Scholarship Opportunities
Off-Campus Study & Exchanges encourages students to pursue external scholarship opportunities to help fund their off-campus study. If you currently receive financial aid, you should make an appointment with the Office of Financial Aid to review the use of your financial aid package. You should do this as soon as possible after acceptance to your chosen study abroad program.
Although scholarships for off-campus study are limited, there are a number of scholarships available for students through national scholarship funds, program providers, and local and community organizations. The following information highlights national scholarships, scholarships provided by our approved program providers, and additional resources to search for scholarships.
The following scholarships are not affiliated with Skidmore College, and this is not an exhaustive list. Any students awarded an external scholarship must report the scholarship to Skidmore’s Office of Financial Aid.
National Scholarships - Specific to Region or Country
Approved Program Provider Scholarships
Additional Resources - General
Additional Resources - Specific to Diversity
National Scholarships - General
Boren Scholarships for Undergraduates (NSEP)
Boren Scholarships are awarded to students with in an interest in national security studying abroad non-traditional locations that are “critical” to U.S. interests. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded. All programs must include a language study. Award amounts up to $20,000. Awardees are required to fulfill a one-year service requirement after graduation working for the federal government in an area of national security. For application details, please contact the Office of Academic Advising.
Gilman International Scholarship Program
Gilman scholarships provide support for traditionally under-represented students studying abroad with demonstrated financial need. Students must receive a Pell grant to apply for the scholarship. Preference is given for students studying in non-traditional locations outside of Western Europe and Australia. Awards of up to $5000. Deadlines in mid-September and early April. Awardees will be required to fulfill a service requirement to help promote study abroad on their home campuses during the semester after returning from studying abroad.
The Global Studies Grant for Student Travel and Study Abroad
Designed to support foreign language training and other academic studies abroad, this grant provides supplemental funds for American students who already are studying abroad under the auspices of an official study abroad program conducted by an accredited academic institution.
The National Italian American Foundation
Two scholarships for (1) Italian American students who demonstrate outstanding potential and high academic achievements in all areas of study and/or (2) students from any ethnic background majoring or minoring in Italian language, Italian studies, Italian American studies or a related field, who demonstrate outstanding potential and high academic achievements. Scholarship awards range from $2,000-$12,000.
Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships
Rotary scholarships promote international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries. Students awarded scholarships serve as ambassadors of goodwill to the people of the host country and give presentations about their homelands to Rotary clubs and other groups. Upon returning home, scholars share with local Rotarians and others the experiences that led to greater understanding of their host countries. Scholarship availability is determined by local Rotarian contributions to The Rotary Foundation. As a result, not all-Rotary clubs will offer scholarships. Prospective scholars must apply through a local Rotary club.
National Scholarships - Specific to Region or Country
Travel scholarships of $1,500 for exploratory research or language study in Brazil. The scholarship targets aspiring Brazilianists with relatively little or no experience in Brazil. It seeks to contribute to the student’s initial trip (for a period from six weeks to three months), to heighten the student’s interest in Brazil, and deepen his/her commitment to Brazilian studies in the United States.
BUTEX - British Universities Transatlantic Exchange Association
BUTEX offers a limited number of scholarships for students from the USA or Canada studying in the UK for the semester or academic year. To be eligible to apply you must have been offered a place as a study abroad student at a UK university which is a member of BUTEX. Awards are usually equivalent to £500. Deadline for the academic year is tentatively August 1st.
DAAD – German Academic Exchange Serivce
The DAAD provides a number of undergraduate scholarships for study, research or internships in Germany. DAAD also has post-graduate opportunities for graduating seniors. Most scholarships encourage some previous study in German language, but some do not require any previous German language study.
Foundation for Asia Pacific Education
Scholarships for US or Canadian citizens enrolled in a North American college or university where transfer credit from an academic program abroad will be applied to their degree. Students must be studying in one of the eligible countries in the region. Award amounts range in increments of $500 to $2,000. See website for details and list of eligible countries.
Freeman-ASIA
Freeman-ASIA accepts applications from U.S. citizens or permanent residents studying at the undergraduate level who demonstrate financial need to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia. Applicants must have applied or have been accepted to a study abroad based program in: Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, or Vietnam. Award amounts range from $3,000 to $7,000. See website for more details about eligibility and application process.
Approved Program Provider Scholarships
Many of the Skidmore approved program providers offer merit or need-based scholarships for the participants of the particular programs they sponsor. Please be sure to contact the program provider about scholarship eligibility and application process.
Antioch Education Abroad
AEA offers a limited number of scholarships for the Buddhist Studies in India program.
API
Scholarships for students applying to an API program with at least a 3.0 GPA.
Arcadia CEA
Scholarships ranging from $500-$2000 for students with financial need. Limited scholarships available for certain programs (up to $5000).
Advanced Studies in England (ASE)
ASE in Bath, England awards three named scholarships for: (1) under-represented students, (2) English majors, and (3) students with a significant interest in Shakespeare. Two additional scholarships for students with financial need. Two assistantships are also available during the program which are similar to an RA position.
CIEE
Scholarships for non-traditional locations, underrepresented/minority students, merit, financial need, and programs in China.
College Year in Athens
Merit and need-based scholarships ranging from $500-$5000. Students must complete a financial aid application with CYA.
Danish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS)
DIS offers need-based scholarship funds up to $4,000 per semester and work study opportunities up to $400 per semester. There are also two named scholarships (1) for students who are the first attending DIS from their home institution in at least 3 years and (2) a scholarship for the first generation university students.
Duke University/ICSS
Need based scholarships ranging from less than $1000 to over $10,000.
Duke University/OTS
OTS has limited funding available for students from ethnic or minority groups underrepresented in the sciences, as well as for Costa Rican students. For more information, please contact the Undergraduate Program Officer for OTS.
IES
Need and merit-based scholarships available. Merit based scholarships are available by major, discipline, or interest or by program location. There are also legacy scholarships for students whose parent, legal guardian, grandparent, or sibling attended a past IES Abroad program.
IFSA-Butler
IFSA-Butler offers $1,500 scholarships for semester programs and $2,500 scholarships for year programs. These scholarships are based on financial need. Students can apply to the general scholarship fund or to country or program-specific scholarships. Small number of memorial scholarships available.
IHP
IHP offers a limited number of need-based grants, which generally range from $500 to $8000. Average awards amount is around $2000.
SACI
All SACI scholarships are based on both demonstrated financial need and outstanding artistic and academic ability. SACI scholarships average between $500 and $2,500 per term. One full scholarship and a large number of partial scholarships are also offered annually.
School for Field Studies (SFS)
Need-based scholarships and grants. Maximum award is $6,000 for a semester. SFS also provides loan options at zero-interest or low-interest rates.
SIT
Financial need is a primary consideration for scholarship decisions. SIT has a general scholarship fund and additional scholarships for diversity, certain program theme areas, and programs in particular regions.
SUNY Brockport
UK Travel grants available to cover the cost of the flight and transportation to the program site.
Syracuse University Abroad
Merit-based scholarships up to $700. Need-based, location, and consecutive term grants also available.
Additional Resources - General
College Board Scholarship Search
Scholarship Resource Network Express-contains a database of over 8,000 programs.
Fastweb.com
Fastweb.com is a free, scholarship search engine that compiles national, community, and college-specific scholarships available anywhere.
FinAid!
A student guide to Financial Aid written with the goal of helping students and parents understand financial aid policies, processes, and procedures. The site includes information about types of financial aid, application procedures, federal policies, advice about searching for scholarships, as well as links to scholarship search engines.
Financial Aid for Study Abroad: An Undergraduate Student's Resource (NAFSA)
Financial aid regulations and sources for study abroad differ for undergraduate students.
GoAbroad.com Scholarship Database
InternationalScholarships.com
IIE Passport Study Abroad Funding
Studyabroad.com
University of Minnesota, Learning Abroad Center
Searchable database of scholarships for American undergraduate students planning to study abroad—click on the link for "Learning Abroad Scholarship Database" under the Search for Scholarships & Programs section.
Additional Resources - Specific to Diversity
Diversityabroad.com
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Mobility International USA
Financial resources for people with disabilities to fund international opportunities.
Point Foundation – The National LGBT Scholarship Fund
Scholarships for Multicultural Students Studying Abroad