Advice on funding sources and scholarships for study abroad.
Begin to research scholarships AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE! Look for scholarships in fall as you work on your application for study abroad. Many have very early deadlines, so don't wait until you received your acceptance letter to get started. It may be too late by then.
Willamette Financial Aid
- Students approved for Willamette-sponsored study abroad programs will remain enrolled as a full-time students during their study abroad. WU financial aid will apply as it would if you were on campus.
- Students receiving financial aid at Willamette should consult with a financial aid advisor to determine if they have any additional eligibility that can be used toward their study abroad program.
Willamette University (all locations) Internal Scholarships
Need-based scholarships:
The Office of Financial Aid administers two study abroad scholarships for students who file a FAFSA and who are determined to have financial need:
Bernice Jackson Hoffman Scholarship*
(Foreign Language Majors only)
Submit applications to: Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships
Deadline for Fall and Academic Year programs: Due mid-April
Deadline for Spring programs: Due mid-October
Applications and specific due dates will be distributed at the mandatory General Orientation sessions for WU study abroad.
You must be:
- A foreign language major
- Officially accepted to WU-sponsored study abroad program
- Studying abroad in the upcoming semester
Richard and Elizabeth Yocom Scholarship*
(All majors - but note foreign language majors should apply for the Jackson Hoffman )
Submit applications to: Office of Financial Aid
Deadline for Fall and Academic Year programs: Due mid-April
Deadline for Spring programs: Due mid-October
Applications and specific due dates will be distributed at the mandatory General Orientation sessions for WU study abroad.
You must be:
- Majoring in any subject, except for foreign languages
- Officially accepted to WU-sponsored study abroad program
- Studying abroad in the upcoming semester
*NOTE: Students should only apply to the Jackson Hoffman Scholarship or to the Yocom Scholarship, but should NOT apply to both.
Ainsworth International Scholarship
(Open to all majors)
The Office of International Education administers the Ainsworth International Scholarship for students approved for WU-sponsored study abroad programs who have financial need. Please see the application for specific eligibility. The amount varies but has been around $500. Multiple awards are given.
Submit applications to: Use the WU application portal to complete and submit your application.
Deadline: Eligible to apply as soon as you are notified by OIE of acceptance for a WU Sponsored program. The deadline usually falls in early March and is announced at the same time as decision notices are released.
You must be:
- Majoring in any subject
- Officially accepted to WU-sponsored study abroad
- Studying abroad in the next year (applications accepted only once per year)
Merit-based grants:
Center for Ancient Studies and Archaeology (CASA) Field School Scholarships
The Center for Ancient Studies and Archaeology at Willamette offers up to two annual grants to enable Willamette University undergraduate students to participate in a study abroad program focusing on the study of ancient history, languages and civilizations by participating in a suitable study abroad program.
See CASA website for more information.
Other Willamette University Resources
- Consult one of the many scholarships and grants resource books in the library (ask a reference librarian to help you).
- The Office of Financial Aid, located on the third floor of the UC, may also have information about travel grants for use abroad.
- Carson Undergraduate Research Grant: Grants are available for research; students often use these for research projects abroad. Check with the office of Student Academic Grants and Awards for information.
Beyond these Willamette resources, consider searching for scholarships and grants through the embassies and consulates of specific countries, services organizations, and on web search engines.
Country-Specific Scholarships/Funding Sources
Japan: Bridging Scholarship
Scholarships for students going to Japan from the Association of Teachers of Japanese. For spring programs, expect an October deadline to apply. Recipients of Bridging Scholarships will receive stipends of $2,500 or $4,000, depending on the length of their study program in Japan.
Japan: JASSO
Scholarships available through the Japanese government for study in Japan. Information is available on the web page for Kansai Gaidai University. For the JSP program in Kawagoe, we will be notified by TIU each year as to whether these scholarships will be available for study at TIU or not. See the website for information about availability at other Japanese universities.
United Kingdom: British Marshall Scholarship
Scholarships for study in the United Kingdom, open to graduating seniors. See WU's Student Academics Grants and Awards for nomination information.
United Kingdom: Rhodes Scholarships
Scholarships for study at Oxford, England, open to graduating seniors. See WU's Student Academics Grants and Awards for nomination information.
National Study Abroad Scholarships
Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship
Gilman International Scholarship Program, open to study abroad students who receive federal Pell grants. Awards available for summer (programs of 3 weeks or longer), fall/spring semesters and academic year study abroad. See website for more information about eligibility, application processes and deadlines.
- Summer and fall deadlines are usually early March.
- Spring deadlines are usually early October.
Boren (NSEP) Scholarship
The Boren awards provide funding to U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who are pursuing international and language study in world regions critical to U.S. interests, such as Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Boren Scholarships for undergraduate students provide up to $20,000 for study abroad, while the Boren Fellowship for graduate students can provide up to $30,000 for language study and international research. In return for funding, recipients commit to working for the federal government for at least one year after the completion of their education. See WU's Student Academics Grants and Awards for nomination information.
Freeman-ASIA Scholarship
Freeman-ASIA (Freeman Awards for Study in Asia) is designed to support U.S.-based undergraduates with demonstrated financial need who are planning to study overseas in East or Southeast Asia. The scholarship provides need-based funding to assist the recipient with the cost of the study abroad program and related expenses, including airfare, basic living costs, local transportation, books, etc. Semester awards are up to $5,000 and academic year awards are up to $7,000.
Fund for Education Abroad
The Fund for Education Abroad is a non-profit organization committed to increasing the opportunities for students to participate education abroad programs through a variety of grants and scholarships. These scholarships can be applied towards semester, year-long or summer programs. Students from underrepresented groups in study abroad are strongly encouraged to apply. These include, but are not limited to: minority students, first-generation college students, community college students, students with disabilities, veterans and returning learners. They have also had a dedicated scholarships for LGBTQ students. U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
NOTE: The application deadline is VERY EARLY. Review their site while you are in your study abroad application process at WU so you don't miss the deadline.
Fulbright Grants
Open to graduating seniors and above. See WU's Student Academics Grants and Awards for nomination information.
Other Study Abroad Scholarship/Funding Sources
Go Overseas.com
In an effort to empower everyone to engage in meaningful travel, Go Overseas.com is providing one $500 scholarship to anyone who wants to study and/or intern abroad. See the website for more information about the application process and deadlines.
Study Abroad Funding
This is a great search engine for study abroad scholarships. Use the search feature on the left side of the page. (Please note that some of these scholarships are only available to students who participate in the scholarship provider's program.)
Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship
The Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship is awarded biannually to passionate students who want to explore the world. One award of $1,000, plus one travel backpack, will be awarded per semester. Currently the scholarship is limited to fall and spring semester programs (not summer).
Scholarship Portal .eu
A search engine for scholarships for study in Europe.
CIEE
Council on International Educational Exchange Travel Grants for Educational Programs in the Third World. For Willamette students, this opportunity is open only to students participating in a CIEE program, and therefore does not cover any Willamette programs. However, it will cover Willamette endorsed programs sponsored by CIEE in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.