Study Abroad Scholarships

CMU Office of Study Abroad Scholarships

Application deadlines

Did you know that nearly 90% of students who apply for a scholarship through the Office of Study Abroad receive an award?

Office of Study Abroad Scholarship

Students who study abroad for at least two weeks and meet the requirements are eligible for:

• Up to $4,000 for semester or academic year study abroad
• Up to $1,500 for programs eight weeks or longer in summer
• Up to $1000 for summer study abroad programs, including faculty-led programs, that are two to eight weeks in length

Students who complete the OGE Study Abroad Scholarship application will also be considered for the following scholarships:

Applications must be completed and submitted by the deadline above. More information about scholarships and the application process will be provided to you by  your study abroad advisor.

Office of Study Abroad Inclusive Global Learning Scholarship

This scholarship provides financial assistance to underrepresented CMU students to broaden their global learning experiences through study abroad.

• Up to $2,500 for a semester
• Up to $1,500 for eight weeks or longer in summer
• Up to $1,000 for spring break and summer study abroad programs seven weeks or less

Eligibility

• Approved to participate in a study or intern abroad program through Study Abroad.  
• Identify as an underrepresented student in study abroad.
• Have no previous academic experience outside the United States.
• Complete the Study Abroad Inclusive Global Learning Scholarship Application.
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• Must be a full-time, degree-seeking student at CMU at the time of application.
• Must be a student in good academic standing as stated in the University Bulletin.
• Must demonstrate financial need and have completed the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA).
• Students will be given access to the online scholarship application by Study Abroad.

CMU college and academic department scholarships

Many academic colleges and departments also offer scholarships specifically for their students who are studying abroad. We encourage you to talk to your department, faculty advisors and financial aid advisors about additional scholarship opportunities.

Below is a list of CMU departments and colleges that currently offer study abroad scholarships:

• College of the Arts and Media 
  • Department of Art and Design
  • School Communication, Journalism, and Media
• College of Business Administration

• College of Education and Human Services

• College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences
  • History Scholarships
  • Political Science and Public Administration Scholarships and Funding
  • World Languages and Cultures Scholarships

• College of Science and Engineering

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship 

All students who currently receive a Pell Grant are strongly encouraged to apply. Recipients may be awarded up to $5,000.  Students studying a critical language may be considered for an additional $3,000 Critical Need Languages Supplement Scholarship. Information about eligibility, application deadlines, critical need languages and application instructions is available on the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship website.

Gilman-McCain Scholarship

The Gilman-MCain Scholarship provides awards of $5,000 for child dependents of active duty service members to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs.  Applicants must be recipients of any type of Title IV federal financial aid.  Information about eligibility, application instructions and deadlines is available on the Gilman-McCain Scholarship website.

Gilman Global Partnerships

The Gilman Program has many partners around that world that have allowed for the expansion of scholarship for certain destinations. These partnerships help to support and diversify international students and mobility.  

• Gilman-Taiwan Scholarship 
• Gilman-DAAD Germany Scholarship
• Gilman-France Scholarship
• Gilman-ENZ Scholarship (New Zealand)
• Gilman-FLAD Portugal Scholarship
• Gilman-Global Wales Award

Information about each program, eligibility, application instructions and deadlines is available on the Gilman Global Partners website.

Scholarship by destination country

Bridging Scholarship for Study Abroad in Japan

Open to undergraduate students pursuing any field of study who are studying abroad in Japan. The awards provide $2,500 for students in semester long programs or $4,500 for students in academic year programs. More information about eligibility, application instructions and deadlines is available on the Bridging Scholarship for Study Abroad in Japan website.

British Universities Transatlantic Exchange Association Scholarships

The British Universities Transatlantic Exchange Association (BUTEX) offers scholarships to North American undergraduate students studying at a BUTEX-affiliated university either a semester or for a whole academic year. For more information about eligibility, application instructions, deadlines and BUTEX-affiliated institutions, go here.

Critical Languages Scholarship Program

The Critical Language 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.  More information is available on the Critical Languages Scholarship Program website. 

Freeman-ASIA Scholarship

Freeman-ASIA is designed to support U.S.-based undergraduates with demonstrated financial need who are planning to study overseas in East or Southeast Asia. More information is available on the Freeman-ASIA Scholarship website.

API scholarships

API awards scholarships ranging from $250 -$2,000 to students participating in their programs. More information is available on the API Scholarships website.

CEA CAPA scholarships

CEA CAPA provides numerous scholarships to students participating in their programs. More information is available on the CEA CAPA Scholarships website.

CIEE scholarships

CIEE awards scholarships and grants to students participating in their programs. More information is available in the CIEE Scholarships website.

IES scholarships

IES awards scholarships to students participating in their programs. More information is available on the IES Scholarships website.

ISA scholarships

ISA provides scholarships to students participating in their programs. More information is available on the ISA Scholarships website.

USAC scholarships

USAC awards scholarships to students participating in their programs.  More information is available on the USAC Scholarships website.

Boren Awards for International Study Undergraduate Scholarship

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. More information is available on the Boren Awards website.

Diversity Abroad Scholarships

DiversityAbroad.com has partnered with several organizations to offer study abroad grants and scholarships for the summer, fall and spring terms. For more information, eligibility and application, visit here.

Fund for Education Abroad

Fund for Education Abroad awards are intended to support students planning to participate in high-quality, rigorous education abroad programs. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled in U.S. universities or colleges who plan to study abroad for at least four weeks. For more information, visit here.

Critical Language Scholarship Spark

CLS Spark is an initiative for undergraduate students to learn foreign languages that are essential to national security and economic prosperity, as well as America's engagement in the world. This scholarships is designed to leverage best practices in online learning. Participants will spend one academic year learning either Arabic, Chinese or Russian through online classes and activities facilitated by native speakers at a host institution abroad.

Boren Fellowships for Graduate International Research and Language Study

Boren Fellowships fund research and language study proposals by U.S. graduate students in world regions critical to U.S. interests.  More information is available on the Boren Awards website.

Recent B.S./B.A. graduates, master's and doctoral candidates, young professionals, and artists may apply for a student Fulbright grant. The applicants plan their own programs of study. More information is available on the Fulbright U.S. Student Program website.

The George J. Mitchell Scholarship Program is a national scholarship program sponsored by the U.S.-Ireland Alliance. More information is available on the George J. Mitchell Scholarship Program website.