This year, there are several former foster youth who are seeking to study abroad:

– What could be done in the future to fund future Study Abroad options for former foster youth?
– Could we inform and inspire entities to care about this (family privilege) issue and be willing to invest?

In the meantime, we have begun compiling lists of scholarships:

AIFS Abroad
American Institute for Foreign Study awards are available for students seeking both summer and semester study programs. In most cases, students have to enroll in one of their study abroad programs.

AAUW Fellowships and Grants
The American Association of University Women is focused on empowering women from all of the globe. They provide over 200 fellowships and grants each year, some of which focus on study abroad.

Benjamin Gilman International Scholarship
This scholarship is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State. This program encourages students to conduct STEM-related research and/or study languages abroad as part of their study abroad or international internship program. Deadlines are in March and October.

CEA CAPA Study Abroad Scholarships
CEA CAPA is committed to increasing access to study and interning abroad through scholarships, affiliations, and grant programs. Students have to enroll in one of their study abroad programs. Deadlines are in April, May and December.

CIEE Study Abroad Scholarships and Grants
The Council on International Educational Exchange offers multiple scholarships and grants focused toward providing minority students from the United States with the financial means to study abroad. They also offer merit-based scholarships for funding assistance. Applicants are required to submit an outline of academic achievements, proof of financial need, a personal statement essay, and letters of recommendation.

Critical Language Scholarship
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State provides American students with the opportunity to enjoy fully-funded overseas summer language and cultural immersion programs through the awarding of Critical Language Scholarships (CLS) each year. Applicants are selected based on their commitment to studying non-traditional languages abroad, including Arabic, Japanese, Swahili, and Russian. The Critical Language Scholarship is only open to American undergraduate and graduate students.

Fulbright U.S. Student Program
This program provides grants to selected individuals to work, live, and learn for one academic year in a foreign country. There are two types of grants provided through this program: Study/Research and English Teaching Assistant.

Fund for Education Abroad
This resource was founded in 2010 and provides study abroad scholarships to students with financial need who are underrepresented among the U.S. study abroad population. Here’s a link to details about applications and eligibility. Deadlines are in January and October.

Golden Key Scholarships
The Golden Key International Honor Society is the world’s largest collegiate honor society for graduate and undergraduate students. They offer multiple scholarships with various deadlines.

SIT Study Abroad
The School for International Training offers a wide range of scholarships and grants that can be applied toward the costs of tuition and housing accommodation for students during their time abroad. Students have to enroll in one of their study abroad programs. Deadlines are in April, May and November.

USAC Scholarships
The University Studies Abroad Consortium awards scholarships, grants and discounts three times a year. Students have to enroll in one of their study abroad programs. Deadlines are in March, May and October.