Study Abroad Scholarships

There is a wide vareity of study abroad scholarships are available to UCI students. Award amounts, deadlines, eligibility, and application requirements vary by scholarship.  Some scholarship deadlines are before program application deadlines, and many scholarships even allow you to apply before being accepted to your program!

Click to Jump to…

UCI Scholarships

Various UCI departments offer scholarships study abroad scholarships or general scholarships that can be applied to study abroad programs. Review the information below to preview eligibility, application requirements, and deadlines. Some may be used for summer programs.  

UCI Study Abroad Center Scholarships Eligibility Award Amount Application Period
Study Abroad Inclusive Excellence Scholarship

The Study Abroad Inclusive Excellence Scholarship was created by the Study Abroad Center in partnership with the Office of Global Engagement to support UCI’s commitment to diversity and inclusive excellence. The scholarship provides financial assistance to UCI students to study and/or intern abroad to broaden their global and personal experiences. May be used for summer programs.

Contact studyabroad@uci.edu for more information.
  • Full-time, degree-seeking UCI undergraduate and graduate students
  • Minimum GPA of 2.5 and not on academic probation
  • Completed at least one quarter of academic study at UCI
  • Applying to a UCI-approved study abroad or internship abroad program (in-person or virtual)
  • Returning to UCI for at least 1 quarter after their study abroad experience
  • Willing to engage in study abroad outreach activities
 $500 – $2,000 At this time, due to lack of funding, we are unable to offer this scholarship. We hope to offer it in the future, but we do not know when that may be.
UCI Friends of Study Abroad Scholarship

The Friends of Study Abroad Scholarship supports UCI students with demonstrated financial need participating in programs during the academic year. These scholarships are funded by gifts from UCI Study Abroad Alumni and international education supporters. These funds will go to student Zot Accounts to help alleviate costs owed to the campus to help students fund their study abroad trips (airfare, books, trips while abroad, etc.)

Contact studyabroad@uci.edu for more information.
  • Applying to a UCEAP, an independent program, or a UC Davis Quarter abroad program during the academic year
  • Taking at least one course abroad which fulfills a UCI degree requirement
  • Returning to UCI for at least 1 quarter after their study abroad experience
  • Financial aid recipient

Additional criteria included on the application form

 $500 – $1000 At this time, due to lack of funding, we are unable to offer this scholarship. We hope to offer it in the future, but we do not know when that may be.

UCI Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (OFAS) Eligibility Award Amount Application Period
General Scholarships

OFAS supports and connects students to campus-wide and external scholarships, some of which can be applied to UC programs abroad even if they aren’t explicitly for studying abroad. For UCEAP and Other UC Programs only.

  • Complete online applications through UCI My Aid
  • Scholarships with separate applications will have details about application submission

Contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for more information.
  • Varies
 Varies Varies
Swedish Women’s Educational Association International (SWEA) Scholarship

This external scholarship is co-managed by the UCI Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships (OFAS) for UCEAP applicants seeking to study abroad in Sweden. Refer to the SWEA scholarship brochure and review the Application form. Contact the UCI Scholarship Department at scholarships@uci.edu for more information and advising.
  • Applying to a UCEAP program in Sweden
  • See the SWEA application for more eligibility requirements
 Up to $5,000 Varies by term
UCI School of Humanities UCEAP Scholarship

This scholarship is offered by the School of Humanities through the OFAS Scholarship Application.

Contact the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for more information.
  • First-generation School of Humanities major
  • Applying to participate in a UCEAP program
  • See application materials for more eligibility requirements
 $1,500 January 3-31

UCI Scholarship Opportunities Program (SOP) Eligibility Award Amount Application Period
Killam Fellowship Scholarship

This external scholarship is administered by the UCI Scholarship Opportunities Program for UCI students applying to study abroad at McGill University in Canada for one semester or a full academic year through UCEAP. Contact the UCI Scholarship Opportunities Program at scholars@uci.edu or 949-824-0189 to learn more about the application process, eligibility, and deadline.
  • Applying to a UCEAP McGill University, Canada for one semester or a full academic year
  • See scholarship application materials for more eligibility requirements
 $5,000 – $10,000 September – January

UCEAP and Other UC Scholarships

If you are participating in a UCEAP or Other UC program, there may be scholarships available from your program provider. Review the program website for more information including availability, eligibility, application requirements, and deadlines. Some may be used for summer programs.  

UCEAP and Other UC Scholarships Eligibility Award Amount
UCEAP Scholarships

UCEAP offers over 10+ scholarships for program participants as well as awards for when you return. Some may be used for summer programs.
  • Enrolled in a degree program at a UC campus
  • Applying to a UCEAP program
  • See UCEAP scholarship application for more eligibility requirements.
 $500 – $8,000
Other UC Scholarships

Other UC Study Abroad Programs may offer scholarships for participants. Check the program webpages for information about scholarships administered by their office/campus.
  • Varies by scholarship and campus
 Varies

External Scholarships

These scholarships are offered by a variety of organizations, companies, and institutions. Visit the scholarship websites for more information including eligibility, application requirements, and deadlines. Some may be used for summer programs.  If you are applying for a scholarship that requires a campus certifier, please use the information below.

External Scholarships
Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship
Provides funding for students with limited financial means to study or intern abroad. Must be a U.S citizen and receive a Federal Pell Grant to be eligible. See the scholarship link for additional eligibility requirements and details. May be used for summer programs.Campus certifiers: Bonnie Hooes (bchooes@uci.edu) or Chrissy Schmid (schmidca@uci.edu). Financial aid certifier: Use any UCI financial aid advisor
Boren Awards
Provides funding for U.S. undergraduates seeking to study abroad in regions critical to U.S. interests, develop advanced proficiency in a critical language, and pursue a Federal Government career that contributes to national security (broadly defined).Campus certifier: Jeanne d’Arc Gomis (jagomis@uci.edu)
Critical Language Scholarship Program (CLS)
The CLS Program is an intensive overseas summer language and cultural immersion program for American students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. The CLS Program covers most of the costs of participating in its overseas institutes. See the scholarship link for additional eligibility requirements and details.
Freeman-Asia Award
The Freeman-Asia award provides scholarships for undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia. May be used for summer programs. See the scholarship link for additional eligibility requirements and details. Campus certifier: Chrissy Schmid (schmidca@uci.edu)
Fund for Education Abroad Scholarships
Provides funding for underrepresented U.S students who wish to study abroad, including students with financial need, community college, and first-generation college students. Some may be used for summer programs. See the scholarship link for additional eligibility requirements and details.
Independent Program Scholarships
Many Independent Program Providers (IES, SIT, SAI, CEA, Semester at Sea, API, etc) offer their own scholarships. Check with the program provider or visit their websites for more information.

Scholarship Databases

There are many free scholarship databases that provide lists of study abroad scholarships and general scholarships that can be used for study abroad. Check out the databases below for a starting point.

Scholarship Database Description
UC Davis Global Learning Hub Free list of study abroad funding sources. Some scholarships only apply to UCD students. Check “UC Wide” and “Other” under the “Source of Award” filter
Studyabroad.com Free list of study abroad scholarships
IIE Free database of study abroad scholarships, fellowships, and grants (check student” on the left)
Diversity Abroad Scholarships & Grants Free database of scholarships that focuses on supporting minority, low-income, and first-generation students
GoOverseas.com Free list of study abroad scholarships

Scholarship Database Description
Black Excel One of the largest scholarship and resource databases for African American students
CareerOneStop U.S. Department of Labor’s free scholarship search tool
College Board Free online scholarship database
FastWeb Free online scholarship database
Scholarships.com Free college scholarship search and financial aid information resource

Scholarship Application Support

The UCI Study Abroad Center can review your scholarship essays for overall feedback. E-mail your scholarship essays directly to your Study Abroad Advisor for review – allow at least 2 business days (M-F) for a response.

The UCI Center for Excellence in Writing & Communication can help you with help with writing, grammar, and more via writing specialist appointments, peer tutoring, and email consults.

Contact Information:
193 Science Library
(949) 824-8949
writing-center@uci.edu