Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid and Scholarships

A number of financial aid sources exist to assist students in managing the costs of education abroad. Below is a list of some of those, as well as other funding ideas and search resources. Please keep in mind that information is subject to change without notice, and information published by the aid sponsor will supersede the information below.

Eligibility
Budgeting and Reasonable Expenses
Grants
Loans
VA Education Benefits
CWU Scholarships
Dionysia and James Pappas Study Abroad Scholarship
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program

John McCain International Scholarship for the Children of Military Families (Gilman-McCain Scholarship)
Freeman Awards for Study in Asia (Freeman-ASIA)
National Security Education Program/Boren Awards for International Study
Other Outside Scholarships
Third-Party Provider Scholarships
Online Scholarship Databases
529 College Savings Plan (Parents/Guardians)
Crowd-Source Funding
More Resources
Funded International Degree and Research Programs

Eligibility

Eligibility requirements and applicability to education abroad vary according to the aid source. Generally speaking, financial aid obtained through Central Washington University will apply to the costs of education abroad, with the exception of Work Study and any aid awards processed as tuition waiver. Students should always have a current Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file and consult with CWU’s Financial Aid Office (FAO) and Scholarship Office to determine eligibility for and the applicability of federal, state and campus-based aid.

Even if students have never received federal or state financial aid grants or loans prior, they are strongly encouraged to consult with the FAO and file a FAFSA. The costs of education abroad may change students’ need or eligibility status.

For scholarship eligibility requirements, students should consult the scholarship provider or, if available, the designated campus contact directly.

Budgeting and Reasonable Expenses

In determining award amounts, some aid types will factor in “reasonable expenses” of the student’s chosen program. These include tuition and related fees, housing and meals, books, supplies, and transportation.

As part of the application and acceptance process, Study Abroad & Exchange Programs (SAEP) will create a document called a Certificate of Participation (COP), which will include a budget of estimated expenses based on information from the sponsor of the student’s program and is a prerequisite to using financial aid for education abroad. Students participating in a program through a non-affiliated partner, must supply SAEP with the necessary information. Once complete, SAEP will send an electronic copy of the COP to both the student and FAO.

Grants

For the most up-to-date information on grants, please consult the Financial Aid Office.

Federal Pell Grant

Available almost exclusively to undergraduates and all eligible students will receive the award amount for which they qualify based on financial need. Estimated annual awards vary and these grants are prorated based on the number of enrolled credit hours.

Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)

Only awarded to students who meet the strict need guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Education, and submit the FAFSA by March 15. Students must be Pell-eligible to receive this grant.

Washington State Need Grant (SNG)

The State Need Grant (SNG) program helps the state’s lowest-income undergraduate students pursue degrees. Limited to a total of 15 quarters or 225 attempted credits, whichever comes first. Must meet priority deadline. Subject to change depending on state funding.

Passport to College

A scholarship program that encourages foster youth to prepare for and succeed in college.

College Bound Scholarship

The College Bound program was created to assist low-income youth and raise educational attainment in Washington.

Loans

For the most up-to-date information on loans, please consult the Financial Aid Office.

Federal Direct Subsidized Loan

Awarded based on need as determined from information on the FAFSA. The U.S. Department of Education pays interest while the borrower is in school and during any grace and deferment periods. The student must be at least a half-time student and have financial need. The annual loan limit varies based on class standing.

Perkins Loan

The Perkins Loan is another need-based loan program. Students must have filed their FAFSA by March 15 to be considered for this program.

Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan

Non need-based loan. Students must complete the FAFSA to be eligible for this loan program. This loan is given in lieu of, or in combination with, Direct Subsidized Loans. Terms are the same as the Stafford Subsidized Loan, except the borrower is responsible for the interest from the date of disbursement.

Federal Direct Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS)

Non need-based loan. The applicant is the student's parent, who is responsible to begin repayment almost immediately upon disbursement. If a parent is denied for this loan, the student may be eligible for a Stafford Unsubsidized Loan. To receive the PLUS loan, no FAFSA is required; contact the FAO for an application.

Alternative Loans

Non need-based loan. These are private loans that are generally in the name of the student; a FAFSA is not generally required for these loans. Often the student is the borrower, and may need to have a creditworthy co-borrower. Interest rates, repayment plans, and deferment options vary widely among lenders. Be sure to "shop" for the option that is right for your situation since these are loans that are designed to bridge the funding gap when savings, scholarships, grants, federal loans, and other resources are not sufficient.

VA Education Benefits

Eligible veterans are often able to apply VA Education Benefits to at least a portion of the costs associated with education abroad. Typically, this is limited to those costs associated with tuition. For specific details, limits, and requirements, students should contact the CWU Veterans Center.

CWU Scholarships

The CWU Scholarship Office maintains a searchable database of CWU-sponsored scholarships for a variety of purposes. Some CWU scholarships are available specifically for education abroad, and others are more general. Students are encouraged to investigate these options and, just as with the FAFSA, complete the General Scholarship Application (GSA) each year.

Students who receive general CWU scholarships—those that are not education abroad-specific—may also be able to use those scholarships toward education abroad program costs. However, it may depend on the terms of the scholarship and how they are structured. Some scholarships are structured as tuition waivers, and these may not be used for education abroad programs.

Students who are interested in and/or receive CWU scholarships should consult the Scholarship Office for specific eligibility details and application procedures.

Dionysia and James Pappas Study Abroad Scholarship

The CWU Foundation and the Office of International Studies and Programs have received a generous gift to honor Dionysia and James Pappas, both active members in the Central Washington University and Ellensburg Communities. The purpose of their scholarship is to enhance study abroad opportunities for CWU students.

Awards Available

1 award for long-term programs (e.g., CWU exchange programs and third-party sponsored education programs)
2 awards for short-term programs (e.g., CWU faculty-directed programs, summer programs, and internships)

Award Amounts

$1,000 to $1,200 for long-term programs
$400 to $500 for short-term programs

Application Deadlines

May 1

All quarter, semester, and yearlong programs, such as CWU exchange programs and third-party sponsored education abroad programs
All short-term summer programs, such as CWU faculty-directed programs, internships, and service-learning/volunteer programs

November 1

All short-term winter and spring programs, such as CWU faculty-directed programs, internships, and service-learning/volunteer programs

Eligibility Criteria

Applicant must have an approved CWU Education Abroad Application by the appropriate scholarship deadline
Applicant must have a minimum 2.5 GPA; preference will be given for students with 3.0 GPA or higher
Applicant must be a matriculated sophomore, junior, or senior at CWU; for seniors, education abroad programs should be completed one or two quarters before graduation
Applicant must submit a statement for the planned education abroad program that explains 1.) how it will benefit your future studies and career, and 2.) how will you share your education abroad experience with the CWU community when you return to campus. NB: Students are required to share their education abroad experience when they return to campus as arranged through Study Abroad and Exchange Programs.

How to Apply

Go to the online application portal, called Horizons, at cwu.edu/EA/Apply. Application instructions can be found here.
Search for keyword: “Pappas”
Complete the online application.
Incomplete or late applications will not be considered

CWU History Department Study Abroad Scholarship

Awards Available: 2
Award Amount: $500

Application Deadlines:
All Terms: March 1

Eligibility Criteria:

Undergraduate history major or History Department graduate student

Application Requirements and Procedures: See CWU Scholarship Office.

Outside Scholarships

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program

Sponsored by the United States Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the prestigious and competitive Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program “enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad” and “gain proficiency in diverse languages and cultures, skills that are critically important to their academic and career development” and to “our national security and economic prosperity”.

Award Amounts:

Award: $5,000
Award with Critical Need Language Award (see below): $8,000

Eligibility Criteria:

U.S. citizen
Undergraduate
Good academic standing (no minimum GPA)
Pell Grant recipient during the time of application or able to prove receipt during program term
Applying to or accepted into a study abroad or internship program eligible for credit at CWU
Program destination subject to no more than a Level 1 or Level 2 Travel Advisory
Have not previously received the Gilman Scholarship

Additionally, the Gilman Scholarship Program also seeks to support students in demographic groups historically underrepresented in education abroad, such as “first-generation college students, students in STEM fields, racial and ethnic minority students, students with disabilities, students attending minority-serving institutions and community colleges, and students from U.S. states with lower study abroad participation”. These factors are taken into consideration when evaluating applications, as are veteran status and lack of previous credit-bearing education abroad.

Application Deadlines:

First Tuesday of March: Programs beginning the subsequent May 1 through April 30 of the next calendar year.
First Tuesday of October: Programs beginning the subsequent December 1 through October 31 of the next calendar year.

Critical Need Languages include [bold are taught at CWU]:

Arabic (all dialects)
Bahasa Indonesia
Chinese (all dialects)
Indic (Hindi, Urdu, Nepali, Sinhala, Bengali, Punjabi, Marathi, Gujarati, Sindhi)
Japanese
Korean
Persian (Farsi, Dari, Kurdish, Pashto, Tajiki)
Portuguese
Russian
Swahili
Turkic (Azerbaijani, Kazakh, Kyrgyz, Turkish, Turkmen, Uzbek)

Resources:

Video tutorials and guides may be found here.

CWU Contacts:

SAEP: Steven Cook, steven.cook@cwu.edu

Financial Aid: Maribel Castellanos, financialaid@cwu.edu

Students should consult with an SAEP advisor prior to beginning the Gilman application.

John McCain International Scholarship for the Children of Military Families (Gilman-McCain Scholarship)

The U.S. Department of State’s Gilman-McCain Scholarship provides awards of $5,000 for undergraduate child dependents of active duty service members to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs and is open to eligible students enrolled at accredited U.S. colleges and universities who receive any type of Title IV federal financial aid. The Gilman-McCain Scholarship utilizes the same application system as the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, and students meeting both sets of eligibility criteria may apply for both with a single application. However, students may only receive one, likely the standard Gilman Scholarship.

Eligibility:

US citizen;
Undergraduate
In good academic standing (no minimum GPA)
Dependent child of an active duty military member [Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard, including activated (currently on active duty) Reserve Forces, Air National Guard and Army National Guard] during the time of application
Recipient of any type of Title IV federal financial aid during the time of application or provide proof of receipt during their program
Applying to or accepted into a study abroad or internship program eligible for credit at CWU
Program duration of a minimum of three (3) weeks, excluding travel days and regardless of number of countries visited
Program destination subject to no more than a Level 1 or Level 2 Travel Advisory

Application Deadlines:

First Tuesday of March: Programs beginning the subsequent May 1 through April 30 of the next calendar year.
First Tuesday of October: Programs beginning the subsequent December 1 through October 31 of the next calendar year.

Resources:

Video tutorials and guides may be found here.

CWU Contacts:

SAEP: Steven Cook, steven.cook@cwu.edu

Financial Aid: Maribel Castellanos, financialaid@cwu.edu

Students should consult with an SAEP advisor prior to beginning the Gilman application.

Freeman Awards for Study in Asia (Freeman-ASIA)

Funded by the Freeman Foundation and administered by the Institute of International Education, the Freeman-ASIA program is “designed to support U.S.-based undergraduates with demonstrated financial need who are planning to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia” with the stated goal “increase the number of U.S. citizens and permanent residents with first-hand exposure to and understanding of Asia and its peoples and cultures.”

Award Amounts:

Summer (min. 8 weeks): up to $3,000
Quarter/Semester (min. 10 & 12 weeks, respectively): up to $5,000
Academic Year/Calendar Year: up to $7,000

Application Windows:

Freeman-ASIA has one application cycle per year for all academic terms in the subsequent twelve (12) months. The application generally opens in mid-February and closes in early April.

Summer: Programs starting between May 1 and August 1 subsequent to deadline
Fall/Academic Year: Programs starting between July 15 and October 15 subsequent to deadline
Winter/Spring/Calendar Year: Programs starting between subsequent December 15 and April 15 subsequent to deadline

Eligibility Criteria:

US citizen or permanent resident at the time of application
Currently receives need-based financial aid or demonstrate a verifiable need for financial assistance to participate in the proposed study abroad program. Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) figure, calculated through FAFSA, will be required.
Undergraduate pursuing first associate’s or bachelor’s degree at a US two- or four-year institution of higher education
Minimum 2.8 GPA
Must not be a previous Freeman-ASIA recipient
Must have at least one term of enrollment remaining at home institution upon return
Must have applied to or be accepted into a credit-bearing program in an eligible country (see list below)
- Multi-country programs are eligible provided a minimum of 8 weeks take place in one of the above and intensive language study is included during that phase.
Must have little or no previous experience in the destination country.
- Summer applicant: no more than 4 weeks in proposed country within last 5 years.
- Quarter/Semester/Academic Year/Calendar Year: no more than 6 weeks in proposed country within last 5 years.
Must complete Student Impact Survey and service project upon return
Must submit Final Service Report on service project at the end of the term following return to the United States

Eligible Destinations:

Cambodia
China
Hong Kong
Indonesia
Japan
Korea
Laos
Macao
Malaysia
Mongolia
Philippines
Singapore
Taiwan
Thailand
Vietnam

CWU Contacts:

SAEP (Exchanges): Steven Cook, steven.cook@cwu.edu

SAEP (Other Programs): Matthew Zielsdorf, matthew.zielsdorf@cwu.edu

Financial Aid: Maribel Castellanos, financialaid@cwu.edu

Students should consult with an SAEP advisor prior to completing the Freeman application.

National Security Education Program/Boren Awards for International Study

Comprising the undergraduate Boren Scholarships and the graduate Boren Fellowships, the Boren Awards for International Study offer significant grants to undergraduate and graduate students studying in destinations that are less common and deemed critical to U.S. interests, with preference given to certain emphasized countries. Language study is a mandatory component of a Boren-funded program, with preference given to less-commonly taught languages. Boren Scholars and Fellows must present in their applications an argument for how their study and program abroad fit within a broadly defined umbrella of national security and also are subject to a government service requirement after graduation.

Boren Scholarships

Award Amounts (Maximum):

Summer: $8,000 (STEM students only; minimum 8 weeks)
Semester (min. 12 weeks): $10,000
Full Academic Year: $20,000

Application Window:

Mid-August to early February: All programs starting subsequent June 1 through following March 1

Eligibility:

U.S. citizen at the time of application
A high school graduate, or have earned a GED
Matriculated for the duration of their Boren Awards-funded program in an undergraduate degree program located within the United States accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- Students in given fields of study will be given preference. A list of preferred fields is below.
Applying to a study abroad program that meets home institution standards in Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. A list of preferred countries is included below.
- Certain countries [marked with an asterisk (*) below] are destinations not to be approved for Boren Awards travel at present, though this may change in the future. Applicants to these countries must include a viable alternate program in another, unrestricted country appropriate for immersive study of the same language.
- In very few cases, Boren Awards may be granted to applicants studying in non-preferred countries. Applicants seeking such awards must make an especially strong argument for the value of their language and country of study to U.S. national security and public service in their application essays.
- Study in a country subject to a Level 3 Travel Advisory permissible only with waiver signed by student and home institution
- Western Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are always ineligible.
Planning to study in a country of which they are not a citizen
Applying to a program featuring language study as a core element, with preference given to less commonly taught languages (see list below).
- Languages should be studied in a preferred country where they are spoken by a significant portion of the population.
- In very few cases, Boren Awards may be granted to applicants studying non-preferred languages indigenous to preferred countries. Applicants seeking such awards must make an especially strong argument for the value of their language study to U.S. national security and public service in their application essays.
ROTC, Reserves & National Guard: In inactive, non-drilling status for the duration of their Boren Awards-funded program

Boren Fellowships

Award Amounts (Maximum):

12-24 Weeks: $12,000
25-36 Weeks: $20,000
37-52 Weeks: $24,000

Award for Optional Supplemental Domestic Language Study (Maximum): $12,000

Award for Combined International & Domestic Program (Maximum): $30,000

Application Window:

Mid-August to Late January: All programs starting subsequent June 1 through following March 1

Eligibility:

U.S. citizen at the time of application
Either matriculated in or applying to a graduate degree program at a U.S. college or university located within the United States and accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- Fellows must be matriculated in their degree program by the start date of their fellowship and may not graduate before completion of the fellowship.
- Eligible degrees: Master’s (incl. MA, MS, MBA, LLM, etc.); Juris Doctor (JD); Doctorate (incl. PhD, MD, etc.)
- Students in given fields of study will be given preference. A list of preferred fields is below.
Applying to a study abroad program that meets home institution standards in Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. A list of preferred countries is included below.
- Certain countries [marked with an asterisk (*) below] are destinations not to be approved for Boren Awards travel at present, though this may change in the future. Applicants to these countries must include a viable alternate program in another, unrestricted country appropriate for immersive study of the same language.
- In very few cases, Boren Awards may be granted to applicants studying in non-preferred countries. Applicants seeking such awards must make an especially strong argument for the value of their language and country of study to U.S. national security and public service in their application essays.
- Study in a country subject to a Level 3 Travel Advisory permissible only with waiver signed by student and home institution
- Western Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are always ineligible.
Planning to study in a country of which they are not a citizen
Planned program includes significant language study. This may be the sole focus of the program or included with any combination of research, classroom study or academic internship.
- Internships may not be remunerated nor conducted with the US or a foreign government.
- Fellows are barred from working as a journalist in any capacity while abroad, including freelance and unpaid work.

Preferred Fields of Study:

Agricultural & Food Sciences
Anthropology
Archaeology
Area Studies
Astronomy
Biology
Business
Chemistry
Computer & Information Sciences
Criminal Justice
Cybersecurity
Economics
Engineering
Environmental Studies
Geography
Geology
History
International Affairs
International Development
Languages
Law
Linguistics
Mathematics
Medical Sciences
Military Science
Nursing
Physics
Political Science
Psychology
Public Administration
Public Health
Social Sciences
Social Work
Sociology

Preferred Countries:

Albania
Algeria*
Angola
Argentina
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh*
Belarus
Benin
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Brazil
Bulgaria
Cambodia
Cape Verde
Chile
China
Colombia
Congo, Democratic Republic of the*
Congo, Republic of the
Cote d'Ivoire
Croatia
Cuba*
Czech Republic
Egypt*
El Salvador
Eritrea*
Estonia
Ethiopia
Georgia
Ghana
Guatemala
Haiti
Honduras*
Hungary
India
Indonesia
Israel
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya*
Korea, South
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Latvia
Lebanon*
Liberia
Macedonia
Malaysia
Mali*
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Nepal
Nicaragua
Nigeria*
Oman
Pakistan*
Panama
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Qatar
Romania
Russia*
Rwanda
Saudi Arabia*
Senegal
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
Sri Lanka
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Tanzania
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Tunisia*
Turkey*
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
Uzbekistan
Venezuela*
Vietnam

Preferred Languages [bold are taught at CWU]**:

African Languages†
Akan/Twi
Albanian
Amharic
Arabic
Armenian
Azerbaijani
Bambara
Belarusian
Bengali
Bosnian
Bulgarian
Cantonese
Croatian
Czech
Gan
Georgian
Haitian
Hausa
Hebrew
Hindi
Hungarian
Indonesian
Japanese
Javanese
Kanarese
Kazakh
Khmer (Cambodian)
Korean
Kurdish
Kyrgyz
Lingala
Macedonian
Malay
Malayalam
Mandarin
Moldovan
Nepali
Pashto
Persian
Polish
Portuguese
Punjabi
Romanian
Russian
Serbian
Sinhala
Slovak
Slovenian
Swahili
Tagalog
Tajiki
Tamil
Telugu
Thai
Turkmen
Turkish
Uighur
Ukrainian
Urdu
Uzbek
Vietnamese
Wolof
Yoruba
Zulu

†All languages indigenous to preferred countries in Africa are preferred languages for the Boren Awards

**Special Note on French and Spanish

French is a preferred language only through the African Flagship Languages Initiative (see below), which is appropriate for students at the intermediate-high (ILR 1+ in Speaking) or greater proficiency level in French. For all other applicants, study of French or Spanish is only permissible for advanced speakers (ILR 2 or greater in Speaking) of the language, or at the intermediate level (ILR 1 or greater in Speaking) if enrolled in a STEM field. Such proposals are eligible for funding but will not be considered to meet the Boren Awards language preference. Any award granted for the study of French or Spanish will be made contingent upon verification, through testing, of the student's language level.

Regional Flagship Language Initiatives

The Boren Awards have established several initiatives to encourage and facilitate languages in several particularly important and/or underrepresented regions. These initiatives combine mandatory domestic summer study and fall study abroad. Funding for optional spring study is also available.

Resources:

Video tutorials and guides may be found here.

CWU Boren Campus Representative:

Steven Cook

Associate Director of Education Abroad

Office of International Studies and Programs

steven.cook@cwu.edu

Other Outside Scholarships

Fund for Education Abroad (FEA)

FEA has multiple scholarships available, including a general scholarship and several dedicated scholarships with specific eligibility requirements. The single application deadline is set well in advance of eligible terms, falling in the January prior to the given academic year (May to May).

General Eligibility Requirements:

A U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Currently enrolled as an undergraduate at a U.S. college or university
Receiving college credit at your home institution
Studying abroad for at least 4 weeks in-country (28 days)

Application Deadlines

Spring Programs

Application Cycle Opens: July
Application Deadline: September

Fall, Summer, Academic Year

Application Cycle Opens: November
Application Deadline: January

General Scholarships: Award amounts vary

Access Partner Scholarships: Awards up to $5,000 for semester programs

Access Partners (for students participating on programs hosted by providers in the Access Partner program; see Access Partners Scholarships page for full list of partner institutions)

CAPA The Global Education Network
AIFS Study Abroad
The Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA-Butler)
School for Field Studies
SIT Study Abroad
University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC)

Named & Dedicated Scholarship: Award amounts vary

Calvert Family Scholarship
The Cyril Taylor Memorial Scholarship for Study in the UK
Gugel-McPherson Family Scholarship
Jan Kieling Rainbow Scholarship
- This scholarship will be awarded to deserving LGBTQI students who aims to participate in a high-quality, rigorous education abroad program.
Kacenga-Cladera Family Rainbow Scholarship
- This scholarship will be awarded to deserving LGBTQI students who aim to participate in a high-quality, rigorous education abroad program.
Malú Alvarez Global Access Scholarship
Martha and Jeff Johnson Scholarship
NAFSA Tamara H. Bryant Memorial Scholarship
- FEA will award these funds to African-American undergraduate students in the United States who hope to study abroad, and who also embody Mrs. Bryant’s spirit of resilience and commitment to intercultural exchange.
Rainbow Scholarship
- This scholarship will be awarded to deserving LGBTQI students who aims to participate in a high-quality, rigorous education abroad program.
Simpson Sisters’ Scholarship
Steckley-Weitzel Family Scholarship

American Association of Teachers of Japanese (AATJ) Bridging Scholarships for Study Abroad in Japan

Awards Available: 100
Award Amounts:

Semester: $2,500
Academic Year: $4,000

Application Deadlines:

Fall or Academic Year: April
Spring: October

Eligibility Criteria:

U.S. citizen
Undergraduate enrolled in U.S. college/university
Minimum one (1) semester program duration
No language prerequisite

The Asia Pacific International Education Association

The Asia Pacific International Education Association (APIEA) believes that international programs can broaden students’ perspectives by experiencing an intercultural study environment to adapt to the globalized world. To create opportunities and enable more students to study abroad in Asia Pacific, APIEA offers various scholarship programs, including the Begin Again Asia-Pacific and the APIEA TO YOU scholarships.

Begin Again Asia-Pacific (BAAP)

Award Amount: Varies per Individual
Awards Available per Year: Multiple
Application Cycle: Open

Eligibility Criteria:

Eligibility will be prioritized for international programs that were planned or will be planned to visit the Asia Pacific.
Open to application by faculty-led study abroad, international internship, language study, and semester-long programs.
For requesting scholarship funding, a detailed request for proposal should be submitted to APIEA for review. Upon receipt, a proposal for program will be developed and delivered to your institution.
Request for proposal submission can either be provided by a study abroad administrator or a faculty leader.
The Begin Again Asia Pacific scholarship is prioritizing program based, which means APIEA will not grant the scholarship to individual student. Individual students can apply APIEA TO YOU scholarship if needed.

APIEA TO YOU (APTU)

Award Amount: Varies per Individual
Awards Available per Year: Multiple
Application Cycle: Open

Eligibility Criteria:

Students who are enrolled in a study abroad program will be eligible to apply for the APTU Scholarship.
Eligibility will be prioritized for students who participate in a program to Asia-Pacific.
For requesting the scholarship funding, students are encouraged to send resumes, transcripts and other helpful information go to https://www.apaie.net/contact/.

Japanese Government Scholarships

Since 1954, the Government of Japan has been offering scholarships to foreign nationals from various countries around the world to study in Japan. The Japanese Government offers the following scholarships annually to U.S. citizens living in Washington, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Alaska through the Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle.

Undergraduate Student Scholarship
Four to seven year scholarship is available to high school graduates for attending a Japanese university as an undergraduate student. Includes a one-year Japanese language program at a Japanese language school prior to attending a Japanese university as an undergraduate student. Recipients will receive bachelor’s degree in Japan. Applicants must be between 17 to 21 years of age.

Specialized Training College Student Scholarship
This scholarship covers a three-year period of vocational study program in the following areas: civil engineering, architecture, electrical engineering, electronics, telecommunication, nutrition, infant education, secretarial studies, hotel management, tourism, fashion, dress making, design, photography and other fields of study. Includes a one-year Japanese language program at a Japanese language school prior to attending Professional Training College. Available to high school graduates who are between 17 to 21 years of age.

Japanese Studies Student Scholarship
This program offers students a one-year intensive course of the Japanese language and introduction to Japanese studies. Available to undergraduate students who are currently majoring or minoring in Japan-related studies at a 4-year university. Applicants need to be 18 to 29 years of age.

Research Student Scholarship
Covers a one-and-a-half year to two-year period of graduate research at Japanese universities. The study area must be in the same field as the applicant studied or is now studying, or a related one. Recipients may enter Master's or Ph.D. program after passing the entrance examination given by the university concerned. Includes a half-year of Japanese language training for those who need Japanese language training. Applicants need to be less than 35 years of age and must be university graduates.

MEXT Japanese Government Scholarships

The Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle is pleased to announce that the 2021 MEXT Japanese Government Scholarship Application for the following scholarships are now available:

Research Student Scholarship (Deadline: August 7, 2020)

1.5-2 year period of graduate research at Japanese universities (Start date: Fall 2021 ONLY)

Application Instructions
Application Guidelines and Forms
Eligibility:
- U.S. citizens living in Washington State, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, or Alaska.
- Your date of birth must be on or after April 2, 1986

Undergraduate Student Scholarship (Deadline: July 31, 2020)

4-7 year scholarship available to high school graduates for attending a Japanese university as an undergraduate student (Start date: Spring or Fall 2021)

Application Instructions
Application Guidelines and Forms
Eligibility
- U.S. citizens living in Washington State, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, or Alaska.
- Your date of birth must be on or after April 2, 1996

Specialized Training College Student Scholarship (Deadline: July 31, 2020)

3-year period of vocational study program at a Japanese professional training college (Start date: Spring or Fall 2021)

Application Instructions
Application Guidelines and Forms
Eligibility
- U.S. citizens living in Washington State, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, or Alaska.
- Your date of birth must be on or after April 2, 1996

Benefits

Monthly Stipend (117,000 yen for Specialized Training and Undergraduate or 143,000 yen for Research Student)
Travel Expenses to and from Japan
Exemption of school fees for entrance examination, matriculation, and tuition

Qualified candidates will be contacted and asked to visit the Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle (701 Pike St. #1000, Seattle, WA) for an examination and interview in late August/early September (exact date TBA).

Please note that in some circumstances such as travel restrictions or curfews, there are possibilities that the selection process will be canceled, or applicants will not be able to depart to Japan even after being selected as scholarship students.

Morgan Stanley Scholarships for Study in Japan

Morgan Stanley Scholarships are awarded as supplements to the AATJ Bridging Scholarship, and students must meet that scholarship’s eligibility criteria and follow its application processes. An additional step may be required for students applying for the Morgan Stanley Scholarship.

Awards Available: Two
Award Amounts: $7,500
Application Deadlines: See Bridging Scholarship (above)

Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst/German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)

DAAD offers a number of scholarship and program options for undergraduate and graduate students interested in study, internships, and/or research in Germany.

Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants

Award Amount: $1,000
Awards Available per Year: 50
Application Cycle: Opens in December, closes in March

Eligibility Criteria:

Individual membership not required
Attend an institution with an active Phi Kappa Phi scholarship
Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.75
Applied to and/or accepted into an education abroad program

British Universities Transatlantic Exchange Association (BUTEX) Scholarship

Award Amount: £500
Application Deadline: June

Eligibility Criteria:

Undergraduate
U.S. or Canadian citizen
Studying at a BUTEX-affiliated university
- BUTEX-affiliated CWU partner:
  - The University of Hull
Studying for a minimum of one (1) semester
Summer programs are ineligible

Seattle-Nantes Sister City Association

Seattle-Nantes Sister City Association offers three of scholarships to Washington State residents who plan to study in Washington or in Nantes. There is a limit of one scholarship per person, so please only apply to the scholarship that best represents your qualifications.

Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship

The Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship is awarded biannually to passionate students who want to explore the world. The scholarship may be used for tuition, room and board, books, or travel. Funds will be sent directly to the winner's study abroad program or university.

Eligibility Requirements

To apply for the Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship, you must:
Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or currently studying in the US on a student visa
Be a full-time undergraduate student in good academic standing at a four-year, degree-granting college or university in the U.S.
Have applied to or been accepted into a study abroad program eligible for credit by your college or university

Delta Phi Alpha: Fall / Winter Semester German Study Abroad Scholarship

This study abroad scholarship supports Delta Phi Alpha Members who are planning to study abroad on an academic credit-bearing program in a German-speaking country with a start date in the second half of the calendar year (July-December start date).

While all DPA members are encouraged to apply, committee preference will be given to programs that:

Promote the advanced use of the German language.
Have a duration of six or more weeks
Incorporate the study abroad experience into their major / career goals

Application Requirements

Applicants will submit their materials via a Google form for Study Abroad Scholarships.

The application has two sections:

The first section contains required information about the applicant.
The second section is where you upload your supporting documents: (A) an essay outlining how this study abroad program fits into your educational and career goals and why it is relevant to your study of German. No more than two pages and written in English; (B) copy of your unofficial transcript; (C) letter of acceptance of enrollment in a study abroad program in the German-Speaking world
Recommendations: Applicants must have two people fill out the recommendation form, one of the recommenders must be a faculty member at the student’s institution

Toshizo Watanabe Study Abroad Scholarship

The Toshizo Watanabe Endowed Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to undergraduates/graduate students for a semester or year-long study abroad program in either the United States or Japan. The scholarship will support up to the full cost of attendance to the study abroad program of the applicant’s choice. The scholarship program grants awards to recipients in amounts determined by financial need and other qualifications.

Eligibility Requirements

U.S. citizen or permanent resident
Currently in good academic standing at an accredited college or university in the U.S.
Will be enrolled in a credit-bearing course of study at a college, university or approved academic center in Japan in the upcoming academic year
Demonstrates financial need for international study (i.e. Without financial assistance or support, would not be able to study abroad)
(Preferred) Applicants who have been raised by a single parent or who have lost both parents
(Preferred) Applicants without significant international travel or study experience
(Preferred) First in family to attend/graduate from college (i.e. first-generation)
(Priority) The priority for the scholarship is undergraduates who are studying abroad for a year or less. Graduate students and international degree-seeking students may also apply, however the maximum amount of an award is $25,000 for one year.

Joan Nelson Study Abroad Scholarship

This scholarship assists members who are going to participate in a study abroad program. With the global economy in today’s world, Golden Key feels it is crucial for members to have education-based study abroad experiences.

Eligibility Requirements

Full Time or Part Time undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate student who are currently enrolled in a study abroad program.
Must be enrolled in a degree-granting program at time of application deadline, 23 June.
Must be a Golden Key member
Study abroad experience must count towards current academic credits.
Study abroad program cannot have been completed prior to the application deadline date.

Application Requirements

A description of the planned program abroad. Submit no more than 2 pages. This can come directly from the study abroad program.
A 1-page personal statement discussing your rationale for study abroad.
Résumé/CV.
A current and comprehensive academic transcript. Unofficial transcripts will be accepted.
A letter of recommendation from someone in the academic community.

Corinne Jeannine Schillings Foundation

The Foundation awards two types of scholarships to undergraduate women who have attained the Girl Scout Silver or Gold Award: the Academic Scholarship to Study a Foreign Language, and the Travel Scholarship to Study Abroad.

Academic Scholarship to Study a Foreign Language

The Foundation awards Academic Scholarships to undergraduates who have attained the Girl Scout Silver or Gold Award, and who plan to/are currently majoring/minoring in a foreign language at a four-year college/university. The scholarship is $1,500 per academic year and may be renewed 3 times after the initial award, for a total $6,000 maximum award. Scholarship renewal is not automatic, however, and awardees must submit the renewal application and all required attachments each year.

Application Requirements

Complete the application.
Provide proof verifying receipt of the Silver and/or Gold Award.
Submit a letter of recommendation from a Girl Scout volunteer or staff member who is not a relative. The letter of recommendation MUST be written within the past six months, specifically for this scholarship.
Provide a copy of the acceptance letter from the college/university (if not yet attending); or a copy of the current college transcript (if already attending).
Show proof that the cumulative AND foreign language grade point is at least a “B”.
Provide proof that the major/minor will be/is a foreign language.

Travel Scholarship to Study Abroad

The Foundation supports Silver or Gold Award Girl Scouts undergrads who plan to study abroad, regardless of their major/minor. It is not necessary to be an Academic Scholarship recipient to apply; nor are Academic Scholarship recipients excluded from applying. The Scholarship to Study Abroad is $1,000 and IS NOT renewable. Study abroad may occur during first/second/summer semester, or the full academic year.

Application Requirements

Complete the application.
Provide proof verifying receipt of the Silver and/or Gold Award.
Submit a letter of recommendation from a Girl Scout volunteer or staff member who is not a relative. The letter of recommendation MUST be written within the past six months, specifically for this scholarship.
Provide proof of acceptance to study in an accredited “study abroad” program.
Show proof that the cumulative grade point is at least a “B”.

Third-Party Provider Scholarships

Many third-party providers, including those with which CWU has concluded affiliation agreements, offer various scholarships for students participating in their programs.

Academic Programs International (API)

Global Education Oregon (GEO)

IFSA-Butler

International Studies Abroad (ISA)

ISEP

School for Field Studies (SFS)

SIT Study Abroad

The Education Abroad Network (TEAN)

USAC

Online Scholarship Databases

The following websites have searchable databases of scholarships and other funding sources for education abroad programs.

FastWeb.com
GoAbroad.com
International Education Financial Aid (IEFA)
StudyAbroad.com
Diversity Abroad Scholarship & Grant Funding

529 College Savings Plan (Parents/Guardians)

A 529 College Savings Plan allows for tax-free accumulation of assets and federal tax-free withdrawals for qualified higher education expenses, including approved study abroad programs and for over 480 international institutions (should direct-enrollment be considered). For more information, consult a financial advisor and/or the Department of Education's Federal Student Aid Information Center [1-800-4-FEDAID (1-800-433-3243)].

The Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) is Washington State’s 529 Plan. SAEP can work with students and program providers to facilitate the use of these funds.

Crowd-Source Funding

Crowd sourcing very quickly has become a popular way of funding a variety of projects and ideas, and many websites have sprung up to facilitate this. Below is a list of several such websites that students might use to raise funds for education abroad. Always be careful to read the terms and conditions. Some sites may take a flat fee; others may take a percentage of donations. Some sites may be “all-or-nothing”, meaning the project only receives money if the stated goal is met and receives nothing if donations fall short.

More Resources

Top 10 Links for Your Exchange Funding Search
Financing Study Abroad (written for the Czech Republic, but the concepts are the same worldwide)

Funded International Degree and Research Programs

Cecil J. Rhodes Scholarships

The oldest and most celebrated international fellowship awards in the world. Each year, 32 Americans are selected as Rhodes Scholars to study up to two (2) years at and earn a graduate degree from Oxford University in England.

Fulbright U.S. Student Program

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program provides grants for individually designed study/research projects or for English Teaching Assistantships. A candidate will submit a Statement of Grant Purpose defining activities to take place during one (1) academic year in a participating country outside the U.S. Applicants must be U.S. citizens at the time of application and have a conferred bachelor's degree or the equivalent before the start of the grant. In the creative and performing arts, four (4) years of professional training and/or experience meets the basic eligibility requirement. Grant lengths and dates vary by country. Please consult the specific country summary for details.

Fulbright Program Adviser:
TBA

IREX Short-Term Travel Grants Program
The Short-Term Travel Grants Program (STG) supports postdoctoral scholars and professionals to conduct independent or collaborative research in Eastern Europe and Eurasia.

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