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Scholarships

Germany by Kate Hilson

Education Abroad Scholarship Information

There are many scholarships to help you afford the costs of an Education Abroad program. All students with demonstrated financial need will receive a scholarship award. You may receive one or more scholarships from a variety of sources including the Education Abroad office, your program provider, your academic department at CU, and external scholarship sponsors. If you have additional questions that are not addressed below, please contact Education Abroad (click on the "Contact Us" link at the bottom).

Frequently Asked Questions about Scholarships

The amount of education abroad scholarships varies greatly, from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. Scholarship amounts depend on your personal financial need and the cost of your program.

We highly recommend looking at the Going Abroad Within Your Budget page and the Financial Aid page for information about sources of funding and strategies to make going abroad affordable for you. An education abroad advisor can also provide guidance and advice.

Regardless of the potential amounts of any scholarships for which you apply, it is unrealistic to assume that you will receive enough scholarship money to cover most of your program costs. Apply to ALL scholarships for which you are eligible and hope for the best outcome! At the same time, have a back-up funding source (i.e. loans, family resources, savings) in case you do not receive receive as much as you hoped for. If you apply and don't receive as much as you need, we encourage you to talk to us about switching to a more affordable program or alternative scholarship opportunities.

 
  1. Browse through the scholarships on this page.
  2. Start by applying for the Buffs Abroad Scholarship or CU in DC Scholarship. These general applications get you considered for most awards.
  3. Find additional scholarships that are specific to your program. These scholarships are listed on the webpage for each program: (click on the Home button on the left, then on "Programs". Once you click on the link for your program look under the "Finances" tab.
  4. Apply directly to scholarships offered by your program provider (CIEE, CAPA, ISA, IES, SIT, DIS, Arcadia, etc.)
 

View the scholarship essay tips sheet.

 

In most cases, yes, they will automatically apply. However, we encourage you to consult with the Office of Financial Aid if you have specific questions about how your scholarships will apply to your program fees and out of pocket expenses. The CU Promise Grant is applicable to education abroad programs.

Internal Scholarships

All students with demonstrated financial need will receive a scholarship award!

To be considered for general funding through the Education Abroad office apply to one of these that matches your program type:

  • Buffs Abroad Scholarships: For any student applying to a CU Boulder education abroad program. Scholarships typically range from $500 - $3,000 depending on your need and the cost of your program.
    • Global Seminar Scholarships: For any student applying to a CU Global Seminar. Use the Buffs Abroad Scholarship application, but also review this page to learn about additional awards - there are many to consider!
  • CU in D.C. Scholarships: For any student applying to a CU in D.C. program. Scholarships typically range from $500 - $3,000 depending on your need and the cost of your program.
    • Additionally, for students with demonstrated medium to high need and students from an underrepresented background, the Buffs in D.C. Scholarship will supply funds to assist with the cost of housing in Washington. You will be automatically considered.
  • Global Intensive Scholarships: For any student applying to a CU Global Intensive. Awards range from $500 - $1,500.
Students applying for any of the above awards can also be considered for:
  • Sustainable Buffs Scholarship: Each term the CU Education Abroad office will award five $1,000 awards to students who demonstrate a commitment to sustainability efforts, both at home and on their program. Use the question prompt in your scholarship application to apply. 
  • Veteran/GI Bill Recipient Scholarship: Each term the CU Education Abroad office will give two awards to GI Bill recipients. For semester programs this amount is $5,000, for summer programs it is $3,000 and for Global Intensives it is $1,500. Please indicate your GI Bill status in your scholarship application.

Donor-funded Awards for Programs Abroad
For students going abroad, there are also specific donor-funded scholarships. To be considered, you must apply through the Buffs Abroad or Global Intensive Scholarships application. Read the eligibility criteria below and apply for the award you are most qualified for (you may only select one). Our scholarship review team will try to match you to another donor scholarship if your first selection is not possible. These are competitive scholarships and will only be awarded to a handful of students each term. 

  • Auf Gehts (let’s go!) Scholarship for German Language: $1,000-$1,500 for Colorado residents studying in Germany for a semester or academic year.
    While an undergraduate at CU Boulder, Sharron Land Gegenheimer (’83 Economics & German), participated in a one-year study abroad program in Tuebingen, Germany. That year abroad had a huge impact on Sharron’s life, and positively shaped her career in International Sales and Marketing. Now retired, Sharron and her husband Bill created this scholarship to encourage the next generation of CU Boulder students to pursue their dreams and develop their passion for the German language skills – Auf gehts (let’s go!).
  • Boulder Valley Rotary Club Warkentin Scholarship Fund: $1,000-$2,000 for summer or semester programs. Preference is given to students with prior participation in a service project or a service club, and to students studying outside Western Europe or Australia and New Zealand.
    This special Rotary award was established in memory of Don Warkentin, a longtime member of the Boulder Valley Rotary Club. Don was passionate about international youth exchange programs which provide young people with a better understanding of our world and its many cultures. 
  • Carrie Beth Lutin Scott Scholarship: Up to $2,000 for a semester programs only. Priority given to students pursuing Jewish Studies in Israel or another country. Your scholarship essay must demonstrate how you are pursuing Jewish Studies abroad. 
    This award was established in the name and memory of Carrie Beth Lutin Scott, a 1980 graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder with a degree in Communications. Carrie was a proud alumnus and advocate of CU Boulder to friends and strangers alike. One of her most memorable and impactful experiences during her time at CU Boulder was during her junior year aboard Semester at Sea. The friends and experiences she made stayed with her for her lifetime. This scholarship brings together two important and impactful portions of her life: travel and her Jewish heritage. In her memory, the Scott family established a scholarship for the CU Boulder Education Abroad office.
  • Delaney Scholarship: Up to $2,000. Wide eligibility, but students must demonstrate financial need. Semester, summer or winter program. 
    This award was set up by Michael and Jean Delaney to help students fund a “life-changing” experience abroad. Michael and Jean Delaney worked in the CU Boulder Office of International Education for over 30 years in various capacities, including Director of Study Abroad and Director of International Education.
  • Gaffney Scholarship: Up to $1,500. Your scholarship essay must demonstrate how you are incorporating language and cultural immersion into your study abroad plans. Students must demonstrate financial need. Semester, summer or winter program. 
    The William Gaffney Scholarship is made possible through the generosity of his family and friends. William (Will) was a Humanities major at CU, graduating in December 1992. He participated in the CU Study Abroad program to Bordeaux, France, an experience that had a large impact upon his life. Will was killed in a tragic accident during a film shoot in remote Ecuador in April 2000. At the time he was in Ecuador with his wife teaching English.
  • Mayes Endowed Travel Award Fund For Herbst Humanities: Up to $1,000; only Engineering students going on a Herbst faculty-led Global Seminar or Global Intensive. 
    This award was set up by Terry & Bart Mayes as well as Terry's mother, Mary Anderson. During Terry’s career at CU Boulder, she became acquainted with the Herbst Program of Humanities in Engineering. The weekly Herbst seminars for faculty and staff engaged Terry on many different topics, and in a variety of mediums (poetry, short stories, books, movies, etc.), continuing her interest in the humanities and in other cultures. As a result of her admiration and respect for the Herbst program and faculty, Terry chose to establish this fund. The goal of the fund is to help students develop a love and appreciation for other countries and to instill a life-long love of travel that will enrich their lives for years to come.
  • Michael Yokell Scholarship: Up to $2,000 for a semester program in Israel. Preference given to students studying science, technology, engineering, math, economics or business and those with a 3.0 or above.
  • Roaming Buffs Scholarship: $1,500 for a fall program only. Students must demonstrate financial need and be an excellent representative of CU Boulder.
    These scholarships (three per year) are provided by donors who participate in a CU Boulder Roaming Buffs Travel Program.
  • Sarah Philipps Memorial Scholarship: Up to $8,000 for a semester or year-long program in the UK or Ireland. Preference given to English majors/minors or students who are going abroad to study literature. 
    To learn more about Sarah Philipps and her family visit this page.
  • Scott Shively Memorial Scholarship: Up to $1,500 for a semester program. Preference given to students studying/exploring issues of social justice, including racial, environmental and economic justice, as well as the ideas of pluralism, diversity and inclusion.
    Your essay must demonstrate how you are engaged in social justice abroad. An award of up to $1,500 is given to a student each semester. Click here to learn more about Scott Shively.
  • van Veenendaal Family Scholarship: Four, $5,000 scholarships are given to students going on fall programs (deadline is once a year on March 1). Preference will be given to students demonstrating financial need and students from diverse backgrounds. Diverse students include those students from geographic areas and socioeconomic backgrounds that are historically underrepresented in education abroad, first generation college students and students who have faced unusual adversity.

External Scholarships by Category

Note: Most CU Boulder campus scholarships will also apply to a term on a CU Boulder approved education abroad program. View the CU Boulder Scholarships page for a list of possibilities.

For scholarships specific to education abroad, see the list below:

  • Fund for Education Abroad Scholarships: Broad eligibility, check the website for deadlines.
  • Gilman Scholarship: For students currently receiving Pell grants as part of their federal financial aid.
  • Go! Overseas Study Abroad Scholarships: Very broad eligibility - most students will be eligible.
  • Global Opportunity (GO) Scholarship: Students with unmet financial need. Must apply in your first year at CU; scholarship funds must be used before graduation. Deadline is December 1st.
  • IIE Adell & Hancock Scholarships: The Adell & Hancock Fund is to provide supplemental support to a U.S. student who is currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program for study abroad for summer or fall (spring programs not eligible). The award may vary but can be up to $4000 per awardee. Students should demonstrate proficiency with the language of their chosen country. The student must be a U.S. Citizen, have a minimum 3.5 GPA and be participating in a study abroad program that is 30 days or longer. A link to the application will be sent out to qualifying students by the CU Education Abroad office.
  • SR Education Group Study Abroad Scholarship: Broad eligibility, but only awarded once per year in spring.
  • The Going Abroad Scholarship: $1500 award - see website for details and deadlines.
  • Travel Writing Contests
  • Asher & Lyric Study Abroad Scholarship: This scholarship program aims to support current students wishing to experience new cultures and to broaden their perspectives. Must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP) Grants: For undergraduate research or creative work projects. Projects must involve additional coursework or research on top of what is already required on an education abroad program and students must spend additional time abroad to complete the additional project. Students should first contact UROP to ensure that their project meets these guidelines before applying.  The deadline is early - plan ahead!
 
 

(See the CU Boulder program-specific webpages for additional scholarships that may be country-specific.)

  • Boren Awards for International Study (NSEP Scholarships): For student planning an overseas program in a country outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. The Boren Awards fund the intensive study of language and culture abroad by U.S. undergraduate or graduate students. Program of 25+ weeks are prioritized but there is funding available for shorter programs. Recipients of Boren Scholarships must accept a Service Requirement to work for the federal government in the national security arena for at least a year after graduation. Check the eligibility requirements on the Boren website, read the CU Boulder Boren Steps and Tips for additional info and then contact Sarah Westmoreland for more information. The CU campus deadline is typically in late January each year for the following summer, fall and spring terms.
  • Freeman-ASIA Scholarship: For students with demonstrated financial need to go abroad in East or Southeast Asia. Please read the CU Boulder Steps and Tips for additional information and contact Sarah Westmoreland if you have more questions before applying.
  • Leason Scholarship for European Union Studies: For students with financial need who are studying abroad in an EU member state and who can demonstrate interest in European Union studies during their education abroad program. Send you completed application to felicia.martinez@Colorado.EDU. Applications will be considered year-round.
  • Max Kade Scholarship: For students studying in Germany or Austria. Available for summer and full-year students only. Award is $1,200. Apply via the Buffs Abroad Scholarship application.
  • Scandinavia Scholarships: A series of scholarships for study in various Scandinavian countries.
 
 
 
Photo, Germany by Kate Hilson