When you are thinking about studying abroad, cost is one of the most important factors to consider. After all, study abroad can be expensive! Students will have to pay for tuition, plane tickets, meals, room & board, and other expenses. The good news is that study abroad scholarships and financial aid can help make study abroad affordable!

In fact, in some situations, students can wind up saving money by studying abroad.

Jump ahead to:

• Study Abroad Scholarships
• Need-based Financial Aid
• Summary of Study Abroad Scholarships

Keep on reading to learn more about how you can pay for your study abroad experience! We will be profiling some of the top scholarship and financial aid opportunities available to high school and college students.

Top Study Abroad Scholarships in 2021

Verto Opportunity Grant

• Eligibility: High school seniors with demonstrated financial need
• Amount: Up to $10,000
• Deadline: July 1st

Verto International Leadership Award

• Eligibility: High school seniors with leadership experience
• Amount: Up to $5,000
• Deadline: July 1st

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program

• Eligibility: Undergraduate students who qualify for a Pell Grant
• Amount: Up to $5,000
• Deadline: April 15 and  November 15

The Boren Awards

• Eligibility: Undergraduate and Graduate students
• Amount: $2,500-$20,000
• Deadline: Varies

Critical Language Scholarships

• Eligibility: All students who are studying languages that the U.S. government encourages students to learn including: Bangla, Hindi, Russian, Korean, and Swahili.
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: November 17

Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants

• Eligibility: College undergraduates who attend a college with an active Phi Kappa Phi chapter
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: March 15

Rotary Foundation & Club Scholarships

• Eligibility: High school and college students
• Amount: Varies
• Deadline: Varies

Need-based Financial Aid for Studying Abroad

One of the great things about study abroad is that students can qualify for financial aid to study abroad (just like any other academic semester). This means that any need-based financial aid you are receiving can be applied to pay for your study abroad semester. This includes need-based grants specifically from your college, as well as Pell Grants.

This means that students will need to submit their FAFSA each year (as well as any other financial aid forms that your institution requires).

Students who are receiving merit-based scholarships will also be able to apply their awards to a study abroad experience. In fact, some merit and full ride scholarships will offer students a specific stipend for study abroad.

Summary of Study Abroad Scholarships

1. Verto Opportunity Grant
2. Verto International Leadership Award
3. Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
4. The Boren Awards
5. Critical Language Scholarships
6. Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants
7. Rotary Foundation & Club Scholarships
8. Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship

Expired Scholarships:

Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship (Cancelled due to Covid-19)

• Eligibility: College students who plan to study abroad 
• Amount: $1,000
• Deadline: April 15 and  November 15