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Scholarships
The LeadAbroad team strongly believes that international experiences should be made available to as many qualified students as possible. Therefore, we will provide numerous scholarships to students on our programs. In addition, there are a wide variety of scholarships available through national organizations as well as your university.
External Scholarship Database
Click here for a database of external scholarships available to you based on your state of residence!
Be sure to put your home state of residence.
Internal Scholarship Database
You must apply for a LeadAbroad program before you can apply for these scholarships. Here are the steps!
1. Complete your LeadAbroad application and submit your deposit. Click here to get started if you have not yet applied for a program!
2. Review available scholarships, deadlines and qualifications below.
3. Submit the scholarship application here. You will select the specific scholarship you are applying for on this form.
Fall semester deadline: October 15
Spring semester deadline: February 1 (pending scholarship availability – all funds may be claimed from the fall semester deadline)
Available LeadAbroad Scholarships
LEAD Scholarship
Amount: $500
Number of scholarships available: 10
We are seeking to honor LEAD Scholars based on the foundation of our non-profit. Global L.E.A.D Program stands for Leadership, Education, Adventure and Diplomacy. Leadership is the main focus of the curriculum where students discover leadership models to understand their personal leadership style. Education happens both inside and outside the classroom via city tours, guest speakers and service partnerships. Every day on the ground includes adrenaline adventures like shark cage diving, safari, hiking and biking. And finally, students experience hands on diplomacy by creating after school programs for students in the townships of Cape Town and community centers of Athens. Global L.E.A.D program’s story began with a 100-day trip from Kenya to Cape Town, where we learned about ourselves, each other and the world while speaking at leadership conferences in Nairobi, learning from locals in Rwanda, rafting the Nile River in Uganda and serving in the townships of Cape Town, South Africa. We know the power of LEAD and we want students who will embrace and share our vision. We believe this holistic approach to study abroad and life is necessary to achieve success and fulfillment.
Qualifications include: LEAD Scholars are those who believe values, passion and service are not only driving factors of success but the very foundation for life. All students with a 2.5 GPA and significant leadership and service experience are eligible and encouraged to apply.
Vallett Fraternity Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Number of scholarships available: 3
This scholarship is generously provided by past LeadAbroad student Lincoln Vallett. As president of his ATO chapter during his time at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville, Lincoln wanted to continue the LeadAbroad tradition for future fraternity men. Lincoln came to Cape Town with LeadAbroad in 2012 and returned as an intern in 2013.
Qualifications include: The Fraternity Scholarship seeks to honor a current fraternity member who is dedicated to serving his chapter as a leader and strives to see the world. All brothers with a 2.5 GPA are encouraged to apply. In the essay questions on your LeadAbroad application, please reference your leadership and service experience on campus and tell us why you deserve this fraternity award.
Diversity Scholarship
Amount: $1,000
Number of scholarships available: 5
This $1,000 scholarship is generously provided by a past LeadAbroad student’s family for a Black applicant who has a desire to develop their leadership skills and has a passion for service.
Qualifications include: Applicants must demonstrate a passion for service, desire to grow as a leader and to get involved in his/her local community. Any Black student with a 2.5 GPA is encouraged to apply.
External Organization Scholarships
Boren Awards for International Study
Amount: Up to $20,000
Deadline: Each campus sets a campus specific deadline
Number of Recipients: N/A
Description: Boren Scholarships and Fellowships provide unique funding opportunities for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to add an important international and language component to their educations. They focus on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study that are critical to U.S. national security and underrepresented in study abroad. Please refer to the Boren Awards website for more details.
Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen at the time of application. Must have matriculated in an undergraduate degree program located within the United States accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Must be applying to a study abroad program that meets home institution standards in a country outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia or New Zealand.
Requirements: Must be nominated by a Boren campus representative. Must submit the Boren Scholarship application and submit two letters of reference, official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, language self-assessment and one page study abroad program description.
College Scholarships for Minority Students
Amount: Varies – $400 to $7,500
Deadline: Varies depending on the specific scholarship
Number of Recipients: N/A
Description: This website is a great resource for a variety of scholarships available to minority students. Awarding organizations include charitable organizations like the Ronald McDonald House, corporations like Xerox and Southwest Airlines and government agencies like the State of Indiana or the Maryland Higher Commission. Please visit the site for more information on specific scholarships.
Eligibility: The scholarships in this resource are for minority students including African-American students, Hispanic/Latino students, Asian Americans, Native Americans, LGBT students and females.
Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society Study Abroad Grants
Amount: $1,000 grants
Deadline: TBA
Number of Recipients: 50
Description: Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants are designed to help support undergraduates as they seek knowledge and experience in their academic fields by studying abroad. Fifty $1,000 grants are awarded each year. Please refer to the Phi Kappa Phi site for more information.
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
Amount: $5,000
Number of Recipients: 50
Deadline: Spring Semester (see website for specific deadlines)
Number of Recipients: Over 2,300 recipients
Description: The Gilman Scholarship Program offers awards for undergraduate study abroad and was established by the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000. This scholarship provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study abroad programs worldwide. Please refer to the Benjamin A. Gilman website for more details.
Eligibility: The Gilman Scholarship Program is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are planning to study abroad. The program aims to diversify the kinds of students who study abroad and the countries and regions where they go by supporting undergraduates who might otherwise not participate due to financial constraints.
Requirements: See the Gilman International Scholarship Application here
Barry A. Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Program
Amount: Up to $7,500 annually
Deadline: TBD
Number of Recipients: Up to 300
Description: The purpose of the Foundation is to provide a continuing source of highly qualified scientists, mathematicians and engineers by awarding scholarships to college students who intend to pursue careers in these fields. Please refer to the Barry Goldwater website for more details.
Eligibility: College juniors and those who will be college seniors with outstanding potential and intend to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural sciences or engineering.
Requirements: See the Barry A. Goldwater Scholarship application here
Rotary International Ambassador Scholarships
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Set by your local club
Number of Recipients: 700+ each year
Description: The purpose of the Ambassadorial Scholarships program is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries and geographical areas. The program sponsors academic year scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students as well as for qualified professionals pursuing vocational studies. While abroad, scholars serve as goodwill ambassadors to the host country and give presentations about their homelands to Rotary clubs and other groups. Upon returning home, scholars share with Rotarians and others the experiences that led to a greater understanding of their host country.
Eligibility: Persons in the following categories are ineligible: (a) a Rotarian or Honorary Rotarian; (b) an employee of a Rotary club or district, of Rotary International, or of another Rotary-affiliated entity; (c) a spouse, a lineal descendant (child or grandchild by blood or adopted or not adopted), a spouse of a lineal descendant, or an ancestor (parent or grandparent by blood) of any living person in categories (a) or (b); and that Rotarians and their relatives as described above remain ineligible for 36 months after resignation.
Requirements: Must apply for Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships through their local Rotary club. Must submit three essays, recommendation forms and transcripts. Please refer to the Rotary Club website for more details.
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