Scholarships, Grants, and Financial Aid

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Scholarships, Grants, and Financial Aid

We do more to put study abroad within reach.

IFSA is deeply committed to making study abroad accessible to as many students as possible. We believe that cost should never be a barrier: that’s why we offer financial support to a larger proportion of IFSA students than any other organization.

That concept of inclusive excellence—embracing and empowering all students regardless of background—is central to our mission of making studying abroad available to all those who choose to pursue it. Together, we can find a way to make it happen for you.

Don’t miss out—more than 1 in 3 IFSA applicants receive financial assistance to help make their study abroad dreams come true.

Affordable study abroad: Scholarships, grants, and financial aid with IFSA

We are proud to offer these opportunities to students who plan to participate in IFSA programs:

Grants – Automatic, application-free funding for up to $2,000 for eligible groups. (Funds go directly to students unless there’s an outstanding balance with IFSA. In that case, funds are applied to that balance.)
Scholarships – IFSA offers need-based and location-specific scholarships, ranging from $500 to $2,500.
IFSA student marketing correspondents – A special offering open to all, enabling you to earn a stipend by documenting your study abroad experience, and even get the funds as an advance to offset up-front costs.
Special offers – Be sure to visit our Special Offers page to learn about opportunities to save with travel grants, program-specific grants, and more! These change every season, so check back regularly.
Affordable program offerings – We also offer IFSA-designed programs created specifically to be more accessible and less expensive than direct enrollment at host universities—a great option for those who don’t qualify for many scholarships or grants, or who are looking for a more affordable option.
Financial advising – Many students don’t know that the financial aid they already receive from government programs can be applied to study abroad. We’ll show you how.

IFSA grants and scholarships can be stacked:

Semester Programs: Up to $4,500
Summer Programs: Up to $1,750
January Programs: Up to $1,500
Quarter Term Programs: Up to $2,500

Grants for Study Abroad

IFSA State School Grant

All state school students (regardless of in-state or out-of-state status) will automatically receive a $2,000 grant for any IFSA semester program, or a $750 grant for any IFSA summer or January Term program. The grant will be applied to the overall education fees/housing costs during billing. There is no application process; state school (including community college) students automatically receive the grant.

The IFSA State School Grant may not be combined with the IFSA Minority Serving Institution Grant.

IFSA Minority Serving Institution Grant

All minority serving institution (MSI) school students will automatically receive a $2,000 grant for any IFSA semester program, or a $750 grant for any IFSA summer or January Term program. The grant will be applied to the overall education fees/housing costs during billing. There is no application process; students who attend a minority serving institution automatically receive the grant.

The IFSA Minority Serving Institution Grant may not be combined with the IFSA State School Grant.

Grants for HBCU Students

Designed to: Give students at historically black colleges and universities in the IFSA Global Leadership and Career Consortium (GLCC)* opportunities to study abroad.

Awards:

$5,000 grants for IFSA Career Accelerator programs for Fall 2026. Open to students at the public HBCUs listed below.
$3,500 grants for IFSA Career Accelerator programs for Fall 2026. Open to students at the private HBCUs listed below.
$3,500 grants for any IFSA Fall 2026 program. Open to students at all HBCUs listed below. Apply by March 1, 2026, for Fall 2026 programs.
$1,000 grants for any IFSA Summer 2026 program. Open to students at all HBCUs listed below. Deadlines vary.

To be considered: Start your program application in the IFSA Student Portal.

*IFSA Global Leadership and Career Consortium (GLCC) members:
Public HBCUs: Alcorn State University, Elizabeth City State University, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, North Carolina Central University, Prairie View A&M University, Southern University of New Orleans
Private HBCUs: Howard University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, Tuskegee University

To learn about joining the GLCC to open these benefits to your HBCU students, please contact Gretchen Cook Anderson.

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.

Students cannot combine the IFSA Quarter Program Grant with the IFSA Minority Serving Institution Grant.

IFSA Returning Alumni Grant

If you’ve been abroad with IFSA, you’re eligible for special savings with an IFSA Returning Alumni Grant!

Save $2,000 on an IFSA semester program
Save $1,250 on an IFSA quarter program
Save $500 on an IFSA summer or January program

IFSA Semester/Quarter/Year/January/Summer Program Alumni
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.

IFSA Custom or Faculty-led Program Alumni
To get started, ask your university study abroad office for a list of approved IFSA programs you can choose from. Then send us an email to get a special login to the IFSA Student Portal—and be sure to let us know you’ve traveled with IFSA on a custom or faculty-led program. Once you’ve accepted your new IFSA program agreement, the IFSA Returning Alumni Grant will be applied automatically.

The IFSA Returning Alumni Grant can be combined with the IFSA Minority Serving Institution Grant, the IFSA State School Grant, or the IFSA Quarter Program Grant.

IFSA Study Abroad Scholarships

IFSA General Scholarship Application Deadlines

Program Term	Deadline
Fall Semester / Quarter Academic Year Summer Term	March 1
January Term Winter Quarter Spring Semester / Quarter	October 1

Access the IFSA General Scholarship Instructions and Application in the IFSA Student Portal once you have started an application to study abroad with IFSA.

IFSA STudent Portal

IFSA First-Generation Scholarships

Designed to: Give first-generation college students a chance to benefit from the life-changing experience of studying abroad.

Awards: Up to $1,500 for January Term, Summer Term, and Quarter programs, and up to $2,500 for Semester and Academic/Calendar Year programs.

This achievement-based scholarship program offers first-generation college students significant financial, academic, and pre-professional support for study abroad on a January Term, Summer Term, Semester, or Academic/Calendar Year IFSA program.

Recipients receive up to $2,500 to help them cover the cost of airfare, visas and passports, and housing.

The airfare award is issued in the form of a flight voucher through ScholarTrip. Instructions on how to access flight vouchers are shared after you have contracted to your program.

Deadlines:

Summer Term, Fall Semester, Fall Quarter, and Academic Year Programs: March 1
January Term, Winter Quarter, Spring Semester, Spring Quarter, and Calendar Year Programs: October 1

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IFSA Gilman International Matching Scholarships

Designed to: Provide additional support for students with Pell Grants who want to study abroad.

Awards: Students who apply for a Gilman scholarship can receive up to $2,500 to study abroad for a semester with IFSA.

To be considered: Start your program application in the IFSA Student Portal. Then complete our scholarship application (also in the portal). Applicants must email FAFSA documentation and proof of application for a Gilman scholarship (such as a screen shot that shows your application was submitted) to scholarships@ifsa-butler.org.

Deadlines: Apply by March 1, 2026 for IFSA Fall 2026 programs.

IFSA Student Marketing Correspondents

Opportunities for Fall and Spring Terms

Are you a creative storyteller ready to inspire others to study abroad? As an IFSA Student Marketing Correspondent, you’ll earn a stipend while sharing your experience through photography, video, and digital storytelling. This is a wonderful opportunity to gain professional skills and boost your resume.

Designed to: Help students fund and gain valuable work experience from their study abroad program and enhance their experience. Open to all students who participate in a Fall Term or Spring Term program.

Awards: Stipend of $1000 is awarded via PayPal or direct deposit.

To Apply: All students who submit an IFSA study abroad application can view position and application details on our IFSA Marketing Correspondent page and will also receive an email invitation to apply. Invitations go out in November for Spring and June for Fall. This is a competitive award with limited spots.

LEARN MORE

Location-Specific Scholarships

IFSA offers numerous scholarships that reflect our strong relationship with overseas partners and honor the legacy of our colleagues and students. These scholarships are specific to certain programs or countries:

Australia

The University of Melbourne and IFSA have partnered to offer 10 Equity Scholarships each valued at $2,000 to study abroad at The University of Melbourne. Four awards are reserved for US Fall term and six awards for US Spring term. All students with demonstrated financial need or social and educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply.
To apply: Access the IFSA Scholarship Instructions and Application in the IFSA Student Portal, after you have started an application to The University of Melbourne.
Applications due: March 1 (fall program); October 1 (spring program)

The University of Sydney, IFSA, and Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) have partnered to offer an Equity Scholarship valued up to $10,000 to study abroad at The University of Sydney for the Spring 2026 semester. This scholarship includes a tuition grant of $7,500 and a travel grant of $2,500. While all students with financial need are encouraged to apply, preference is given to students of color, first-generation college students, and community college students. To check eligibility requirements and apply, visit the FEA website.

Applications due: February 4, 2026 (Fall and Academic Year 2026)

Ireland

Queen’s University Belfast offers The Norman Houston Award for 1 American citizen with high financial need studying abroad at the university. The award includes one semester of tuition, university accommodation, and air travel. 

To apply: Wait until your IFSA Queen’s University Belfast application has been submitted. Then, send an email with a personal statement, short video introducing yourself, and proof confirming financial need to the email address listed here.

Applications due: April 30 (fall); spring date not listed yet

Trinity College Dublin offers travel grants and scholarships between €1,000 and €2,000. Awards available to IFSA students include the Study Abroad STEM Scholarship, the Global Study Abroad Excellence Scholarships, and the Trinity College Dublin Generation Study Abroad Scholarship.

New Zealand

The University of Auckland offers several scholarships (up to $7,500) to help IFSA students cover some of the upfront costs of studying abroad. All interested students should apply; however, students with high-financial need and first-generation college students (neither parent has a four-year degree) will be given preference in the selection process. You must be applying to IFSA’s University of Auckland program in order to be considered.

The Upfront Auckland Scholarship covers the following expenses: Program deposit ($500), Airfare, and Cash (any remaining funding will be disbursed directly to you at the beginning of the program).

To apply: Complete the IFSA general scholarship within your IFSA Student Portal.

Applications due: March 1 (fall program); October 1 (spring program). Late applications for this scholarship might be considered if there’s funds remaining.

University of Canterbury: Canterbury awards multiple scholarships exclusively for IFSA students who attend the IFSA University of Canterbury Partnership program. Awards range from NZ$1,500 to NZ$2,200.

Awards are up to $2,000 USD.

To apply: Complete the IFSA general scholarship within your IFSA Student Portal.

Applications due: March 1 (fall program); October 1 (spring program)

University of Otago: Otago is offering IFSA first-generation college students the exclusive opportunity to apply for one of two, full housing scholarships available for Fall Term only.

To apply: Complete the IFSA general scholarship within your IFSA Student Portal.

Applications due: March 1 (fall program)

The Victoria University of Wellington Study Abroad Scholarship is open to all study abroad students at their school for a semester or year. The award is up to $575, with 15 winners selected each trimester, and goes towards your study abroad fees.

To apply: Go to the Victoria University of Wellington’s scholarship application page to see the application steps and to apply.

Applications due: May 1 (fall program), January 16 (spring program)

United Kingdom

The University of St. Andrews offers several scholarships up to $5,000 each semester for study abroad students, which can be used toward either housing or education fees. 

To apply: The University of St. Andrews emails all accepted study abroad students once their scholarship period opens. You will need to follow their instructions.

Applications due: By the deadlines set within the email from the University of St. Andrews

Other Scholarships

Scholarships such as the Boren Award, Freeman Asia Scholarship, and the Gilman International Scholarships are a competitive process—as they could include writing personal statements, having your Financial Aid Advisor and Study Abroad Advisor complete online sections, and possibly a professor’s recommendation letter. Many students with high financial need apply for these scholarships, so you are encouraged to coordinate with your study abroad office for support with these scholarship applications in advance of the deadlines.

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships

Designed to: Help students with Pell Grants make their dreams of studying abroad become reality.

Awards: Students who apply for a Gilman scholarship can receive up to $5,000 to study abroad. See IFSA Gilman International Matching Scholarships above for information on additional awards of up to $2,500.

To be considered: This award helps students with high financial need study abroad. The competitive scholarship process requires an essay that explains why you want to study abroad and a follow-up service project to encourage others to study abroad. To learn more about the award, please visit the Gilman Scholarship website.

Deadlines: Apply by March 5, 2026 for Summer 2026 and Fall 2026 programs.

Boren Scholarship Award

Designed to: Provide U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and are underrepresented in typical study abroad.

Awards: Up to $8,000 for Summer Term programs at least eight weeks in length (STEM students only); up to $12,500 for one Semester programs; or up to $25,000 for Academic or Calendar Year programs at the same location.

This award is focused on long-term linguistic and cultural immersion. Students who study abroad in the same location year round will have a higher chance of being selected but students can apply for the scholarship for one semester, as long as there is an emphasis on local immersion and language studies. To learn more about the award, please visit the Boren Awards website.

Deadline: Late January for upcoming Summer Term and Academic Year programs.

Freeman Asia Scholarship

Designed to: Assist students with demonstrated financial need study abroad in East or Southeast Asia.

Awards: Up to $3,000 for Summer Term programs; up to $5,000 for one Semester program; and up to $7,000 for an Academic or Calendar Year program.

This award is regional specific and will require a follow-up service project after returning home to help encourage other students to study abroad in the same region. For more information on how to apply, please visit the Freeman Asia website.

Deadlines: Late March for upcoming Summer Term and Academic Year programs.

Diverse International Women of Color Scholarship

The Diverse International Women of Color Scholarship (DIWC) is a $500 award designed specifically to assist women of color currently attending a U.S. college, who plan on studying abroad for at least 1 month in length.

To apply: Visit the DIWC webpage to access the scholarship form. You will also need to provide an unofficial transcript, personal statement and one recommendation letter.

Applications due: mid-April (summer programs), mid-July (fall or academic year programs), and mid-November (winter or spring programs)

Using Your Financial Aid

You can apply most federal financial aid toward study abroad. This includes financial programs like Guaranteed Student Loans (GSL/Stafford), Pell Grants, and Parent/PLUS Loans.

We recognize and support those who have served in our armed forces, and we are prepared to help facilitate your study abroad experience. Generally, veterans or their dependent students can apply the Post 9/11 GI Bill toward study abroad, although the amount will depend on the benefit type and whether study abroad is required for your major (in which case Veterans Affairs may pay more).

It’s important to speak with your financial aid officer and study abroad office early on to determine which scholarships, grants, loans, and other education fee-assistance programs are transferable from your home university. Institutional aid like presidential or endowed scholarships may not apply, but you may be able to fill that gap with one of IFSA’s many scholarship and financial aid programs. As part of our scholarship determination process, please be prepared to send us your home institution award letter.

Steps for Using Financial Aid for Study Abroad

1. Make a Financial Aid Appointment
While IFSA accepts any transfer of financial aid, we are not able to process it ourselves. This must be done by your home university. Your financial aid officer will be able to explain how much and what type of aid you can transfer and how you can get that process started. When you go to your appointment, make sure to bring:

Your most recent financial aid information
Your IFSA program fees (see your IFSA program page)
Your IFSA program estimated costs (like airfare, visas, etc., also on your IFSA program page)

2. Ask Your Financial Aid Officer for a Contractual/Consortium Agreement
IFSA has contractual/consortium with institutions whose students participate on our programs. With this agreement, IFSA will confirm your status as a full-time student on your program and your home school will approve your financial aid to transfer to your program fees. This form is the best way to guarantee that your aid will be transferred to IFSA.

3. Submit Your Payment Deferral Form to IFSA
If your financial aid won’t be dispersed until after the payment deadline, you’ll need to complete the Payment Deferral Form. Your financial aid officer will need to complete this and return it to IFSA directly.

4. Apply for IFSA Scholarships
IFSA offers a variety of scholarships and grants with varying deadlines and application processes. For all the possibilities, visit the Scholarships section of this page.

5. Payment Plan
Decide if you’d like to enroll in our monthly payment plan (Semester or Academic/Calendar Year Programs only). See Billing, Payments, and Refunds for complete details.

6. Pay Your Program Fees
If you’re not using the payment plan option or deferring your payment to wait for financial aid, make sure to note the payment deadline for your program! You can see this when you log into the IFSA Student Portal.

Questions?
For payment questions or assistance, please contact our IFSA Finance Team

Managing Upfront Costs

Some of the most immediate costs of study abroad can be the most daunting. Processing charges like housing deposits and airfare can be the most burdensome for your budget—especially when you’re dependent on financial aid to cover program costs. In an effort to help you pay those over time, and to minimize the stress of all those out-of-pocket expenses, IFSA is pleased to offer the UpFront Advance. Inspired by our award-winning partner, the University of Minnesota’s Bridging Loan program, UpFront allows you to bill certain fees to your IFSA student account. You can then pay these expenses with financial aid or with our monthly payment option.

IFSA Upfront Advance

The IFSA Upfront Advance covers the following expenses:

Airfare
Program deposit ($500)

This program is available for any IFSA Semester and Academic/Calendar Year program. Download the Upfront Advance Request Form and complete the instructions to apply.

Upfront Auckland Scholarship

The Upfront Auckland Scholarship covers the following expenses: Program deposit ($500), Airfare, and Cash (any remaining funding will be disbursed directly to you at the beginning of the program)

To Apply: To apply for the Upfront Auckland Scholarship, first complete an IFSA application for the University of Auckland. The scholarship will then appears as an option within your IFSA Student Portal.

Applications due: March 1 (fall and academic year programs); October 1 (spring program). Late applications for this scholarship might be considered if there’s funds remaining.