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Scholarships

Education Abroad Scholarship Information

There are numerous scholarships available to students applying to go abroad. Some scholarships are specific to certain locations or certain students, but most students will be eligible for at least 1-2 scholarships, if not more! 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, with some scholarships worth a few thousand dollars and others that are a few hundred (the latter is more common). 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 any scholarships or do not receive as much as you hoped for.

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

  1. Browse through the scholarships on this page.
  2. Find 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, the on "Programs". Once you click on the link for your program look under the "Finances" tab.
  3. Apply directly to scholarships offered by your program provider (CIEE, CAPA, ISA, IES, SIT, DIS, Arcadia, etc.)

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.

Internal Scholarships

To be considered for general Buffs Abroad funding through the Education Abroad office apply to the Buffs Abroad Scholarships.

  • Buffs Abroad Scholarships: For any student applying to a CU Boulder program. Scholarships typically range from $400 - $2,000 depending on your need and the cost of your program.

The Education Abroad office also has specific donor-funded scholarships. To be considered, you must apply through the Buffs Abroad 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. 

  • 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 or math 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. 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 semester 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. For a list of possibilities, please visit: http://www.colorado.edu/finaid/scholarships.html

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

  • Buffs Abroad Scholarships: For any student applying to a CU Boulder program.
  • Fund for Education Abroad Scholarships: Broad eligibility, but deadline once per year in November for the following academic year (so spring students must apply over a year in advance!)
  • 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.
  • Scott’s Cheap Flights Study Abroad Scholarship: $1000 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.
  • West Africa Access Scholarships: Extra scholarship funding is available for students applying to CU Boulder approved programs in West Africa (Cameroon, Ghana, Senegal). To apply, please fill out the Buffs Abroad Scholarships application by the published deadline.