Five Study Abroad Scholarships for Exploring the World

Study abroad scholarships may enable qualified students to travel the world, engaging in studies and experiences that ideally make the world a better place. The following is information on five scholarships for study abroad that may be available to qualified students to be used alone or in conjunction with other money for a study abroad program.

The American University in Cairo Simpson Scholarship for Study Abroad

This study abroad scholarship may help a qualified student fund a semester or two abroad in Egypt, a country rich with dynamic political, social, and cultural structures and identities.

Amount: $2500 USD

Deadline: March 15th (annual deadline—could change annually)

Number of Awards: 10

Host Institution: American University in Cairo

Includes: $2500 USD/semester with a maximum of two semesters

Criteria: Students must be interested in studying Egyptology and studying anthropology, history, ethnic studies, classics, political science or social science, art, or performance. Additionally, students must have a cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale, have permission from their home university to study at AUC, and complete introductory courses at home prior to traveling to AUC.

The LankaCorps Fellowship

This scholarship may allow eligible graduate students with a Sri Lankan background to “professionally engage in social, economic, and cultural development” in Sri Lanka. It is meant for Sri Lankan’s living in the diaspora “who have limited in-depth experience with the country of their heritage.” The program allows fellowship recipients to live and work in Sri Lanka for six months.

Amount: Program expenses covered (roundtrip international airfare, in-country expenses, a monthly stipend, and health insurance coverage)

Deadline: January 28th

Number of Awards: 5-7

Criteria: Students must be of Sri Lankan heritage and have United States or Canadian citizenship. They must be between the ages of 21 and 30, have at least a bachelor’s degree with high achievement, and demonstrate leadership skills and civic engagement. They must also be in excellent health and be interested in using their education to contribute to Sri Lanka’s development.

Grant Awards from the Japan-US Friendship Commission

The Japan-US Friendship Commission “is an independent federal agency established by Congress in 1975 to strengthen the US-Japan relationship through educational, cultural, and intellectual exchange. Its mission is to support reciprocal people-to-people understanding, and promote partnerships that advance common interests between Japan and the United States.” In short, this grant helps build friendship and goodwill in the world! Why not study abroad and contribute to the world at the same time?

Amount: Variable (includes tuition, travel, and living expenses)

Deadline: March 1st and August 1st

Number of Awards: 75

Criteria: You must be from and studying in Japan or the United States.

The My Travel Bug Fellowship

This fellowship is for eligible financially needy Americans who wish to travel abroad. Applicants are judged based on educational merit, originality, and writing quality.

Amount: $1000-2000 USD

Deadline: March

Number of Awards: Variable

Criteria: Applicants must be U.S. citizens who are healthy, financially needy, intellectually curious, and over the age of 16. They must be willing to self-design trips to countries outside of the U.S. and to share travelogues and pictures from their travels. Their trips must last 1, 2, or 3 months.

The CollegeWeekLive Monthly Scholarship

This study abroad scholarship takes a fun departure from traditional scholarships that have rigid criteria for eligibility and extensive application processes. This scholarship simply requires recipients to create an account, view and visit US colleges online, and keep your fingers crossed.

Amount: $1000 USD

Deadline: Once per month

Number of Awards: 12

Criteria: You must create an account and visit at least 3 US colleges online per month