 Travel Advisories, according to the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs.  Eligible study abroad programs or internships must start between May 1, 2024, and April 30, 2025. 
    • The March 2024 application cycle is open now with a deadline of Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 11:59pm PST.
    • Click here for a Gilman Scholarship Program Application Walkthrough (5 minute video)
  • Gilman-McCain Scholarship
    • The John S. McCain International Scholarship for Military Families (Gilman-McCain Scholarship) provides awards of $5,000 for child and spousal dependents of active or activated United States military personnel to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs. Applicants must be recipients of any type of Title IV federal financial aid.
  • Gilman STEM Supplemental Award
    • In support of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, the Gilman Program is providing supplemental awards of up to $1,000 each for a Gilman scholar to conduct STEM-related research abroad as part of their study abroad or international internship program. Students can select to be considered for the STEM Supplemental Award through the Gilman application.
  • Boren Awards
    • Fund study abroad by U.S. undergraduate students in world regions critical to U.S. interests. Fund research and language study proposals by U.S. graduate students in world regions critical to U.S. interests. 
  • Corinne Jeannine Schillings Foundation
    • The Foundation supports Silver or Gold Award Girl Scouts undergraduates who plan to study abroad, regardless of their major/minor. 
  • Diverse International Women of Color
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​DIWC will award $500 scholarships to women of color who have been accepted to an In-Person Study Abroad Program. 
  • Diversity Abroad Overseas Ambassador
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Diversity Abroad, in cooperation with the AIFS, will offer $500 stipends for fall, spring, and summer terms for current students or recent graduates who are planning to study, intern, volunteer, or teach abroad to serve as an Overseas Ambassador. 
  • Fulbright Scholar Program
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides 1-year, fully funded grants for graduating seniors, recent graduates, graduate students, and young professionals to conduct individually designed research projects, enroll in graduate school, or teach English abroad. 
    • Learn more here
  • Fund for Education Abroad
    • The mission of the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) is to provide scholarships and ongoing support to students who are underrepresented among the U.S. study abroad population. FEA scholarship applicants participating on programs hosted by providers in our Access Partner program may be eligible for financial support of up to $5,000. Similarly to ApplyTexas, one online application leads to many opportunities. As an applicant to FEA, you are considered for all of the scholarships you meet the criteria for, along with the FEA General Scholarships.
    • Eligibility Requirements 
      • To be eligible for an FEA scholarship, you must be:
      • U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or DACA recipient
      • Currently enrolled as an undergraduate at U.S. institution of higher education (graduate students are not eligible)
      • Receiving credit at your home institution for the study abroad program
    • Deadline
      • The Summer/Fall 2024, Academic Year 2024-2025 application is open! The application will close on Wednesday, February 7, 2024 at 12:00 PM (noon) Eastern. If you are planning to study abroad in spring 2025, the application will open in summer 2024 (date TBA).
  • Going Abroad Scholarship
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Going Study Abroad Scholarship is open to any citizen and/or resident of the United States (and its territories and possessions) who is enrolled full-time at an accredited institution of higher learning. *Graduate students may be eligible to apply.
    • Scholarship application deadlines are March 15th and October 15th. Winners will be notified by March 31st for fall study abroad and October 31st for spring study abroad. 
  • Hostelling International Explore the World Travel Scholarships
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Recipients receive $2,000 to help finance their international trip that includes an educational or service component. *Graduate students may be eligible to apply. 
  • Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants are designed to help support undergraduates as they seek knowledge and experience in their academic fields by studying abroad. One hundred twenty-five $1,000 grants are awarded each year.
    • Applicants do not have to be Society members but must attend an institution with an active Phi Kappa Phi chapter.
    • Application deadline is March 15, 2024; Recipients will be notified May 1, 2024
    • Study Abroad program must begin during this time: May 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025
  • Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarships
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship is awarded biannually to passionate undergraduate students who want to explore the world. The scholarship winner will receive $1,000 scholarship to be used for tuition, room and board, books, or travel and 1 travel backpack. 
    • Fall 2024 Scholarship deadline is April 15, 2024. Spring 2025 Scholarship deadline is November 15, 2024. Summer programs are ineligible for this scholarship. 
While the following scholarships provide more broad-based educational support, many students have utilized funds toward education abroad programs. Please visit the links below to learn more about eligibility requirements, award amounts, and application cycles:
 
  • American Association of University Women
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​AAUW is providing more than $6 million in funding to 285 fellows and grantees in the 2023-24 award year. These exceptional recipients will pursue academic work and lead innovative community projects to empower women and girls.
  • Golden Key Scholarships
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Golden Key International Honour Society is the world's largest collegiate honor society for graduate and undergraduate students, and has strong relationships with over 400 universities around the world. Members qualify when they are at the top 15% of their class, and are given access to a wide range of rewards, scholarships, travel and study abroad opportunities, and more.
  • Hispanic Scholarship Fund 
    • HSF empowers students and parents with the knowledge and resources to successfully complete a higher education, while providing support services and scholarships to as many exceptional students, HSF Scholars and Alumni as possible.
  • Jeannette Rankin Women's Scholarship Fund
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Inspired by the first U.S. Congresswoman, the Jeannette Rankin Foundation awards grants to applicants who are working toward their first associate’s or bachelor’s degree, identify as women/nonbinary, are 35 and older, and demonstrate financial need — from all states and backgrounds.
  • National Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship Program
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The 2023 National Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship is open to any student enrolled full-time for the 2023-2024 academic year in the following accredited graduate schools: 
      • Medicine 
      • Dentistry
      • Pharmacy
      • Nursing (including BSN) programs 
      • Physician Associate programs
  • National Italian American Foundation
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​NIAF administers nearly 200 scholarships annually, ranging in value from $2,500 to $12,000 to Italian American students studying a wide variety of subjects.
    • Applicants must have an active NIAF Membership. NIAF memberships are valid for one year from the date of registration. Students may use their parent, guardian or grandparent’s membership.
  • National Science Foundation
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The U.S. National Science Foundation offers hundreds of funding opportunities — including grants, cooperative agreements and fellowships — that support research and education across science and engineering.
  • Rotary International Scholarships
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Clubs and districts offer scholarships for secondary, undergraduate, or graduate study. These scholarships can be supported with funds raised locally or with Rotary Foundation district or global grants. Contact your local club for application information and eligibility requirements. Find your local club​​​​​​​
  • Social Science Foundation
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​SSRC has awarded more than fifteen thousand fellowships to researchers around the globe. Council fellowship programs are strategic – they target specific problems, promote individual and institutional change, and expand networks.
  • Varsity Tutors College Scholarship
    • ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Monthly chance to win a $200 scholarship.
There are additional ways students supplement education abroad expenses beyond financial aid and scholarships:
 
  1. Crowdfunding / crowdsourcing - Campaign for support by preparing your pitch, setting a realistic goal, and enlisting the power of social networking (Resource: TransitionsAbroad)
  2. Personal savings plans - Connect with your bank and/or consider utilizing technology apps designed to support personal savings accounts (resource: GoAbroad)
  3. Gift giving occasion - Will you be celebrating a holiday or birthday before you go abroad? Utilize natural gift-giving occasions to source support for your upcoming education abroad program. Think beyond monetary gifts and build your wishlist with tangible item you might need purchase. (Resource: GoAbroad)
  4. Scholarship databases - Utilize scholarship databases to scour through hundreds and thousands of private scholarships available to support general education expenses (Resource: USA Today)