Explore the world with Semester at Sea: A floating campus for global education and adventure.
Studying abroad isn’t just about getting a world-class education. It’s an excellent way to gain international exposure, experience new cultures, widen your network, secure better career opportunities, and perhaps even learn a new language.
The potential costs involved can, of course, make anyone wary of considering an international education. But it shouldn’t be so. There are a number of scholarship programs available for American students to pursue undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and various other qualifications at some of the top universities in the world. From former U.S. president Bill Clinton to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg, many notable Americans have benefited from them.
If you’re considering your options to study abroad, here are six top scholarship programs that could help make your dream a reality.
1. Rhodes Scholarship
This is a highly prestigious scholarship which also happens to be the oldest international fellow award in the world.
The Rhodes program dates back to 1902, set up by the Rhodes Trust in the United Kingdom in honor of Cecil J. Rhodes. It awards scholarships to students from around the world to study for a range of degrees at the University of Oxford.
The program considers academic achievements, leadership potential, character, and a variety of other factors when selecting winners. And the scholarships are presented to pursue full-time graduate courses, mostly for two years.
U.S. citizens and those with lawful permanent residence are eligible to apply, provided they meet the rest of the criteria related to age and academic achievements. You can find more information and apply for Rhodes Scholarships at the Rhodes Trust website.
2. Marshall Scholarship
The Marshall Scholarships were set up in 1953 to honor the former U.S. Secretary of State, General George C. Marshall. Funded by the British government, they provide accomplished American students with three years of graduate study at any U.K. University.
So far, over 2,200 Americans have benefited from the program, with recipients including Congress members, U.S. Supreme Court Justices, Olympic medalists, and Pulitzer Prize winners.
Scholarships are available only to American citizens with an undergraduate degree from a U.S. university. The selection process is pretty stringent and covers academic merit, leadership potential, and ambassadorial potential.
To learn more about the eligibility criteria and application terms, you can visit the official website of the Marshall Scholarships.
3. Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
Funded by the U.S. Department of State, the Gilman Scholarship supports students requiring financial assistance to study or intern overseas.
The program has a special focus on veterans and those underrepresented in foreign education opportunities, such as students with disabilities and from ethnic minorities.
In fact, nearly half of its recipients are first-generation college students and almost 60% come from small towns.
The Gilman Scholarship program encourages students to study languages like Chinese dialects, Arabic, and Russian, which are critical for national security.
To be eligible to apply, you must receive a Federal Pell Grant and meet several other criteria. More information can be found at www.gilmanscholarship.org.
4. Boren Awards
Named after the U.S. Senator David L. Boren, the Boren awards provide undergraduate students with scholarships to go abroad and study languages and cultures important for national security.
It prioritizes regions underrepresented in study abroad programs, like Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
The award value depends on the length of the overseas stay. For instance, 8-11 weeks abroad (for STEM majors) could receive $8000, while 25-52 week courses are allocated $25,000.
Only U.S. citizens 18 years of age or above can apply for the program. Applicants must be high school graduates or have a GED and should plan to study in a location outside Canada, Western Europe, Australia, or New Zealand.
You can follow the instructions on the Apply Now page of the Boren Awards website to prepare your application.
5. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship
Also known as Vanier CGS, the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship is sponsored by the Canadian government and presented to doctoral students with outstanding academic and leadership achievements.
And it’s not just awarded to Canadians. Even students from other countries, including the U.S., can apply, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
Usually, full-time students are considered in research areas related to health research, natural sciences and/or engineering, or social sciences and humanities. The program may make exceptions for those pursuing part-time studies because of disabilities, health reasons, and the like.
But to apply, you must be nominated by a Canadian institute with a Vanier CGS quota. Full details about the program and application deadlines can be accessed at the Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship website.
6. Freeman Awards for Study in Asia
The Freeman Awards for Study in Asia (ASIA) was set up in 2001 by the Freeman Foundation to strengthen ties between the United States and Asian countries.
It supports U.S. undergraduates who require financial assistance to study in the East or Southeast Asia region. And since its inception, the program has provided scholarships to over 5,000 Americans from around 600 educational institutes.
To apply, students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a GPA of 2.8 or above. They should also be enrolled for their first bachelor’s degree at a two- or four-year college or university in the United States. The awards are available for studies in 15 Asian countries, including China, Korea, Japan, and Indonesia.
If interested, you can get more information at the Institute of International Education (IIE) website.
To Wrap Up
There are many benefits to an overseas education, from experiencing new cultures to securing better career prospects, which makes it an attractive proposition for many people.
If you’re considering it, don’t let the cost of studying abroad keep you from fulfilling your dreams. Today, several prestigious scholarships are available for American students to access the financial support needed to gain an education in a foreign country.
However, keep in mind that many of these programs receive hundreds and thousands of applications each year. This means that to improve your chances of securing a scholarship, selecting one that fits your academic aspirations and starting the application process early is critical.
Checking the eligibility requirements, preparing the necessary documents, including your personal statement, CV, and transcripts, and identifying referees who can provide academic and character references is equally important.
