National Scholarships

The following list is not exhaustive. For further scholarship ideas, students are encouraged to research Country-Specific Scholarships or to use the national scholarship search engines at www.studyabroadfunding.org or www.internationalscholarships.com.

The Fellowships Office and the National Scholarships Office also provide information about scholarships and fellowships.

Fulbright U.S. Student Program

A number of grants and other opportunities are available to eligible applicants. Dr. Jonathan Auerbach is Fulbright Program adviser for UMCP, working in conjunction with Francis Duvinage in the National Scholarships Office. Both can introduce undergraduates, graduate students, and interested faculty to the ins and outs of the Fulbright Student Program for grants to conduct research and study abroad, including specific application procedures for the 2008-09 academic year.

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program

Who Can Apply: US Citizens – Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors – All Majors – GPA of 3.0 or higher recommended – Deadline: Oct. 7, 2008.
Applicants MUST be Pell Grant recipients or be eligible for a Pell Grant during the planned semester or year of study abroad. 
CONTACT THE NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS OFFICE AT gilman@umd.edu to learn more and for assistance with the application process.

Description: Sponsored by the US State Department, the Gilman International Scholarship Program offers grants for approximately 1,200 U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies world-wide. Such international study is intended to better prepare U.S. students to assume significant roles in an increasingly global economy and interdependent world. The scholarship provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving federal Pell Grants and aims to support a diverse range of students who have been traditionally under-represented in study abroad. Fall, spring and academic year study abroad programs are eligible (summer programs are not eligible).

Award :  Over 1,200 scholarships of up to $5,000 will be awarded this academic year for U.S. citizen undergraduates to study abroad. Award amounts will vary depending on the length of study and student need with the average award being $4,000. Students are also eligible to receive an additional $3,000 Critical Need Language Supplement from the Gilman Program if their study abroad plans involve studying any of the following critical languages: Arabic (all dialects), Chinese (all dialects), Turkish, Persian, Languages of India and Pakistan, Korean, Russian.

UMCP Campus Deadline: October 7, 2008 – This is the deadline for students applying to study abroad programs beginning between beginning between December 15, 2008 and April 15, 2009, for Spring semester or an academic year (two semesters). All Maryland applicants must meet the campus deadline to ensure that necessary Study Abroad and Financial Aid on-line certifications can be completed before the national deadline.

National Security Education Program David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholarships

Who Can Apply: US Citizens or permanent residents – Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, Seniors – GPA of 3.4 or higher recommended – All Majors – Scholarship MUST be used before graduation - Deadline: January 28,2009.

CONTACT THE NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS OFFICE AT nsepboren@umd.edu to learn more and for assistance with the application process.

The National Security Education Program (NSEP) is a unique scholarship opportunity for U.S. undergraduates to study language abroad. Created in 1991, the NSEP awards Boren Scholarships to American students for study of world regions critical to U.S. interests including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, the NIS, and the Middle East. The campus application deadline for the 2008-2009 academic year is has already passed.

DiversityAbroad.com Study Abroad Scholarship

Diversity Abroad is offering scholarships for fall 2008, spring 2009, and summer 2009 study abroad. Scholarships are only available for students studying or interning on programs offered by a Diversity Abroad member organization. Economically disadvantaged students, African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic/Latino and Native American students are strongly encouraged to apply.  

Hispanic Scholarship Fund

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund, the nation’s largest provider of college financial aid for Latinos, offers several scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students. Funds may be applied to costs associated with study abroad if you participate in a UM semester or year study abroad program.

The Institute for International Public Policy (IIPP) Fellows Program

The IIPP Fellowship Program provides students from underrepresented minority groups with intentionally-designed education and training experiences critical to entry and advancement in international affairs careers. IIPP provides funding for as much as one-half the total cost of one junior semester abroad. Sponsored by the United Negro College Fund.

The Department of State's Critical Language Scholarship Program

The Department of State's Critical Language Scholarship Program, administered by the Council of American Overseas Research Centers (CAORC), is part of an initiative to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering critical need foreign languages. The CLS program provides funding for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to participation in summer language programs overseas.

The program is designed to select those students who would get the most out of an experience overseas, and recipients are expected to continue their language study beyond the scholarship period and to later apply their critical language skills in their professional careers.

Freeman-ASIA Awards for Study in Asia

Who Can Apply: US Citizens or permanent residents – Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors – GPA of 3.0 or higher recommended – All Majors – Deadline: Oct. 10, 2008. Applicants MUST currently receive need-based financial aid.
CONTACT THE NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS OFFICE AT freeman_asia@umd.edu to learn more and for assistance with the application process.

Description: Freeman-ASIA (Freeman Awards for Study in Asia) is designed to support American undergraduates with demonstrated financial need who are planning to study overseas in East or Southeast Asia. The Freeman-ASIA award supports study in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. Awards are made for summer study, single semester study, and full academic year study. Freeman-ASIA Award recipients are expected to share their experiences with their home campuses to encourage study abroad in Asia by others, and to spread greater understanding of Asian peoples and cultures within their home communities. Since the launch of the program in 2000, Freeman-ASIA has supported over 3,000 U.S. undergraduates with their study abroad plans in East and Southeast Asia.

Award:  A Freeman-ASIA Award provides need-based funding to assist the recipient with the cost of the study abroad program and related expenses such as airfare, additional living costs, books, etc. Grant amounts are: summer award up to $3,000; semester award up to $5,000; academic year award up to $7,000.

UMCP Campus Deadline: October 10, 2008 – This is the deadline for students applying to study abroad programs beginning between December 2008 and April 2009, for Spring semester or an academic year (two semesters). All Maryland applicants must meet the campus deadline to ensure that necessary Study Abroad and Financial Aid on-line certifications can be completed before the national deadline.

Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant Competition

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi sponsors this study abroad grant competition. Students with a 3.5 GPA who have been accepted to a study abroad program may apply. For an application, please visit the Phi Kappa Phi website. The deadline is February 18, 2008, for study in 2008-2009. The awards are in the amount of $1000, and are awarded for strong academic performance, based predominately on a student's GPA.

Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships

Rotary International has several scholarship opportunities for students with Rotary membership. Visit their web site for a directory of local Rotary Clubs and membership information.

Golden Key Study Abroad Scholarship

Undergraduate members who are currently enrolled in a study abroad program or who will be enrolled the academic year immediately following the granting of the award are eligible for one of ten $1,000 awards presented each year.

The Global Studies Grant for Study Abroad