Study Abroad Scholarships

Study Abroad Access Award

This need-based study abroad scholarship is awarded by the UNI Office of Financial Aid and is for applicants of study abroad programs administered through the UNI Study Abroad Center. Applications for this award are synced with the study abroad program application, meaning students who have committed to a program have also already completed their application for this award as well. Note: Even though students automatically apply for this award, students are NOT guaranteed to be selected as recipients.

Award Amount: Varies ($100-$1,000)

University Honors Program Scholarships

A variety of scholarship opportunities are available to students in the University Honors Program. Some awards provide general scholarship support while other funds offset costs associated with engaged learning opportunities like research and travel.

Deadlines: Accepted on a rolling basis until funds are depleted 

Award Amount: Varies 

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

The CSBS believes that an international experience will help advance students career goals and prepare them to be competitive in a global environment. CSBS Study Abroad funding is available to students fully admitted into the CSBS.

Deadlines: Fall & Academic Year: July 1st in the year of travel  | Spring: November 1st before travel  | Summer: March 1st in the year of travel

Award Amount: Varies ($250-$500)

College of Humanities, Arts, and Sciences

The CHAS believes that experiences beyond the classroom are an integral part of education in CHAS. The Study Abroad funding they provide supports students to become global citizens. 

Deadlines: Fall and Academic Year: April 30th  |  Spring: November 30th  |  Summer: March 31st

Award Amount: Varies (maximum of $250)

Wilson College of Business

Regardless of your profession, today's economy requires globally knowledgeable professionals. The support students to make these experiences happen through the Wilson College of Business' funding opportunities. Apply at the link above. 

Deadlines: Winter Break: September 15th | Spring Semester: October 1st  | Summer Faculty-led: December 15th |Summer and Fall: March 1st

Award Amount: Varies (Fly-free funding to cover portion of airfare and cost-neutral scholarships to make the cost abroad the same or even less than at UNI)

Lawrence M. Jepson Award for Economics Students

The Lawrence M. Jepson International Experience Award has been established to honor Lawrence Jepson’s vision to understand the importance of global interrelationships. The awards will be given to students who are majoring in Economics and going abroad through UNI’s study abroad program. See the above link for more information on the application process. 

Deadlines:  Winter Break: September 15th | Spring Semester: October 1st  | Summer Faculty-led: December 15th |Summer and Fall: March 1st

Award Amount: Varies (approximately $500) 

Department of Languages & Literatures

The Department of Languages & Literatures is pleased to offer a wide array of scholarship opportunities for incoming and current students in their department. Study Abroad scholarships are available to Languages & Literatures majors and minors.

Deadlines: Typically once per academic year, mid-Fall semester (see application form for deadline)

Award Amount: Varies ($350-$2,500)

France Summer 2025 Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program Scholarship

Any qualifying French 2+2, Interdisciplinary French Studies minor, or French language certificate student who is interested in the France Summer 2025 short-term Study Abroad program may be eligible for one of a select number of monetary awards toward tuition costs.

Deadline: March 31st

Award Amount: Varies ($250-$1,000) 

Summer 2025 Scholarship for English and English-Teaching Majors

The Department of Languages & Literatures is pleased to offer a scholarship for English and English-Teaching majors ONLY who are considering a Summer 2025 UNI faculty-led Study Abroad program.

Deadline: November 1

Award Amount: $1,500

Robert Eller Scholarship for Study Abroad

The Robert Eller Scholarship has been established to foster the educational, professional, and personal growth of an undergraduate student at the University of Northern Iowa by providing scholarship funds to assist with the cost of a semester or year of study outside the U.S. to a student whose previous travel and study experiences abroad have been limited.

Deadlines: Fall & Academic Year: March 31st | Spring: October 31st

Award Amount: Varies (approximately $5,000)

ITALIARAIL Study Abroad Scholarship (Italy) 

Two scholarships, $1,000 each, will be given each semester to students studying abroad during the semester. Follow the link above for more information about the application process. To be eligible you must be enrolled in the second or third year of your undergraduate studies, must be accepted and confirmed to participate in the program for study abroad (having paid the deposit), must have at least a 3.0 GPA, and be on financial aid.

Deadlines: Varies by term, see online application 

Award Amount: $1,000

The Gilman Scholarship

Established to diversify the kinds of students who study abroad and the countries and regions where they go. Specifically, the Gilman Program offers scholarships to students typically underrepresented in education abroad who plan to study in non-traditional countries. For more information, visit the link above and speak with the Student Support Specialist in the UNI Study Abroad Center. Designed to diversify the kinds of students who study abroad and the countries and regions where they go. This Federal scholarship typically assists underrepresented students, but is not limited to that population, in education abroad who plan to study in non-traditional countries. An additional scholarship may be awarded if a student studies a language of strategic importance. Must be a Pell Grant Recipient to be eligible. 

Deadlines: Varies by term, see online application

Award Amount: Varies (usually around $3,000)

The Boren Scholarship 

Boren Scholarships promote long term linguistic and cultural immersion, and therefore study abroad proposals for two or more semesters are strongly encouraged. Preference will be given to undergraduate applicants proposing a full-year academic study. It provides awards to support study abroad in countries critical to future security of the United States of America.

Deadlines: Varies by term, see online application

Award Amount: Varies (up to $10,000 for one semester, $20,000 for one year)

Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship 

The Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship is awarded biannually to passionate students who want to explore the world. They strive to help students live on their own terms. When customers purchase luggage from their company for their trips, they are “paying it forward” by funding scholarships for students.

Deadlines: Varies by term, see online application

Award Amount: Varies (around $1,000)

Scott's Cheap Flights Study Abroad Scholarship 

Scott's Cheap Flights wants to give students the opportunity to study abroad and provide $1,000 study abroad scholarships.

Deadlines: Varies by term, see online application

Award Amount: Varies (up to $10,000 for one semester, $20,000 for one year)

National Italian American Foundation Scholarship(s) (Italy) 

Several scholarships are available with various application criteria.  For more information please visit the NAIF website.

Deadlines: Varies by program term, see online application

Award Amount: Varies (see online page for more details)

Hellenic American Scholarship (Greece) 

Available to students studying at the American College of Thessaloniki.  For more information please visit the ACT website.

Deadlines: Varies by program term, see online application

Award Amount: Varies (see online page for more details)

Japanese Consulate in NY Scholarships (Japan) 

Several scholarships available for undergraduates and graduates studying or conducting research in Japan. for more information please visit the Japanese Consulate website. 

Deadlines: Varies by program term, see online application

Award Amount: Varies (see online page for more details)

BUTEX Scholarship (UK)

Scholarships are £500 and will be paid to the winners once they have arrived and registered at their host university. Must be studying for at least one semester and must be going to a UK university which is a member of BUTEX. University of Hull, University of Stirling, University of Wales, Swansea are members. Applicants have two options: design a poster or answer the question “5 Things I Wouldn’t Study Abroad Without” and complete the application form on their website.

Deadlines: Varies by program term, see online application

Award Amount: £500

Marshall Awards (UK) 

Marshall Scholarships finance young Americans of high ability to study for a graduate degree in the United Kingdom.
As future leaders, with a lasting understanding of British society, Marshall Scholars strengthen the enduring relationship between the British and American peoples, their governments and their institutions. Marshall Scholars are talented, independent and wide-ranging, and their time as Scholars enhances their intellectual and personal growth.

Deadlines: Varies by program term, see online application

Award Amount: Varies (see online page for more details)

Freeman-ASIA Scholarship (Asia) 

US citizen or permanent resident, must have applied and been accepted to a UNI accredited foreign university in Asia, receive need-based financial aid, be an undergraduate with 2.8 or higher GPA., apply to a study abroad program in Asia and will spend at least 8 weeks having intensive language studies in one of the Asian countries and have little to no experience in the country. Application must be endorsed by the Student Support Specialist upon completion. Students will complete the eligibility screen page online, and complete the application online by the student deadline. Students will upload a personal statement and service project proposal.

Deadlines: Varies by program term, see online application

Award Amount: Varies (see online page for more details)

American Association of Teachers of Japanese Bridging Scholarship (Japan)

The Bridging Project offers scholarships to American undergraduate students participating in study abroad programs in Japan. Funding from private foundations and major U.S. corporations, through donations to the nonprofit US-Japan Bridging Foundation, makes it possible to award about 100 scholarships each year to assist students with the travel and living expenses they will incur while studying abroad in Japan for a semester or an academic year. Undergraduate students majoring in any field of study are eligible to apply for these scholarships. Japanese language study is not a prerequisite. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and must be enrolled as undergraduates in a college or university in the United States before and during the time they are studying abroad.

Deadlines: Varies by program term, see online application

Award Amount: Varies ($2,500-$4,000)

Fulbright Scholarships

Offers fellowships to graduating undergraduates, graduate students, young professionals and artists to study abroad or teach abroad for a duration between 9 and 12 months.

Deadlines: Varies by program term, see online application

Award Amount: Varies (see online page for more details)

Sarah's Wish Foundation 

Sara’s Wish Foundation scholarships are awarded to women committed to making the world a better place by fully participating in it. Award to study abroad students going to typically non-traditional locations like Ethiopia, Korea, Chile, Nepal, and South Africa are just a few examples. Must be a US citizen to apply and program must be longer than 5 weeks.

Deadlines: Varies by program term, see online application

Award Amount: Varies (see online page for more details)

Australian Education Office (Australia) 

Database of scholarships in most disciplines for most universities in Australia. For more information please visit the Australian Education Office website.

Deadlines: Varies by program term, see online application

Award Amount: Varies (see online page for more details)

Rotary Club Global Scholarship 

This global grant scholarship funds undergraduate and graduate-level coursework or research for an academic year. For more information on this scholarship, eligibility requirements, and deadlines check out the page here. Check with your local chapter or Rotary International District 5970

Deadlines: Varies by program term, see online application

Award Amount: Varies (see online page for more details)

Fund for Education Abroad 

The scholarship is for students studying abroad for a summer, semester or academic year. Must be a US Citizen or permanent resident, enrolled as an undergraduate, applying to an approved Study Abroad Program for a minimum of 4 weeks, committed to support education abroad on campus. Prefer applicants applying to a program known for its academic rigor, learning the language, with service-learning component, applying to a program in a non-traditional location, and demonstrate financial need.

Deadlines: Varies by program term, see online application

Award Amount: Varies (see online page for more details)

UAS7's Program and Scholarships (Germany) 

The Internship Program allows undergraduate and graduate students in the STEM fields and architecture to intern in a research lab on a UAS7 campus. Scheduling is flexible and internships can be 2-6 months in length. German is beneficial but not required, and applicants are automatically considered for a UAS7 Travel Scholarship. The Study Program allows undergraduate students to spend a semester taking classes and benefiting from the full range of opportunities that characterize campus life at a German university of applied sciences. As with the Internship Program, students work with faculty who bring substantial experience beyond academia to the classroom and their research. Applicants are automatically considered for the UAS7 Travel Scholarship.

Deadlines:  Varies by program term, see online application

Award Amount: Varies (see online page for more details)

Underrepresented Student Scholarships

The PLATO project collects resources and information to help increase participation by diverse students in study abroad.

Deadlines: Varies by program term, see online application

Award Amount: Varies (see online page for more details)

Traub-Dicker Rainbow Scholarship

Non-renewable scholarships available to women-identified lesbians who are involved in LGBTQ activism. For more information, please click here. 

Deadlines: Varies by program term, see online application

Award Amount: Varies (see online page for more details)

Fund for Education Abroad Rainbow Scholarship

$5,000 maximum scholarship for underrepresented students with disabilities who wish to receive a scholarship to study abroad for a minimum of four weeks. Eight awards are given per academic year. For more information, please click here. 

Deadlines: Varies by program term, see online application

Award Amount: Varies (maximum of $5,000)

Rainbow Scholarship for LGBTQI students

Funded by the Rainbow Special Interest Group of NAFSA: Association of International Educators.  They make 15 awards annually for up to $10,000. Applications for the 2016-17 year will be accepted until January 18.  For more information, view the Fund for Education Abroad Website.

Deadlines: Varies by program term, see online application

Award Amount: Varies (see online page for more details)

Through the looking glass

$1,000 scholarship dedicated to supporting students with parents who have disabilities to meet their academic goals both at UNI and abroad. Ten awards are given per academic year. For more information, please click here. 

Deadlines: Varies by program term, see online application

Award Amount: $1,000

National Federation of the Blind Scholarship

30 scholarships awarded each year to legally blind persons. Students must attend National Federation of the Blind Conventions as a follow-on project. Click here to apply. 

Deadlines: Varies by program term, see online application

Award Amount: Varies ($3,000-$12,000)

Gamma mu Foundation Scholarship 

Dedicated to giving $1,000 or $2500 scholarships to gay male identified students from rural areas with international higher education opportunities. For more information, please click here. 

Deadlines: Varies by program term, see online application

Award Amount: Varies ($1,000-$2,500)