Scholarships/Fellowships/Grants

For many students cost can be an important factor on deciding to study abroad, but with proper research, guidance and advisement, we are able to advise students on finding various scholarships, fellowships and grant opportunities dedicated to study abroad. We encourage students to begin the application process early since the application can be demanding and may take some time to prepare.

Students interested in learning more about scholarships opportunities and/or applying, should contact our office in Carman Hour office in Carman Hall room 337 or email us at ipce.office@lehman.cuny.edu. See below for further guidance.

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program for Study Abroad

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program offers grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies or credit-bearing, career-oriented internships abroad.

• Amount: Up to $5,000 for a general study abroad program and up to $8,000 for students studying a critical needs language.
• Eligibility: Open to all U.S. citizen undergraduates, in good academic standing. Must be a recipient of a Federal Pell Grant. The applicant must be in the process of applying to or has been accepted for a study abroad program eligible for credit by the home institution. Students at four-year institutions must enroll is a study abroad program that is at least three weeks long.
• Application Deadlines:
• First Tuesday of October for Winter, Spring or early Summer
• First Tuesday of March for Summer and Fall

Please refer to the Gilman website for specific deadlines and application instructions.

Freeman Awards for Study in Asia

Freeman Asia provides need-based scholarships for U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia.

• Amounts:
  Up to $3,000 for summer
  Up to $5,000 for semester
  Up to $7,000 for academic year
• Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens and permanent resident undergraduate students. Must have a FAFSA on file for the academic year they intend to study abroad; must have minimum 2.8 GPA and pursuing first associate’s or bachelor’s degree; must have applied or been accepted to a study abroad program that lasts at least 8 weeks in the summer and 12 weeks in the fall/spring.

Application opens early January for coming academic year (Summer, Fall, Spring)

Please refer to the Freeman Asia website for specific deadlines and application instructions

Critical Language Scholarship

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) is an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for U.S. citizens enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. The program includes intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences designed to promote rapid language gains.

• Amount: CLS covers most of the cost of participating in their language programs including local and international transportation, housing, courses, meals, and credits.
• Languages Offered: Azerbaijani, Bangla, Hindi, Indonesian, Persian, Punjabi, Swahili, Turkish Urdu, Arabic, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, Japanese
• Students will spend up to 10 weeks studying one of the following critical languages
• Application Deadline:
  • Application is due in November for the following summer term.

Please refer to the CLS website for specific deadlines and application instructions.

Boren Scholarship/Fellowship 

As an initiative of the National Security Education Program, Boren Scholarships provide funding to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests, and underrepresented in study abroad – see here for a list of preferred countries. In exchange for funding, Boren Scholars commit to working in the federal government, such as the national security area, for at least one year after graduation.

• Amounts:
  Up to $8,000 for summer (STEM students only; minimum 8 weeks abroad)
  Up to $10,000 for semester
  Up to $20,000 for 6 – 12 months
• Eligibility: Open to all U.S. citizen undergraduates; Study abroad program cannot be in Western Europe, Canada, Australia or New Zealand.
• Application Deadline: early February for all semesters

Please refer to the website for specific deadlines and application instructions

Fund for Education Abroad (FEA)

The Fund for Education Abroad provides scholarships and ongoing support to students who are underrepresented among the U.S. study abroad population. FEA makes life-changing, international experiences accessible to all by supporting minority, community college, and first-generation college students before, during, and after they participate in education abroad programs.

• Eligibility: Must be U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Must be enrolled as an undergraduate at an U.S. accredited institution. Study abroad program must meet home institution credit requirements
• Amounts: Awards up $10,000 for full academic year, $5,000 for Fall or Spring semester, and summer scholarships are pro-rated based on length of program.
• Application Deadlines: TBA

Please refer to the website for specific deadlines and application instructions

Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship

This fellowship is a study abroad program where 100% of the student’s program fees and travel costs are covered. It is an intensive 4-week, 3-credit summer course designed to enhance leadership and intercultural skills. This fellowship is made possible through a partnership between CIEE and the Penn Center for Minority Serving Institutions (PENN CMSI), in an effort to make study abroad accessible to students from Minority Serving Institutions (MSI).

• Amount: Covers 100% of program fees and travel costs
• Eligibility: Open to current undergraduate freshman or sophomores attending a Minority Serving Institution. Must be Pell Grant-eligible and have a minimum GPA 3.00. Must reside in the U.S. with student status or be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national or permanent resident.
• Application Deadline: January for summer 2020 (application opens in September)

Please refer to the website for specific deadlines and application instructions.

HI USA: Explore the World Travel Scholarships

Funded by Hostelling International (HI), the Explore the World Travel Scholarship awards students who have a strong desire and motivation to experience other people and cultures through international travel. Program must incorporate education, volunteerism or service learning abroad.

• Amount: Up to $2,000
• Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents enrolled in an undergraduate institution; must be 18 – 30 years of age at time of application; must be resident of New York City; must be a current or former recipient of a Federal Pell Grant or show an income level that does not exceed 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (reach out to HI USA to find out if you’re eligible).
• Application Deadline: early March for coming academic year (Summer, Fall, Spring)

Please refer to the HI USA website for specific deadlines and application instructions.

Tortuga Backpacks Study Abroad Scholarship

Tortuga Backpacks awards students who want to experience the world beyond their college campuses. Their scholarship is awarded biannually to passionate students who want to explore the world.

• Amounts: $1,000 (plus a travel backpack)
• Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents or those currently studying in the U.S. on a student visa; full-time undergraduate student in good academic standing; have applied or been accepted to a credit-bearing study abroad program that takes place in the fall or spring semester (summer/winter scholarships not currently available)
• Application Deadlines:
• December for spring
• May for fall

Please refer to Tortuga website for specific deadlines and application instructions