Scholarships & Grants
We’re committed to increasing access to international education for all students, maintaining affordable program costs.
We offer scholarships and grants towards our programs for qualifying participants. Applicants will complete three short-essay questions per scholarship application. You’ll also find our recommended external scholarships list. Have a look to see what you may qualify for!
CIS ABROAD SCHOLARSHIPS
Up to $500
New! Global Content Creator
The Global Content Creator Scholarship is an opportunity for students who are passionate about content creation, photography, or videography to document their experience abroad! You will collaborate with our marketing team throughout the duration of your program to create content that leverages your interests and talents. This can include, but is not limited to, curating vlogs, photo galleries, blogs, videos, and more. You will be asked to upload examples of your previous work in the application.
Up to $500
CIS Abroad Go Green Scholarship
We at CIS Abroad are proud to be part of the CANIE Accord commitment of sustainability and decarbonizing actions. CANIE, short for Climate Action Network for International Educators, is a volunteer-run organization looking to further action and commitment in the industry. CIS Abroad has made several commitments as part of this initiative and we are looking for students to help further this mission. Do you have a passion for sustainability? If so, we encourage you to apply for our Go Green Scholarship!
Recipients will be required to share their commitment toward sustainability abroad through a photo testimonial. Students may also choose to volunteer on-site or join a related club on campus that relates to sustainable efforts.
Up to $500
CIS Abroad Student Athlete Scholarship
We at CIS Abroad understand the challenges student-athletes face when pursuing study abroad opportunities. We also know it is possible to find programs that accommodate student-athlete needs and we want to help make it happen! CIS Abroad encourages all student-athletes across these 3 divisions in the U.S. (NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA) to apply for this scholarship.
Recipients will be required to share their personal experience as a student-athlete abroad through a photo testimonial.
Recipients will be required to share their personal experience as a student-athlete abroad through a photo testimonial.
Up to $500
CIS Abroad Academic Merit Scholarship
This award is intended for students who demonstrate academic excellence in their academic major. This scholarship recognizes and supports students' dedication to their studies, encouraging them to continue pursuing academic success abroad while reducing the financial burden of their education.
Recipients will be required to share how studying/interning abroad is enriching their academic or professional career through a photo testimonial.
Recipients will be required to share how studying/interning abroad is enriching their academic or professional career through a photo testimonial.
Up to $500
CIS Abroad First-Generation Student Scholarship
We understand first-generation students face additional barriers to studying and interning abroad. In fact, many staff members at CIS Abroad are also first-generation college students. This scholarship is intended to help fund the visa process, flights, and international housing for students who are among the first from their family to go to college.
Recipients will be required to share their personal experience as a first-generation student abroad through a photo testimonial.
Up to $500
CIS Abroad Student of Color Scholarship
This award is intended to benefit students of color, who are traditionally underrepresented within education abroad. We aim to widen the diversity of our community of interns and students abroad and foster equity in access to these experiences. If you identify as biracial, multiracial, Black, African & African American, Caribbean American, Latinx / Chican@ / Hispanic, Asian & Asian American, Native, Pacific Islander, or another minoritized racial/ethnic identity not listed, we invite you to apply. In your application essay, tell us about how your identity will impact your experience abroad.
Recipients will be required to share their personal experience as a student of color abroad through a photo testimonial.
Up to $500
CIS Abroad Rainbow Scholarship
This award is intended for students within the LGBTQIA+ community. Studying abroad as an LGBTQIA+ or gender nonconforming student brings an additional set of challenges and options to consider. We’ve surveyed our program partners and collected feedback from participants to provide a set of LGBTQIA+ friendly programs. You may also want to do your own research to help determine where you’re most likely to thrive. Our LGBTQIA+ students have amazing experiences abroad and often find local LGBTQIA+ communities to be a part of.
Recipients will be required to share their personal experience as a LGBTQ+ student abroad through a photo testimonial.
Up to $5,000 - Starting Fall 2025
New! Palm Entrepreneurship Scholarship
Created to honor CIS Abroad's founder, Jeff Palm, and to celebrate our 25th anniversary, this scholarship supports students who embody an entrepreneurial spirit, a commitment to community, and an “attitude of gratitude.” The scholarship will be awarded each semester to a student who is a Pell Grant Recipient, or has demonstrated financial need. Preference is given to students who are the first in their family to attend college and/or are majoring or minoring in business. Applicants will be asked to highlight their experiences in entrepreneurship, community involvement, and how they envision bringing these values to their time abroad and then back to their home community after.
CIS ABROAD GRANTS
CIS Abroad Passport Grant - $160
Are you dreaming of going abroad, but still without a passport (or need to renew an expiring passport)? Never fear! CIS Abroad has you covered. Our Passport Grants (awarded on a rolling basis) help to cover the up-front cost of your passport application. We'll send you a check to your mailing address made out directly to the U.S. State Department. Passport in hand, the world will be yours to explore!
NOTE ON APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
The application will ask a few questions about who you are, what program you’re going on, and how a passport will enrich your life.
#Teamtips: Do your research ahead of time and the application will be a breeze!
NOTE: Our passport grants are not retroactive, and cannot be used to reimburse costs. First-time passport applicants are responsible for covering the $35 execution fee. There is no fee for passport renewals.
TIMELINE: You can apply for this grant two terms (fall, spring, summer) prior to your program term. For example, summer applications open the fall prior, fall applications open the spring prior, and spring applications open the summer prior.
CIS Abroad TRIO Student Grant - up to $750
If you are currently or have ever been a part of a TRIO program, you’re eligible to apply for our TRIO Student Grant, up to $750.
NOTE ON APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
In addition to asking a few questions about who you are, what program you’re going on, and about your TRIO experience, the CIS Abroad TRIO Student Grant application requires you to attach a recommendation form from a mentor. TRIO programs value mentorship, and we want to give one of your mentors a chance to brag about you! Have them fill out and sign this short form recommending you for our TRIO Student Grant and upload it as part of your application.
#Teamtips: Politely ask your mentor to fill out the form with plenty of notice, and the application will be a breeze!
FAQ
What is the TRIO Program? “The Federal TRIO Programs (TRIO) are Federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO includes eight programs targeted to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to post baccalaureate programs” (from the Federal TRIO – Home Page on the U.S. Dept. of Education Website).
How do I know if I’m a TRIO Student? You will know that you are a TRIO student if you participated in one of the TRIO programs in middle school or high school (e.g. Upward Bound or Talent Search) and/or if you receive assistance from a TRIO program on your college campus from an office of Student Support Services, for example.
CIS Abroad Gilman Grant - up to $750
If you’re applying for a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship from the U.S. State Department for your CIS Abroad program, you’re also eligible to apply for our CIS Abroad Gilman grant, up to $750.
NOTE ON APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
In addition to asking questions about who you are, what program you’re going on, and what the Gilman Scholarship would mean to you, the Gilman Grant application requires you to attach a copy of your FOLLOW-ON SERVICE PROJECT PROPOSAL and your study abroad office’s certification of your application from your Gilman Scholarship application.
#Teamtips: Have a scan of your FOLLOW-ON SERVICE PROJECT PROPOSAL ready to go when you open our Gilman Grant application and it’ll take less than 10 minutes to apply!
CIS Abroad Go Again Grant - up to $250 towards your next program
If you’ve gone on one of our CIS Abroad programs before and you just can’t get enough… guess what? We’ll make it even easier to go abroad again! With our Go Again discount, save $250 on any semester and $100 on any summer, intern or January program.
HOW TO REDEEM: Simply put the code GOAGAIN in the promo code field of your CIS Abroad online application. Please put the name of the program you already participated in (and hopefully LOVED!) to make it faster for us to verify.
APPLYING IS EASY
- After you complete your CIS Abroad application, look for application forms for scholarships and grants in your online student portal. We think that applying for our scholarships and grants is the most fun of your portal tasks! You’ll write a little bit about yourself, why you feel you are a good candidate, and send it off for us to review.
- After the deadlines listed below, our Scholarships Committee checks out applications from all eligible candidates. They’re a great team who reviews all applications through the lens of student need, academic merit, and your written essay question responses. For scholarships, you’ll hear from us by the dates listed below via email. Grants deadlines are the same as scholarships and are awarded on a first come first served basis.
- If you receive one of our scholarships, you’ll be required to submit a photo testimonial by the end of your time abroad.
ELIGIBILITY
- You must have a minimum GPA of 2.5
- You must be studying at a university based in the UNITED STATES and its territories or CANADA to be eligible
- You must have a completed CIS Abroad application for a Semester, Summer, or Internship program (participants of January and Faculty-Led Programs are not eligible at this time).
- All scholarship & grant application requirements must be submitted by the deadline.
- See specific scholarships & grants above for additional eligibility requirements and requirements while abroad.
- Recipients may only be awarded up to ONE scholarship and ONE grant, but you may submit applications for multiple scholarships and grants.
SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINES
Spring Programs
Application Deadline: October 1
Award Notification: November 1
Summer Programs
Application Deadline: April 1
Award Notification: April 15
Fall Programs
Application Deadline: May 1
Award Notification: May 15
RECOMMENDED EXTERNAL SCHOLARSHIPS
Receive up to $5000
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a grant program that enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, thereby gaining skills critical to our national security and economic competitiveness.
The Gilman Scholarship Program is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study and intern abroad programs worldwide.
Award amounts range from $100 to $5,000.
Receive up to $3000
Inclusive Ireland Scholarship
Education in Ireland is proud to partner with Diversity Abroad to announce the creation of the Inclusive Ireland Scholarship Program. Ireland is committed to providing academically rigorous and culturally immersive study abroad experiences for students from all backgrounds and identities.
Education & Ireland & Diversity Abroad are offering five €3000 awards for the Fall 2021 Semester.
Application Deadline – April 1st
Receive up to $5000
Diversity Abroad Scholarship
Search for scholarships available by country, major, and term of interest on Diversity Abroad’s scholarships page.
Diversity Abroad connects talented diverse and underrepresented students and graduates to international education and career opportunities that will prepare them for leadership in an interconnected world.
Receive up to $5000
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Open to high school seniors, community college students, undergraduate and graduate students, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund is committed to assisting students of Hispanic heritage achieve a university degree.
Awards range from $500 to $5,000, based on need.
Receive up to $20,000
Boren Awards
The Boren Awards are geared towards those students pursuing linguistic studies in underrepresented locations around the world (see website for details). Please note that applicants must commit to working in the federal government upon graduation.
Winners will be awarded a maximum of $8,000 for summer programs, $10,000 for semester programs and $20,000 for programs lasting between 6 to 12 months.
Receive up to $10,000
Fund for Education Abroad
The goal of the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) is to provide “scholarships and ongoing support to students who are underrepresented among the US study abroad population.” FEA consists of multiple scholarships and applicants are automatically enrolled in all FEA available scholarships.
Scholarships range from $1,250 to $10,000 and can be applied to programs that run for at least 28 days.
Receive up to $1000
Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship
Awarded bi-annually, the Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship is open to most students currently enrolled full time at a four-year, degree-granting US college or university. Applicants must be pursuing their undergraduate degree, be in good standing at their home institution and have applied to OR have been accepted into a credit-bearing semester-long study abroad program.
Winners will be awarded $1,000 and one Tortuga travel backpack.
Receive up to $500
Go Overseas Study Abroad Scholarship
