Grants and scholarships for study abroad

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Finding free money for foreign language study 101
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Grants for Foreign Language Study | Study Abroad Scholarships
Grants & Fellowships for Graduate & Post-Graduate Foreign Language Study

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Scholarships & grants for study abroad

There are a multitude of scholarships for study abroad. In addition to those listed below for study of various languages abroad or for study of a particular language or in a particular country, there are also many more scholarships attached to particular abroad programs or are awarded to students enrolled at particular universities. Make sure you explore financial aid options specific to whatever study abroad program you choose.

Apart from these opportunities, you should check with the government of the country where you intend to study -- Contact either an embassy or consular office or the country's department of education. Many countries offer financial support to international students to make study in their country a more attractive and feasible option.

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Study abroad scholarships for multiple languages

National Security Education Program / David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholarships: Scholarships to support U.S. undergraduate students participating in study abroad programs in world regions critical to US interests (including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America & the Caribbean, and the Middle East), in exchange for a commitment to seek work in the federal government.. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.
Level: undergraduate / $2500 - $20,000

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program: Provides awards for US undergraduate students who are receiving federal Pell Grant funding at a 2-year or 4-year college or university to participate in study abroad programs worldwide. Based on financial need. Sponsored by the US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Level: undergraduate / Award amount: up to $5000 (plus additional bonus funds available to Gilman Scholarship recipients only)

Bridging Scholarships for Study in Japan: Scholarships for American students participating in study abroad programs in Japan to assist with travel and living expenses. Funding from private foundations and major US corporations has made it possible for ATJ to award 100 scholarships annually. Undergraduate students majoring in any field of study are eligible to apply for these scholarships. Japanese language study is not a prerequisite.
Level: undergrad / Award amount: $2500-$4000

Robert B. Bailey Scholarship: The Robert B. Bailey Scholarship is intended to promote the participation in CIEE's International Study Programs of individuals or members of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented in study abroad, especially ethnic minority students. Applicants are asked to specify the group to which they belong and which they believe to be underrepresented in study abroad. Applications are reviewed based upon the information provided including financial need, academic achievement, the Personal Statement essay, and recommendations. As part of the scholarship essay, students should also explain how membership in that group factored into the decision to choose the program/destination of study. Additionally, the personal statement should address how the applicant plans to integrate the international experience into future academic, community, professional, and extra-curricular activities.
Level: CIEE program participants / Award amount: $500 toward program fees

CIEE International Study Programs (CIEE-ISP) Scholarships: Scholarships each year to students who demonstrate both academic excellence and financial need and who are applicants from an Academic Consortium member institution (list is here). Applications are reviewed based upon the information provided including financial need, academic achievement, the Personal Statement essay, and recommendations.
Level: CIEE program participants / Award amount: $500 - $1000 toward program fees

Department of Education Scholarship for Programs in China: Provides financial assistance to students who are participating in the Chinese language programs offered by the CIEE Centers at Peking University (Beijing), East China Normal University (Shanghai), Nanjing University, and National Chengchi University (Taipei). Based on merit, financial need, and previous language experience.
Level: upperclassman undergrad or graduate / Award amount: $500 - $8000 toward program fee

Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships (ETAs): Selected participants work for one academic year in a school or university in a foreign country in Europe, Asia, or South America, assisting in the teaching of English language and American culture. Participants are integrated into the life of the host country. Program details differ from country to country, but participants receive a stipend, paid round-trip airfare, and other benefits. Applicants must have B.A. at time the award year begins.
Level: B.A. in hand / Award amount: varies

Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships: The Rotary Club offers 3 different types of scholarship: Academic Year Ambassadorial Scholarships for 1 year of study abroad, Multi-Year Ambassadorial Scholarships for 2 years of degree-oriented study abroad, and Cultural Ambassadorial Scholarships for 3 or 6 months of language study and cultural immersion abroad. Applicants must be a citizen of a country that has Rotary Clubs and must have completed at least 2 years of college-level coursework or equivalent professional experience before commencing their scholarship studies.
Level: undergraduate or graduate / Award amount: $13,000 - $25,000

Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Scholarships: The national honor society for foreign language students awards scholarships for undergraduate study in programs abroad to its members.
Level: undergraduate / Award amount: $1000

Golden Key Study Abroad Scholarships: Ten scholarships awarded annually for members of the Golden Key Honor Society for undergraduate study abroad. Awards will be made based on academic merit and relevance of study abroad program to major field of study.
Level: undergraduate / Award amount: $1000

Institute for International Public Policy Fellowships: Applicants must have sophomore status and be enrolled full-time in a 4-year BA program, have a minimum 3.2 GPA, be an underrepresented minority and possess a strong interest in international affairs. The fellowship includes support for participation in junior-year study abroad, sophomore- and junior-year summer policy institutes, summer intensive language study, and internship placement.
Level: undergraduate / Award amount: varies

Fulbright Travel Grants: To pay round trip travel expenses to study abroad programs in Germany, Hungary, Italy in cases where the cost of travel is not covered by the program fees.
Level: all / Award amount: varies

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Study abroad scholarships for specific languages

French

Walter Jensen Scholarship for Study Abroad: Awarded to a future teacher of French to help pay for a semester or a year studying French abroad in an accredited program in any Francophone country. Student must be currently enrolled in an established teacher education program in French and must be sponsored by a member of the American Association of Teachers of French. Awards are based on financial need and can be used to cover tuition, fees, travel, or housing costs.
Level: undergraduate or graduate / Award amount: $1500

The Walter J. Jensen Fellowship For French Language, Literature, and Culture
Awarded by the national honor society Phi Beta Kappa for at least 6 months of study in France. Candidates must be US citizens holding a B.A. who can demonstrate that their career does or will involve the active use of the French language. They must demonstrate superior competence in French.
Level: post-undergraduate / Award amount: $10,000


German

German Academic Exchange Service (for US or Canadian students)
German Academic Exchange Service (for students outside US and Canada)
Offers 9 different types of scholarships, grants, and fellowships for study and research in Germany. There are awards for undergraduate students to post-doctoral scholars in every field imaginable. Ranges from financial support for 3-week courses to full-year financial support for an academic year abroad.
Level: any / Award amount: varies

Congress - Bundestag Youth Exchange Program: Scholarship program that facilitates cultural exchange for American and German young adults in the business, vocational, technical, and agricultural fields. 75 Americans and 100 Germans are selected annually. 12-month program includes support for intensive language instruction, university classes, and a 5-month career-related internship. Funds round-trip airfare, language study and university classes, living stipend.
Level: high school diploma, undergraduate, or graduate / Award amount: varies

Delta Phi Alpha Scholarship Awards: The national honor society for German awards scholarships to undergraduate student members wishing to further their German studies with research and study abroad in a German-speaking country.
Level: undergraduate / Award amount: $1000-$2000

American Austrian Foundation: Offers numerous awards to support exchanges to Austria in the fields of medicine, science, communications and the arts.
Level: varies by award / Award amount: varies

Work Immersion StudyProgram (WISP) : Three-month work and study immersion program that pays for intensive 1-month language course and places students in a 2-month paid internship in a business or technical field related to their career plans.
Level: community college only / Award amount: varies


Japanese

Japanese Studies Scholarships: The Japanese Studies Scholarships are for undergraduate students who wish to pursue Japan-related studies. This program offers students an opportunity to study Japanese
language and culture for one year in Japan. Students must be currently enrolled in Japanese at a university outside of Japan at the time of application. Sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, Science and Technology (Monbukagakusho).
Level: undergraduate / Award amount: 139,200 yen/mo. + one-time sum of 25,000 yen upon arrival


Polish

Kosciuszko Foundation Year Abroad in Poland Scholarship: Financial support from the Polish Ministry of Education and Sport and the Kosciuszko Foundation for US students to study and live in Poland for a semester or year. Includes tuition waiver and stipend for living costs for study of Polish language, history, and literature at Jagiellonian University in Krakow.
Level: undergraduate / Award amount: varies


Norwegian

King Olav V Norwegian-American Heritage Fund: Scholarship to support the study of American students in Norway or Norwegian students in the US.
Level: undergraduate / Award amount: $250-$3000