Scholarships in World Languages

We offer scholarship opportunities in world languages and cultures, including to help with funding for study abroad. You can apply for one or several scholarships. Please follow the instructions on our application form. All of our scholarships have the same deadline each semester. Please read the requirements for each scholarship carefully. Not all scholarships are for study abroad only.

Application Deadlines:

  • For study abroad in the spring semester: October 15
  • For study abroad in the summer or fall: March 1
  • Other deadlines noted within award description

Application Form for All Scholarships

French

    Supported through private gifts, this scholarship was established in 1986 by the Department of World Languages and Cultures in honor of Dr. Edana DuGuay, former professor of Fre​nch, for a student majoring in French for the purpose of studying abroad. The award is given on a competitive basis to a junior or senior of high academic standing.

  • Applicants have declared a French major or minor.
  • Applicants must have at least sophomore standing at CMU.
  • Applicants must have at least two years of college-level French, with at least 6 hours of French at CMU.
  • Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA in French and a 2.75 GPA overall.
  • All applicants must register with the International Affairs/Study Abroad Office.

    • This scholarship was created in 2015 by David and Paulette Groen to support CMU students who study a foreign language through an approved CMU study abroad program for a semester or a year. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and must reside with a host family during the study abroad period.

    This scholarship was established in 2005 by Dr. Eric H. Kadler, former professor of French and department chair. He was born in Czechoslovakia and spoke several languages. With this scholarship, he particularly wanted to support students who are studying more than one world language.

  • Recipient must study in a country where French, German or Spanish is the official language.
  • ​Recipient must have junior or senior standing at CMU and be a French, German or Spanish major while also pursuing a second major or minor in another foreign language.
  • Recipients should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their major and an overall GPA of 2.7 or higher.

    • This scholarship was established in 2006 by John G. Labrie (Class of 1989) in honor of his father Gilles Labrie, professor of World Languages and Cultures at CMU. Income from the endowment will support a renewable scholarship.

  • Recipient must be a full-time CMU sophomore, junior or senior.
  • Recipient must have a signed major in French.
  • Recipient must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.

    • This scholarship was established in 1988 by Jacques E. Perry (Class of 1949) and Helen M. Baer Perry (Class of 1950) for a junior or senior majoring in a world language who has a 3.0 or higher GPA. The applicants must be able to clearly articulate in an essay the role that their world language studies play in their future career.

  • Recipient must be a CMU junior or senior.
  • ​Recipient must be a French, German or Spanish major with an overall and language-specific GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • ​Students cannot receive the scholarship more than once.

    • German

      This scholarship is intended for CMU German majors in their junior or senior year of studies. It is a competitive exchange scholarship allowing for three CMU German majors to study at a German university for a year. This is the only scholarship in the German program that follows a different application process with a different deadline (Nov. 5). Please email program advisor Dr. Daniela Richter for more information.​

      This scholarship was established in 1988 in honor of Charlotte B. Evans, former CMU German professor and department chairperson between 1977 and 1988. The scholarship benefits CMU German majors and minors for study abroad​.

    • Recipient must be a German minor or major.
    • ​Recipient cannot have freshman standing by the time of the study-abroad term.
    • ​Recipient must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher.
    • ​Recipient must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher in German.

      • This scholarship was created in 2015 by David and Paulette Groen to support CMU students who study a foreign language through an approved CMU study abroad program for a semester or a year. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and must reside with a host family during the study abroad period.

      This scholarship was established in 1988 by Jacques E. Perry (Class of 1949) and Helen M. Baer Perry (Class of 1950) for a junior or senior majoring in a world language who has a 3.0 or higher GPA. The applicants must be able to clearly articulate in an essay the role that their world language studies play in their future career.

    • Recipient must be a CMU junior or senior.
    • ​Recipient must be a French, German or Spanish major with an overall and language-specific GPA of 3.0 or higher.
    • ​Students cannot receive the scholarship more than once.

      • This scholarship was established in 2005 by Dr. Eric H. Kadler, former professor of French and department chair. He was born in Czechoslovakia and spoke several languages. With this scholarship, he particularly wanted to support students who are studying more than one world language.

    • Recipient must study in a country where French, German or Spanish is the official language.
    • ​Recipient must have junior or senior standing at CMU and be a French, German or Spanish major while also pursuing a second major or minor in another foreign language.
    • Recipients should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their major and an overall GPA of 2.7 or higher.

      • Japanese

        Mr. Wasaburo Fujimiya is a 1966 CMU alum and the representative director of Hugle Electronics Inc. in Japan and Korea. Mr. Fujimiya wishes to support CMU students pursuing their education overseas and international students studying at CMU.​ This award is given annually to a student who chooses to study in one of CMU's Japanese or East Asian exchange partner program universities and/or students from one of these exchange program universities studying at CMU.

      • Undergraduate or graduate student with a 3.0 GPA or higher
      • Approved through the Office of Study Abroad
      • Enrolled full-time at the time of the award and during the term of the study abroad
      • Preference given to students with financial need as determined by the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid​
      • Deadlines: October 31 (for spring semester) and March 30 (for summer and fall semesters)

        • Visit Fujimiya Scholarship website

        This scholarship was created in 2015 by David and Paulette Groen to support CMU students who study a foreign language through an approved CMU study abroad program for a semester or a year. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and must reside with a host family during the study abroad period.

        For study in Hikone: $1500/semester; $1800/summer

        Scholarship awarded to students pursuing South or East Asia studies. Visit the religion program's scholarship website for more information.

      • Seniors: must be admitted to a graduate program in South or East Asia studies.
      • Undergraduates: must be pursuing work in South or East Asia studies through a study-abroad program.
      • Preference is given to those engaged in the study of culture and to those with better academic records.
      • Deadline: April

        • Spanish

          This scholarship was established in 1988 in honor of Elizabeth Etnire, former CMU Spanish professor, advisor and department chairperson. Recipients will be study-abroad Spanish majors and minors with a preference going to those student who express interest in teaching.

          This scholarship was created in 2015 by David and Paulette Groen to support CMU students who study a foreign language through an approved CMU study abroad program for a semester or a year. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and must reside with a host family during the study abroad period.

          This scholarship was established in 1988 by Jacques E. Perry (Class of 1949) and Helen M. Baer Perry (Class of 1950) for a junior or senior majoring in a world language who has a 3.0 or higher GPA. The applicants must be able to clearly articulate in an essay the role that their world language studies play in their future career.

        • Recipient must be a CMU junior or senior.
        • Recipient must be a French, German or Spanish major with an overall and language-specific GPA of 3.0 or higher.
        • ​Students cannot receive the scholarship more than once.

          • This scholarship was established in 2005 by Dr. Eric H. Kadler, former professor of French and department chair. He was born in Czechoslovakia and spoke several languages. With this scholarship, he particularly wanted to support students who are studying more than one world language.

        • Recipient must study in a country where French, German or Spanish is the official language.
        • ​Recipient must have junior or senior standing at CMU and be a French, German or Spanish major while also pursuing a second major or minor in another foreign language.
        • Recipients should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 in their major and an overall GPA of 2.7 or higher.

          • This scholarship was established in 1993 for students studying in Spain or Latin America. Recipients must have a signed major or minor in Spanish and maintain at least a 3.0 GPA in Spanish classes.

          This scholarship was established by CMU alumna Esther Moreno-Kulhavi in honor of her parents. It is awarded to Spanish majors who have an overall 2.5 GPA for study in Latin America (awarded as funding is available).

          International scholarships

            All students who currently receive a Pell Grant are strongly encouraged to apply. Selected by competition, recipients are awarded up to $5,000 to relieve the costs associated with studying abroad with the option to receive an additional $3,000 Critical Need Languages Supplement from the Gilman Program.

            Gilman International Scholarship Program website

            Boren Scholarships are funded by the National Security Education Program and are designed to provide American undergraduates with the resources and encouragement they need to acquire skills and experiences in countries and areas of the world critical to the future security of the United States. All recipients of the Boren Scholarship must enter into an agreement to work in a national security position with the federal government after graduation.

            Boren Awards website

            The Critical Languages Scholarship (CLS) Program is an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for American students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. The program includes intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences designed to promote rapid language gains. CLS is part of a wider government initiative to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering foreign languages that are critical to national security and economic prosperity. CLS plays an important role in preparing students for the 21st century's globalized workforce and increasing national competitiveness. The CLS Program is a program of the U.S. State Department.

            Critical Languages Scholarship Program website