External Funding for Study Abroad

Below are opportunities for external funding. Opportunities and suggestions are categorized by: scholarship directories and databases, individual scholarships, general financial aid and scholarship information, and study abroad loan information.

Scholarship Directories and Databases

Scholarships.com
Extensive database of scholarships for undergrads, graduate students, and professionals

International Education Financial Aid (IEFA)
Provides searches for scholarships for study abroad.

FastWeb
Provides free customized scholarship search after user fills out profile. E-mail updates of scholarships based on the profile are provided. See articles about financial aid.

FinAid!
Provides scholarship searches and extensive information about financial aid.

Reference Service Press
RSP publishes of some of the best hard-copy directories of scholarships for overseas opportunities, which include grants for all levels of students as well as for post-doctorates and professionals.

University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Center
External Scholarships Database. Excellent, free online database of scholarships. Search categories include study, research and internships as well as location and other variables.

U.S. Department of Education: Student Aid on the Web
The federal government's official guides to financial aid. Including overseas universities and U.S.universities that have registered for eligibility for financial aid. Also, refer to the FTC's web site on Scholarship Scams.

U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Official information about Fulbright programs for study, research, and teaching abroad. For further scholarship listings see the Office of Academic Exchange Programs.

Individual Scholarships

Association of Teachers of Japanese
Professional association offers resources for studying Japan and its culture including undergraduate scholarships, Bridging Scholarships for Study Abroad in Japan.

DAAD Scholarships
The German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) offers awards to highly qualified undergraduate students, graduating seniors, and graduate students for study abroad, university language or summer courses, senior thesis research, and/or internships in Germany.

Freeman Scholarships
Offers scholarships for undergraduates with financial need to study in Asia. Apply online.

Fulbright Scholarships
There are several different Fulbright scholarship programs, all of which are described on the IIE's site.

Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) Scholarships
Provides scholarships for for-credit study and internship abroad programs that are at least four weeks in duration. US citizens, permanent residents and DACA recipients are eligible to apply. Scholarships are awarded with preference for students underrepresented in education abroad and those with demonstrated financial need.

Gilman Scholarships
Provides assistance for undergraduates with financial need to use for study abroad. Apply online.

National Security Education Program (NSEP)
The National Security Education Program (NSEP) provides merit-based scholarship support for undergraduate and graduate study in non-traditional regions, as well as institutional grants. Note that NSEP grants incur a U.S. government service obligation after college graduation for a period of one year. See also NSEP's Guide to Study Abroad and Global Careers in Non-traditional Destinations.

Minority Health and Health Disparities International Research Training Grant (MHIRT)
National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities. The program sends minority undergraduates and medical students abroad to do health-related research. U-M students should see the UM MHIRT information here.

Global Grants
Provides the largest single U.S. scholarship program for study abroad. Application possible only through local Rotary Clubs. Locally-determined deadlines may be as much as one and one-half years in advance. Website provides scholarship information and lists Rotary Clubs worldwide.

Woodrow Wilson International Fellowship Foundation
Information on multi-year scholarship programs for students (especially minorities) interested in international careers.

General Financial Aid and Scholarship Information

Basic Facts for Students Regarding Financial Aid for Study Abroad (NAFSA) Knowledge Community for Education Abroad: Advising
Provides overview of how to use financial aid and scholarships for study abroad with links to web sites for more information.

NASFAA (National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators)
Professional association's web site provides information on financial aid. Students should also consult with financial aid advisors at their own institution

Study Abroad Loan Information

International Student Loan Center
Student loans for students worldwide, including U.S. students abroad and international students in the U.S. Affiliated with Edvisors.