Funding Your Study Abroad Experience
Studying abroad may be more affordable than you think. Many CUNY BA students combine financial aid, scholarships, grants, and personal funding to help cover program costs. We encourage students to begin researching funding opportunities early, as many scholarship deadlines occur six to twelve months before departure.
Start Here
Before applying for scholarships:
- Meet with your CUNY BA advisor and home college study abroad office.
- Confirm how your financial aid can be applied to your study abroad program.
- Research program costs and create a budget.
- Review scholarship deadlines well in advance.
Major Study Abroad Scholarships
| Scholarship | Citizenship Requirements | Program Length | Award Amount | Typical Deadline* | Destination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship | U.S. citizen receiving a Federal Pell Grant | Credit-bearing study abroad or internship; summer, semester, or academic year | Up to $5,000; additional funding available through select supplements | March and October cycles annually | Worldwide |
| Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) | U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and DACA recipients | Minimum 2-week credit-bearing programs | $1,250–$10,000 | January–February annually | Worldwide |
| Freeman-ASIA | U.S. citizens or permanent residents with demonstrated financial need | Summer, semester, or academic year | Up to $3,000 (summer), $5,000 (semester), $7,000 (academic year) | Early April annually | East and Southeast Asia |
| Boren Scholarship | U.S. citizens | Semester or academic year; language-focused study | Up to $25,000 | Typically January annually | Selected countries and regions |
| Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) | U.S. citizens enrolled in a degree program | Summer | Fully funded | Typically November annually | Multiple countries |
| Bridging Scholarship | U.S. citizens and permanent residents | Minimum 3 months | Typically $2,500–$4,500 | April (fall programs) / October (spring programs) | Japan |
| Turkish Coalition of America Scholarships | U.S. citizens and permanent residents | Varies | Varies | Varies by program | Türkiye |
Scholarships for Students with Financial Need
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
The Gilman Scholarship is one of the most popular study abroad scholarships for undergraduate students with financial need. The program supports U.S. citizen undergraduate students who receive a Federal Pell Grant and are participating in credit-bearing study abroad or international internship programs.
Fund for Education Abroad (FEA)
FEA provides scholarships to students who are traditionally underrepresented in study abroad, including first-generation college students, community college students, and students with demonstrated financial need.
Freeman-ASIA
Freeman-ASIA provides need-based funding for students studying in East or Southeast Asia. Awards may be used toward program costs, airfare, housing, transportation, and other study abroad expenses.
Language and Regional Scholarships
Critical Language Scholarship (CLS)
The Critical Language Scholarship is a fully funded summer language immersion program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State. Languages include Arabic, Bangla, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Russian, Turkish, Urdu, and others.
Boren Scholarship
Boren Scholarships support intensive language and cultural study in regions of the world that are critical to U.S. interests. Recipients commit to a period of federal service after graduation.
Bridging Scholarship
The Bridging Project offers scholarships to undergraduate students participating in semester- or year-long study abroad programs in Japan.
Funding Through Your Home College
Some CUNY colleges offer their own study abroad scholarships and travel grants. Students should consult:
- Their home college study abroad office
- Academic departments
- Honors programs
- Fellowship and scholarship offices
Students should also explore funding opportunities available through their study abroad program provider.
Post-Graduation International Fellowships
Students planning international study, research, or teaching after graduation may wish to explore:
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Post-Graduation International Fellowships
These highly competitive programs support graduate study, research, teaching, and professional experiences abroad. Most are intended for graduating seniors, recent alumni, and graduate students.
Fellowship Citizenship Requirements Program Length Funding Typical Deadline* Location Fulbright U.S. Student Program U.S. citizens 6–12 months Generally covers transportation, living expenses, health benefits, and program costs Early October 140+ countries Marshall Scholarship U.S. citizens 1–2 years for master's programs; up to 3 years for doctoral study Full funding for graduate study at UK universities, including tuition, living expenses, and travel Late September (campus deadlines often earlier) United Kingdom Gates Cambridge Scholarship Citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom 1–4 years depending on degree program Full cost of studying at the University of Cambridge, including tuition, living expenses, and airfare October–December, depending on program and applicant location United Kingdom Princeton in Asia (PiA) Open to graduates of any accredited college or university; U.S. citizenship not required for many positions Typically 1–2 years Salary, stipend, housing, or benefits vary by placement November Asia Princeton in Africa (PiAf) Open to graduating seniors and recent graduates from accredited colleges and universities Typically 1 year Funding varies by fellowship placement; many include living support and benefits October–November Africa Princeton in Latin America (PiLA) Open to graduating seniors and recent graduates from accredited colleges and universities Typically 1 year Funding varies by fellowship placement; many include living support and benefits November Latin America and the Caribbean Learn More
- Fulbright U.S. Student Program: https://us.fulbrightonline.org/
- Marshall Scholarship: https://www.marshallscholarship.org/
- Gates Cambridge Scholarship: https://www.gatescambridge.org/
- Princeton in Asia: https://www.princetoninasia.org/
- Princeton in Africa: https://www.princetoninafrica.org/
- Princeton in Latin America: https://www.princetoninlatinamerica.org/
These opportunities are generally intended for graduating seniors, recent alumni, and graduate students.
Additional Scholarship Search Resources
Looking for additional funding opportunities? Explore:
- Institute of International Education (IIE)
- Go Overseas Scholarship Directory
- Diversity Abroad Scholarships
- NAFSA: Association of International Educators
Need Assistance?
CUNY BA students considering study abroad are encouraged to speak with their academic advisor early in the planning process. We can help you identify funding opportunities, understand program costs, and develop a strategy for financing your study abroad experience.