Scholarships & Grants

Did you know that 70% of all CIS Abroad students receive scholarships, grants, or discounts to study or intern abroad? Because we’re unapologetically committed to increasing access to international education for all students, we’ve just re-vamped our scholarship offerings! Read through the following section to see what you may qualify for and start saving money. Additionally, check out our recommended external scholarships list.

CIS Abroad’s 20th Birthday Scholarship - Up to $1,000

At CIS Abroad we are excited to be celebrating our 20th birthday in 2020. It’s a big year for us and what is a birthday without gifts?! This year we are offering a special set of scholarships celebrating two decades of providing life-changing experiences around the world. Apply for any of the following programs for a Fall 2020 start to be eligible for the our 20th Birthday Scholarship.

Programs eligible for CIS Abroad’s 20th Birthday Scholarship

Fall 2020 Terms:

How to apply for one of these special scholarships:

Once you’ve applied for an eligible program, find the scholarship application in your student portal.

Scholarship Application Deadlines:

The CIS Abroad 20th Birthday Scholarships follow the same application deadlines as our standard scholarships and will be available for students going on an eligible program during Fall 2020.

CIS Abroad Academic Merit Scholarship - $250

This award is intended for students who demonstrate excellence in their academic major. While abroad, recipients will use a variety of channels (video, blogging, photos) to share how studying/interning abroad is enriching their academic or professional career, in addition to submitting a photo testimonial.

CIS Abroad First-Generation Student Scholarship - up to $500

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 share their story of learning and exploration while abroad with a photo gallery and their choice of travel vlog, blogging, or an Instagram takeover.

CIS Abroad Student of Color Scholarship - up to $500

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 select from a variety of mediums to share their story while abroad, in addition to submitting a photo testimonial.

CIS Abroad Rainbow Scholarship - up to $500

This award is intended for students within the LGBTQIA+ community, as part of CIS Abroad’s commitment to Generation Study Abroad. Studying abroad as an LGBTQIA+ or gender nonconforming student brings an additional set of challenges and options to consider. There are some questions you may want to ask yourself, and research to be done, before choosing a study abroad program – but our LGBTQIA+ students have amazing experiences abroad and often find local LGBTQIA+ communities to be a part of. Recipients will select from a variety of mediums to share their story while abroad, in addition to submitting a photo testimonial.

CIS Abroad Greek Life Scholarship - up to $500

This award is intended for students in a Greek Life organization who need help covering the cost of membership dues while abroad. In keeping with the philanthropic values of Greek Life organizations, recipients should plan to participate in at least one self-directed volunteer opportunity while abroad and produce content (ex. a blog post or video) related to that experience, in addition to other selections.

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 are awarded on a rolling basis and you should hear back within a week of your application.
If you receive one of our scholarships, you’ll work with our team on fun scholarship content deliverables (ex. photos, videos, blogs etc) during your time abroad.

SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINES

Spring Semester Programs

Application Deadline: October 1
Award Notification: by November 1

Check out our semester programs!

Summer Programs

Application Deadline: March 1
Award Notification: by April 1

Check out our summer programs!

Fall Semester Programs

Application Deadline: April 7
Award Notification: by May 7

Check out our semester programs!

“I was thrilled and grateful to learn that I was selected as a recipient of the Rainbow Scholarship and am so excited to show the world my experience in London with CIS Abroad. As a first generation Mexican-American and a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I was thankful to hear I would receive a scholarship from CIS Abroad to pursue my academic and professional ventures. I have dreamed of studying abroad since a young age and to make this life-changing experience a reality impacted me profoundly.”

Oscar Villalobos III, The University of Alabama, Semester in London – University of Roehampton, Spring 2019

Learn more about Oscar's program in London!

“From the moment I applied, CIS Abroad was thorough, clear, and simple, and their team is responsive, passionate, and caring.”

Hanna Fuchs, Ithaca College, Semester in Edinburgh – Edinburgh Napier University – Fall 2017

Learn more about Semester in Edinburgh!

CIS Abroad Passport Grant - $145

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 Grant helps cover the up-front cost of your passport application. We’ll send you checks made out directly to the U.S. State Department and to the Passport Acceptance Facility (ex. post office) where you’ll apply for your passport. Passport in hand, the world will be yours to explore!

NOTE ON APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

In addition to asking a few questions about who you are, what program you’re going on, and how a passport will enrich your life, the Passport Grant application requires you to identify the post-office that you’ll visit to apply for your passport (if you’re getting a new one) so we can make out the processing fee check appropriately.

If you’re renewing a passport, you can select “by mail” in the How/where do you plan to apply for your passport question and we’ll send you the funds you’ll need to apply for a passport renewal by mail.

#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.

CIS Abroad TRIO Student Grant - up to $750 towards your flights

If you’re 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 towards your flights, to help you get abroad!

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: Give your mentor plenty of notice to fill out the form (and ask nicely c:) 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 postbaccalaureate 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 towards your flights

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, a flight voucher worth 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!

ELIGIBILITY FOR CIS ABROAD SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS

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 (Students on January Programs 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

Head to your student portal to apply!

RECOMMENDED EXTERNAL SCHOLARSHIPS

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.

Learn more about the Gilman Scholarship

Diversity Abroad Scholarships

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.

Browse Diversity Abroad's Scholarships

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.

Read the Hispanic Scholarship Fund's Eligibility Requirement

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.

Learn more about the Boren Awards

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.

Learn more about FEA's scholarships

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.

Learn more about the Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship

Go Overseas Study Abroad Scholarship

Open to all students enrolled full-time at a US college or university, Go Overseas awards a winner with a Go Overseas swag bag and $500.

Learn more about the GoOverseas Scholarship