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, from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. Scholarship amounts depend on your personal financial need and the cost of your program.
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. 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.
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.
- Browse through the scholarships on this page.
- 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.
- 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
To be considered for general funding through the Education Abroad office apply to either of these:
- 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.
- 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. 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. Please indicate your eligibility for Buffs in D.C. within your CU in D.C. Scholarships application.
- Global Intensive Scholarships: For any student applying to a CU Global Intensive. Awards range from $500 - $1,200.
- Global Seminar Scholarships: For any student applying to a CU Global Seminar. Many awards to consider.
For students going abroad, there are also 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.
- 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!
- Anthropology majors with junior standing by the start of their education abroad program: Eaton Travel Sabbatical Scholarship
- Biochemistry or Chemical Engineering majors: IIE Whitaker Int’l Scholarship Program for those planning for a career in Biomedical fields
- The Asia Institute International Business Scholarships. Award amounts are smaller and the deadline occurs once per year in early spring: The Asia Institute Scholarships
- Economics majors with junior standing by the start of their education abroad program: Eaton Travel Sabbatical Scholarship
- Engineering majors: students going on an approved credit-bearing summer program can use the Buffs Abroad Scholarship application to be considered for the Engineers' Global Summer Scholarship. Click the link for a list of eligible programs and further information.
- The Asia Institute International Engineering Scholarships. Award amounts are smaller and the deadline occurs once per year in early spring: The Asia Institute Scholarships
- Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowship (FLAS): These fellowships are available for CU Boulder undergraduates who can demonstrate financial need for intensive summer Asian language study through the Center for Asian Studies. Restrictions apply; see information on the CAS website for details. Deadline is February 15 annually.
- French majors: The Ayer Romance Language Scholarship - for students who are declared French majors with an overall GPA of 3.0.
- German majors: The Leonhard E. Baak Scholarship is for German majors.
- History majors with junior standing by the start of their education abroad program: Eaton Travel Sabbatical Scholarship
- IAFS majors: Global Grants
- Italian majors: The Ayer Romance Language Scholarship - for students who are declared Italian majors with an overall GPA of 3.0.
- Italian: Dante Alighieri Denver scholarship
- Jewish Studies program (for graduate students): Goldberger Scholarship is granted annually to up to two graduate students in the Jewish Studies program with plans to go abroad or do a cultural immersion program. Summer and semester-length programs are eligible./li>
- Jewish Studies program (for undergraduate students): The Jewish Studies Global Initiatives provides scholarship assistance to support students' interest in studying abroad in areas related to Jewish Studies. Those who have submitted an application for the Buffs Abroad Scholarship will be automatically considered for these awards. In your Buffs Abroad Scholarship application you should specifically mention your plans to pursue Jewish Studies while on your program and a list of sample courses you may take.
- Music majors: CU College of Music education abroad scholarships - if you submit a Buffs Abroad scholarship application, you will automatically be considered.
- Music: Frank Huntington Beebe Fund for Musicians
- Music and Arts: Dante Alighieri Society Academic Scholarship and Music Scholarship are awarded to front range area students. Applications are accepted in early spring for the following year’s terms.
- Various majors: STA Scholarships
- Sciences, math, engineering or technology fields: The Fund for Education Abroad
(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 Steve Rose 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 Steve Rose 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.
- Archaeological Institute of America Minority Scholarship Program: To further an undergraduate's preparation for graduate work in classics or classical archaeology.
- beGirl.world Global Scholars: beGirl.world Global Scholars will award two (2) $2,000 scholarships to Black female identifying college students who have been accepted to a study abroad program.
- CIEE’s Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship: A full-scholarship sponsored by CIEE, including airfare, to study in Ireland for three weeks in summer 2023. All eligible applicants not selected for the Fellowship will be awarded a $1,500 scholarship from CIEE for any of CIEE’s approved summer programs. And, all applicants not selected will be awarded $1,500 from the CU Education Abroad office to use on any CU Boulder program! Apply by February 14, 2023.
- DiversityAbroad.com Scholarships: Students of diverse and underrepresented backgrounds encouraged to apply.
- Fulbright UK summer institute: A full scholarship Fulbright UK Summer Institutes are three to four week programmes for US undergraduate students, who have no or very little travel experience outside North America. Participants can explore the culture, heritage and history of the UK while experiencing higher education at a UK university.
- Gilman Scholarship: For students currently receiving Pell grants as part of their federal financial aid.
- Gilman McCain Scholarship: For dependents of Active Duty service members - other criteria apply.
- 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.
- GoAbroad.com scholarships page for LGBT Students: A summary of various scholarships available for study abroad and higher education.
- Hispanic Scholarships Fund: Various scholarships available.
- Leverage EDU: LGBTQ Scholarships Around the World
- Pride Foundation: Offer a diversity of scholarships, which encourage students of different backgrounds and educational interests to apply.
- Rainbow SIG Scholarship: The Rainbow Scholarship awards deserving lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) students who aim to participate in high-quality, rigorous education abroad programs.
- Scholarships for Students of Color, Michigan State University: A comprehensive list of scholarships available to students of color considering education abroad.
- Scholarships for LGBTQ+ Students: scroll down on webpage to scholarship section
- Study.com: Use either of these links to apply for the Scholarship for Black Students or the Scholarship for Black Women.
- Boulder Rotary Scholarships: For graduates of Boulder County high schools.
- Cassandra Anderson Pyle Scholarship: For CU Boulder students majoring in the humanities or social sciences who go abroad on a CU Boulder approved program for a full year.
- Golden Key Study Abroad Scholarships: Broad eligibility, but must be Golden Key member. See website for details.
- National Society of Collegiate Scholars Scholarships: For NSCS members.
- AllAbroad.us Scholarship Listing: Includes scholarship information for under-represented students in education abroad.
- University of Minnesota Scholarship & Grant search: A good, general database maintained by UMN
- European Scholarship Portal: Information about scholarships for going abroad in Europe