Study Abroad Scholarships

A short pep talk... don’t be underwhelmed or overwhelmed by the prospects until you have taken the time to research the opportunities available. Do spend considerable time looking at all the options, but take breaks when researching this information -- there’ s a lot out there! Remember that most of the pools of money available are related to a particular program -- usually between $500 and $2000. There are not lots of big chunks of money with which you can spend on anything. Good luck!

• Federal Financial Aid
• Global Educational Opportunities (GEO) Grant
• National Security Education Program (NSEP)
• Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
• ISEP Scholarships
• WVU Affiliated Programs
• Bowman Travel Grants
• McNair Scholarships
• Bridging Scholarships for Study Abroad in Japan
• Rotary Scholarships: Ambassadorial and World Peace
• British Marshall Scholarships
• Rhodes Scholarships
• Junior Year in Munich
• U.S. Student Fulbright Program
• International 4-H Youth Program
• Transitions Abroad’s Student Travel Writers Contest
• Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals
• Alexandar von Humboldt Foundation German Chancellor Scholarship Program
• Freeman Awards for Study in Asia
• Association of International Education, Japan (AIEJ) for Study in Japan
• Your College or Department
• Local Sources
• Online Study Abroad Scholarship Searches
• Internet Sources

Federal Financial Aid
WVU allows you to use your federal aid for ANY study abroad program. Your eligibility for federal financial aid is based on your financial resources and your financial NEED. Even if you currently don’t receive federal aid, you may be eligible if your study abroad costs greatly increase your cost of attendance, and therefore, your NEED. Part of the process for preparing for a study abroad experience is to visit the Financial Aid Office and make an appointment to see Paula King. Take a preliminary budget with you listing the costs that are directly related to your proposed study abroad experience — i.e., passport and visa application fees, international health and travel insurance, airfare, tuition, room and board, and books. Sight-seeing, luggage, and cameras do not count!  The National Association of Financial Aid Administrators  NASFAA) site provides a free, comprehensive, independent and objective guide to student financial aid <http://www.wvu.edu/~finaid/abroad.htm>. The US Department of Education offers The Student Guide to Financial Aid at <http://www.ed.gov/prog_info/SFA/StudentGuide/2000-1/>.

Global Educational Opportunities (GEO) Grant
2008/2009 Application Deadline: February 15, 2008

The WVU Office of International Programs is pleased to announce the 2008/2009 Global Education Opportunities (GEO) Grant Program. These grants enable undergraduate and graduate students to study abroad or to pursue international research and training experiences. Funds are provided by the Nelson International Study Travel Endowment and the W. Gerald and Carolyn E. Blaney Endowment, as well as the Office of International Programs. Students may apply to one of two types of GEO Grant Program competitions.

• Undergraduate - Long Term and Semester Study Abroad
• International Research and Training

Awards will be presented to the winners at an award ceremony in April. Grants for international research and training and long term and semester study abroad programs are used only toward international airfare, and may be up to $1,000. Full or part-time students enrolled at West Virginia University during the semester in which the award is granted are eligible to submit proposals. Financial Aid recipients must report their awards to the WVU Financial Aid Office.

Each application should include the following items:
o Completed application form
o Essay
o Two reference reports
o International airfare quote

Application materials can be viewed and printed though Adobe Acrobat Reader below. Be sure to choose the materials for the appropriate grant category. For more information, please contact the WVU Office of International Programs at the address below.

Completed applications should be mailed to:

Office of International Programs
West Virginia University
Attn: Becky McDaniel
P.O. Box 6214
Morgantown, WV 26506-6214
Phone: (304) 293-6955

National Security Education Program
NSEP awards undergraduate and graduate scholarships created to educate US citizens to understand foreign culture and to strength US economic competitiveness. The maximum award is $8,000 for undergraduates. Grants are for a minimum of one academic semester and a maximum of 24 months. Aid is available for countries other than Western Europe, New Zealand, Canada, or Australia, and some countries have higher priorities than others and the priority lists change annually. There are also subject priorities that change annually. Recipients must study the language of the country to which they travel, and those studying French or Spanish must be at an advanced level. Recipients must agree to a service requirement of working in an federal agency with national security responsibilities for a duration equal to the time for which funding was awarded. This service must be completed within 8 years. A job service is available. Application will be reviewed by the WVU NSEP Pre-selection Committee in mid-December, and the federal deadline is usually in early February, for the following academic year. For more information send email to oip@mail.wvu.edu or view NSEP's webpage at <http://www.iie.org/nsep>

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
The Gilman program offers awards for U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are receiving federal Pell Grant funding at a 2-year or 4-year college or university. Scholarship amounts are $3000 for summer programs and $5000 for a semester or academic year. Recipients are expected to carry out a project that promotes study abroad and the Gilman program in their community or school upon their return from their study abroad experience. Deadlines are generally mid-February for the fall semester or academic year and October first for Spring and summer programs. Electronic submission of application is required, and there are three sections, one each of which must be completed by the student, the study abroad professional, and the financial aid advisor. Application and more information can be found at http://www.iie.org/gilman.

ISEP Scholarships
For students participating in ISEP Exchange or ISEP Direct programs, scholarships may be available through ISEP.<http://www.isep.org/students/Programs/financial_aid_scholarships.asp>.

WVU Affiliated Programs
Many of WVU’s affiliate programs offer reduced tuition or access to scholarships. Contact the OIP for more information. <http://www.wvu.edu/~intlprog/affiliated.html>.

Bridging Scholarships for Study Abroad in Japan
The Association of Teachers of Japanese Bridging Project awards 30 scholarships for each the Fall and Springs semesters.  Recipients receive stipends ranging from $2,500 to $4,000, depending on the length of their study program in Japan.  Selection is based on academic potential and financial need.  Undergraduate students majoring in any field are eligible and previous Japanese language study is not a prerequisite. For more information see:  <http:www.colorado.edu/elld/atk/Bridging/scholarships.html>

Bowman Travel Grants
Council CIEE: Council on International Educational Exchange provides assistance to undergraduate students participating in educational programs in non-traditional destinations (not Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or Western Europe). Applicants must participate in Council Study Center, Direct Enrollment, Work, or Volunteer programs or a program sponsored by, or simply be enrolled in, a university that has been appointed as an Official International Student Identity Card (ISIC) Issuing Office (WVU’s OIP is an issuing office!) Applications demonstrating significant interaction with the host population take priority, and although there is no specific focus of program or activity, reviewers are interested in projects that contribute to enhancing an applicant’s language skills and/or understanding of cultural and social issues. Awards are issued as vouchers to be used for round-trip airline tickets to the program.

McNair Scholarships
The Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program at West Virginia University is designed to give hope and opportunity to promising and highly motivated students from populations that are underrepresented in higher education and low income first-generation students. McNair Scholars gain demonstrable research skills, knowledge on how to access and succeed in graduate school, and access to a network of scholarly professionals and peers. In addition to participating in a year long academic experience that includes familiarity with the graduate school application process, standardized tests such as GRE and GMAT, and graduate opportunities at other universities, McNair Scholars at WVU are required to complete a carefully planned 6 week research assignment for which they receive a stipend of $2,800 to defray costs of participation. More information available on the McNair Scholars program at http://www.wvu.edu/~mcnair.

Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship
Rotary International is an international service organization that funds study abroad. You must contact your local, hometown chapter for information about scholarship eligibility criteria, application procedures and deadlines. Deadlines are usually between March and July every year. If your local Rotary does not offer the Ambassadorial Scholarship program, ask where the next closest chapter would be that might entertain your application.  In Morgantown, please contact D. Courtney Black, Technical Director, WV Water Research Institute,West Virginia University, <Courtney.Black@mail.wvu.edu> (304) 293-2867 ext. 5447.  For further Rotary information, please see <http://www.rotary.org/foundation/>

Rotary World Peace Scholarship
This program, also sponsored by Rotary International, offers annually 70 Rotary World Peace Scholarships for two-year master's degrees or certificate programs in international relations, peace studies and conflict resolution at one of seven Rotary Centers for International Studies located at prestigious universities around the globe. The annual deadline is around October 1. For more information, eligibility criteria, and application procedures regarding this scholarship, contact Renee Stephenson, Resource Development Supervisor, Educational Programs, The Rotary Foundation, at <stephenr@rotaryintl.org,> by phone at (847) 866-3314 or visit <http://www.rotary.org/foundation/educational>

British Marshall Scholarships
Administered by the British Embassy and sponsored by the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission, this program aims to bring intellectually distinguished young Americans for study in the United Kingdom.  Annually, 40 scholarships are awarded to U.S. nationals on the basis of merit, providing for two years of study in any field at any British university. The average award is $23,000, including tuition, travel, and living expenses. More information about British Marshall Scholarships is available through the British Council at: <http://www.britishcouncil-usa.org/usabms.htm>.

Rhodes Scholarships
Annually, 32 scholarships are awarded to U.S. nationals and some 230 scholarships are awarded internationally.  Rhodes Scholars are appointed for two years of undergraduate study in the University of Oxford, with the possibility of renewal for a third year.  Scholarship includes all educational costs, including matriculation, tuition, laboratory and certain other fees, as well as the cost of travel to and from Oxford. The WVU contact for the Rhodes Scholarship is Dr. Robert DiClerico <rdicleri@wvu.edu> of the Department of Political Science. More information about the Rhodes Scholarship program and Oxford University is available at: <http://www.rhodesscholar.org/>.

Junior Year in Munich
The Junior Year in Munich (JYM) distributes tens of thousands of dollars in JYM Scholarships to WVU students who have been accepted to a full-year JYM program. For year-long study, the application deadline is March 15 and for the second semester the application deadline is October 15. Awards generally range from $1,000 to $4,000. Students interested in the year-long JYM program are also encouraged to apply for the "DAAD Long-Term edu.de scholarships" of $7,000. The DAAD application deadline is January 31 for the ensuing year. Details about JYM Scholarships and financing study abroad in Germany can be found at http://www.worldbridge.wayne.edu/jym/scholarships.html or contact Mark Ferguson, Program Director at (313) 577-4605 or via email at <mark.ferguson@wayne.edu>.

U.S. Student Fulbright Program
Supported by an annual appropriation from Congress to the Department of State, this program promotes cross-cultural interaction on a person-to-person basis in an atmosphere of openness, academic integrity, and intellectual freedom. This program is designed to give U.S. recent B.S./B.A. graduates, master’s and doctoral candidates, and young professionals and artists opportunities for personal development and international experience by offering grants to over 100 countries. Grants will be awarded to the best qualified students regardless of degree level, though preference will be given to applicants who have recently received a baccalaureate degree. Grants available include Fulbright Full Grants, Fulbright Travel Grants, and Foreign and Private Grants, for a total of 960 grants divided by region and by country. Awards are generally for one academic year of study or research, though in some cases applications for 6 months will be accepted. Most grantees plan their own programs, which may include university coursework, independent library or field research, special projects, etc. or a combination thereof. The WVU contact is Dr. Daniel Weiner <Daniel.Weiner@mail.wvu.edu>, of the WVU Office of International Programs. Information and applications are available at: <http://www.iie.org/fulbright/us/>.

International 4-H Youth Program
4-H sends representatives to 25 different countries. You do NOT need to be a member of 4-H (though you can join now!). Representatives must be between 19 and 30 years old and be willing to share their experiences with 4-H upon returning to the U.S. For more information about 4-H programs, contact 4-H at (602) 943-7168 or <CDIntl@worldnet.att.net>.  <http://www.ifyeusa.org/>.

Transitions Abroad's Student Travel Writers Contest
Transitions Abroad is a magazine that provides practical information about studying, working, and living abroad and features a student-to-student column in each issue. Students are welcome to submit essays for the travel writing contest ranging from 1000 to 1500 words in length. The first place prize is $250. The deadline for consideration is December 1^st. More information is available from <http://www.transabroad.com>. Essays can be submitted after your return — if you win you can reimburse yourself!

Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals
This one-year publicly funded scholarship exchange is intended for high school graduates between the ages of 18 and 24 possessing well-defined career plans, work experience in their field, and strengths in independence and flexibility.  The program provides two months of intensive German language instruction, four months of professional schooling and a five-month internship in the participant's professional field.  Most costs of the one-year stay, such as international and domestic transportation, are covered by the scholarship.  The application deadline is December 15th Applications may be requested at cbxy@cdsintl.org or prospective applicants can visit <http://whttp://www.cdsintl.org/> for more information.

Alexandar von Humboldt Foundation German Chancellor Scholarship Program
Ten German Chancellor Scholarships are awarded annually to  individuals who demonstrate potential to strengthen ties between Germany and the United States through their profession or studies.  The scholarship provides for a stay of one year in Germany for professional development, study, or research.   Applicants design individual projects tailored to their professional development and goals and decide at which institutions to pursue them.  The program begins September 1st and lasts twelve months.  It is preceded in August by language classes taught in Germany.   The monthly stipends are included.  Candidates must be US citizens, possess a bachelor's degree by the start of the award, and should be under 35 years of age.  Command of German is not a prerequisite.  Applications and information can be found on the foundation's webpage at <http://www.humboldt-foundation.de>.

Freeman Awards for Study in Asia
This fund is designed to encourage more undergraduate U.S. citizens and permanent residents to study in East and Southeast Asia. Awards are available only to student who study in one or more of the following countries: Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, or Vietnam. Awards will range from $3,000 to $7,000 depending on the length of the study abroad program. Awardees will be expected to propose a service plan to share their experience with their home campuses, to encourage study in Asia by others, and to spread understanding of Asia in their home communities. This service plan must be completed within 3 months after return from a study abroad program in Asia. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, must be currently enrolled as undergraduates in good academic standing at accredited U.S. colleges or universities, and must currently receive financial aid or have verifiable need for financial assistance for study in Asia. The online application can be accessed at <http://www.iie.org/pgms/Freeman-ASIA>.

AIEJ: Association of International Education, Japan
The purpose of the AIEJ Scholarship is to contribute to the promotion of international exchanges and friendship between Japan and other countries by conducting various international exchange projects in line with the Japanese government policy. AIEJ is engaged in a wide variety of services, including the provision of information and consultation on study in Japan, promotion of short-term student exchanges, follow-up services for former international students in Japan, and assistance in other international educational exchanges. Inviting international students to Japan has been one of the most important policies of the Japanese government, making AIEJ's role more and more important. Awards include (1)A monthly stipend of ¥80,000 per month (about $650.00 a month) up to 12 months, (2)Travel expenses: An economy class round-trip air ticket to Japan and (3)A settling-in allowance: ¥25,000 (about $200) upon arrival. Eligible applicants (graduate or undergraduate level)must must be currently enrolled at an exchange partner institution, in good academic standing and must plan on study in Japan for one year, including a spring internship program in Japan. More information to come.

Your College or Department
Check with your own college or department for funds. For example, the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences has an Enrichment Fund that awards $500 scholarships and works on a rolling application basis. Applications are available from your advisor or college dean’s office. <http://domino.wvuf.wvnet.edu/fundsch.nsf/School/
College?OpenView&Start=1&Count=1000&Expand=2#2>

Local Sources
You might check banks in your hometown to ask if they award monies to students for educational or international purposes. Funds may also be available from your parents’ or guardians’ employer or a large hometown business or civic organization.

Online Study Abroad Scholarship Searches
The Online Study Abroad Scholarship Database allows you to enter search criteria and get a list of potential scholarships. To search the entire list, don’t enter any criteria. The address is: <http://www.internationalscholarships.com>. A financial search is also a feature of <http://www.studyabroad.com>. Most of this will be program-related scholarship opportunities for programs sponsored by other American or foreign universities, proprietary and non-profit companies, and consortia.  In addition, the following internet resources also offer comprehensive searches.

Internet Resources
The following Web site bibliography lists organizations concerned with study and research abroad and funding opportunities.  This information is a consolidation of the internet resource guides developed by the Institute of International Education (IIE) for the annual publication, Academic Year Abroad; and William Nolting for the NAFSA: Association of International Educator's online publication, Internet Resources for Education Abroad.

• Academy for Educational Development (AED) — AED offers the PPIA Fellowship Program and the National Security Education Program Graduate International Fellowships.  The site provides information on international exchange, fellowships and training.  <http://www.aed.org/>

• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) — This site lists scholarships and fellowships available only to ASCE members. <http://www.asce.org/>

• Federal Information Exchange — Fedix, an online database of federal grant and research opportunities for the education and research communities, and Molis, an online database of 164 minority institutions, both deliver E-mail announcements of grant opportunities from any of 12 federal agencies, depending upon specific interests of the recipient.   Registration for this service is available on the site.  <http://www.sciencewise.com/>

• Foundation Center — A non-profit publisher of comprehensive information on private-sector grants to institutions, including guides to grants for international programs.  The hard copy directories are available in many university libraries.   <http://www.fdncenter.org/>

• IIE Passport Funding Search Tool —This valuable funding resource allows you to search by country or subject to find the study abroad funding information that you need. This extensive database includes study abroad scholarships, fellowships, and grants.
<http://www.studyabroadfunding.org>

• Minority International Research Training Grant (MIRT) — This program of the Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health, sends minority undergraduates and medical students abroad to do health-related research.  <http://www.fic.nih.gov>

• National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) — The NEA's International Partnerships Office has on its site the full text of "World Arts:  A Guide to International Exchange."  <http://www.arts.endow.gov/partner/international/>

• National Science Foundation (NSF) — The NSF encourages exchange in science and engineering.  The site has an international component, providing links with valuable information on fellowships, grants and awards, summer institutes, workshops, research and education projects, and international programs.  Targeted for students as well as professionals.  <http://www.nsf.gov/>

• Office of Higher Education Programs, US Department of Education — Administered by the Center for International Education, this site describes programs and fellowships offered by the International Education and Graduate Programs Office of the US Department of Education.  <http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ope/hep.html>

• Scholarships for Graduate Study, University of Pennsylvania — Provides a listing of links for graduate study abroad and scholarship opportunities.  <http://www.upenn.edu/oip/scholarships/index.html>

• The Smithsonian — Contains a fellowship link to Smithsonian Opportunities for Research and Study.  <http://www.si.edu/>

• Woodrow Wilson International Fellowship Foundation — Provides information on several multi-year scholarship programs for students, especially minorities, interested in international careers.  <http://www.woodrow.org/fellowships.php>

• World Wide Arts Resources — Focusing solely on the arts, this site provides links for funding sources, university programs and arts organizations all over the world.  <http://www.world-arts-resources.com/>