Grants
IFSA offers several grants designed to help reduce the cost of studying abroad. Unlike scholarships, IFSA grants do not require an application and are applied automatically to eligible students participating in IFSA programs.
Depending on eligibility, grants can provide funding that is applied directly to program education fees or housing costs during billing. Students generally do not need to submit a separate application for these grants.
How We Apply IFSA Grants
Most IFSA grants are automatically applied when eligibility requirements are met. In most cases:
- Grants are applied to education fees or housing costs during billing.
- Students do not need to submit a separate application.
- Grant eligibility is determined based on type of school, program participation, or prior IFSA experience.
Students can view grant information through the IFSA Student Portal and in billing documentation once their program application is underway.
IFSA Grants
IFSA State School Grant
Students attending U.S. state schools, including community colleges, automatically receive an IFSA State School Grant when participating in an IFSA program.
Awards:
- $2,000 for any IFSA semester program
- $1,250 for any IFSA quarter program
- $750 for any IFSA summer or January term program
Students do not need to apply for these grants. These grants are applied to education fees or housing costs during billing.
Important: IFSA State School Grants can not be combined with IFSA Minority Serving Institution Grants.
IFSA Minority Serving Institution Grant
Students attending a minority serving institution (MSI) automatically receive this grant when participating in an IFSA program.
Awards:
- $2,000 for any IFSA semester program
- $1,250 for any IFSA quarter program
- $750 for any IFSA summer or January term program
Students do not need to apply for these grants. Grants are applied to education fees or housing costs during billing.
Important: IFSA Minority Serving Institution Grants can not be combined with IFSA State School Grants.
Grants for HBCU Students
IFSA offers grants for students attending historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) that participate in the IFSA Global Leadership and Career Consortium (GLCC).
Awards:
- $5,000 grants for IFSA Career Accelerator programs for Fall 2027 (public HBCUs listed below)
- $3,500 grants for IFSA Career Accelerator programs for Fall 2027 (private HBCUs listed below)
- $3,500 grants for any IFSA Spring 2027, Fall 2027 or Academic Year 2027 program
- $1,000 grants for any IFSA Summer 2027 program
To apply: Start your program application in your IFSA Student Portal to be considered for one of these grants. Visit our HBCU Grants for Career-Focused Study Abroad to learn more about this funding opportunity.
Global Leaders Career Consortium Members
| Public HBCUs | Private HBCUs |
|---|---|
| Alcorn State University | Howard University |
| Elizabeth City State University | Morehouse College |
| North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University | Spelman College |
| North Carolina Central University | Tuskegee University |
| Prairie View A&M University | |
| Southern University of New Orleans |
Contact Gretchen Cook-Anderson to learn more about joining the IFSA Global Leadership and Career Consortium.
IFSA Quarter Program Grants
All students who attend state schools that operate on a quarter system (including community colleges) will automatically receive a $1,250 grant for any IFSA Quarter Program. This grant will be applied to the overall education fees/housing costs during billing.
Awards:
- $1,250 grant for any IFSA Quarter Program
Important: Students cannot combine the IFSA Quarter Program Grant with the IFSA Minority Serving Institution Grant.
IFSA Returning Alumni Grant
Students who have previously participated in an IFSA program are eligible for the IFSA Returning Alumni Grant when enrolling in another IFSA program. IFSA Returning Alumni Grants can be combined with:
- IFSA Minority Serving Institution Grants
- IFSA State School Grants
- IFSA Quarter Program Grants
Awards:
- $2,000 for any IFSA semester program
- $1,250 for any IFSA quarter program
- $500 for any IFSA summer or January program
To apply: Students should sign into the IFSA Student Portal to begin your new study abroad application. Select “Application” from the upper menu, then “Select Program,” and then click the “Back-up Program” button. If you any difficulty starting your new program application, please send us an email. After you’ve accepted your new IFSA program agreement, the IFSA Returning Alumni Grant will be applied automatically.
After a new IFSA program agreement is accepted, the Returning Alumni Grant is applied automatically.
Alumni of Custom or Faculty-Led Programs
Students who previously participated in an IFSA Custom or faculty-led program should request a special login to the IFSA Student Portal before beginning a new application.
To apply: Email admissions@ifsa-butler.org to receive a special login to the IFSA Student Portal, and be sure to let us know that you’ve traveled with IFSA previously on a custom or faculty-led program.
Study Abroad Grant FAQs
| Questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| What is an IFSA study abroad grant? | An IFSA grant is funding that can be applied to eligible students participating in IFSA programs. |
| How are IFSA grants applied to my program costs? | Most IFSA grants are applied directly to education fees or housing costs during billing, after eligibility requirements are met. |
| Are IFSA grants available for all programs? | Some grants apply to specific program types or student groups, such as students attending certain schools or returning IFSA participants. |
| Do students need to apply for IFSA grants? | Most IFSA grants are automatic and do not require a separate application. |
| How much funding can IFSA grants provide? | Some IFSA grants provide up to $2,000, depending on grant and program term, while some program-specific grants provide larger awards. |
| Do grant amounts vary by program type? | Yes. Grant funding can vary depending on the program length or type, such as semester, summer, January term, or quarter programs. |
| Who qualifies for IFSA grants? | Eligibility for grants can depend on factors such as:
|
| Are there grants for students attending minority serving institutions? | Yes. Students attending minority serving institutions (MSIs) may automatically receive grant funding when participating in IFSA programs. |
| What types of grants does IFSA offer? | Examples of IFSA grants include:
|
| What is the IFSA State School Grant? | Students attending state schools or community colleges automatically receive up to $2,000 of grant funding when participating in an IFSA program. |
| What is the IFSA Minority Serving Institution Grant? | Students attending minority serving institutions (MSIs) automatically receive up to $2,000 of grant funding when participating in IFSA programs. |
| What is the IFSA Returning Alumni Grant? | Students who have previously participated in an IFSA program may be eligible for the up to $2,000 IFSA Returning Alumni Grant, which provides savings on future IFSA programs. |
| Can IFSA grants be combined with other grants? | Some grants cannot be combined with certain others. For example:
|
| When are IFSA grants applied? | Grants are typically applied automatically to education fees or housing costs during billing after eligibility requirements are met. |
| Will I see my grant listed in my program billing? | Grant funding is typically reflected in billing information associated with your program after it has been applied. |
Have more questions? Reach out to us at admissions@ifsa-butler.org and our IFSA team will help you plan ahead for your time studying abroad.