UMass Boston

The Education Abroad Engagement fee is a mandatory, student-voted fee, used as a scholarship fund for UMass students managed by the Office of Global Programs. Students participating in university-approved, credit-bearing travel experiences, including study abroad, international internships & research, can apply for funding. The Undergraduate Flight Fund accepts applications on a rolling basis, and available funding will be awarded on a rolling basis as funding permits. Apply early for the best chance at funding.

Applications Open: June 1 for travel in Winter or Spring; January 1 for Summer or Fall Programs 

• Priority Deadlines*: September 15 for travel in Winter or Spring; February 15 for Summer or Fall Programs 

• Final Deadlines: October 15 for travel in Winter or Spring programs; March 15 for Summer or Fall Programs 

*it is highly recommended to apply by the priority deadline as available funds are awarded on a rolling basis 

In order to apply, students must be:

• Matriculated undergraduate student during the experience abroad
• Approved to travel on a university-approved program (must have applied & completed all requirements by the Office of Global Programs)
• Attending a credit-bearing program abroad (program must award academic credit for experience)
• Recipients of this award will be required to submit a post-experience reflection that will be shared with the university leadership and may be used for promotion of your program to future students. 

Preferred selection:

• Students with demonstrated financial need
• Students eligible for a Pell Grant
• Have not received the UMass Boston Education Abroad Engagement Flight Fund award previously

Selection criteria: 

• Selection is based on committee review of applications on a rolling basis.
• Students will be awarded on a rolling basis until all funds are exhausted each cycle. Not all students who apply will receive funding.
• Selection is decided based on financial need (preferred selection) & application merit (connection of program to academic/career plan clearly articulated by student applicant)

Award amounts:

• Scholarship award amounts vary from $500-$1,500 per award
• Award amounts are based on the destination's estimated flight costs & application strength

Application Information: This new funding will be available & annouced starting in February 2026 and will be open to students who plan to attend an approved program abroad in Summer 2026, Fall 2026, or Academic Year 2026-2027. The deadline for this cycle will be March 1, 2026.

Students looking for programs starting in January 2027 or later can apply in the next cycle, opening on June 1, 2026 with a final deadline of October 1, 2026.

Application Documents: Students will fill out the online application below and upload the following documents:

1. Confirmation of a program application that has been submitted to the Office of Global Programs
2. Education Abroad Engagement Fund Flight Award Financial Aid Worksheet
3. Application Essay (Maximum 750 words) Be sure to answer all of the following in your essay:
   • Describe your personal, academic, or professional motivations for studying abroad and how this experience fits into your goals at this time. Include what you hope to gain from this experience. You may also discuss any preparation, experiences, or challenges that have shaped your interest in studying abroad.
   • Why is your selected program and location a strong fit for your academic and long-term goals? Describe why you chose this specific program, including the city and country, and how its academic, cultural, or experiential components align with your course of study and future plans. Be specific about what you hope to gain from this particular program.
   • Describe your financial need for this flight scholarship and how receiving this funding would impact your ability to participate in your education abroad program. 

Apply Here (Opens February 2026)

Do you have an internship, research project, or study-abroad opportunity this summer but lack the funds? Then apply for a UMass Boston Beacon Student Success Fellowship!

Eligible summer experiences:

If you are an undergraduate student in good academic standing who is returning to the university at least part-time in the following fall semester:

1. Follow the guidelines provided in the Application Check List.
2. For more information check out Handshake and refer to the “Resources” link under the "Career Center" tab for additional resources.
3. Refer to the BSSF FAQ Sheet for frequently asked questions about the Beacon Student Success Fellowship.

Applications typically open in February/March each year, with a deadline in late-March. Awards are announced in late May.

The Office of Global Programs Blog Internship is available to University of Massachusetts Boston students pursuing study abroad. This internship is designed to assist students with travel expenses during their time abroad while giving experience to students writing, e-blogging, and advising future students. The awarded students will be required to submit blog posts during their time abroad to UMass Boston which will be published on the Study Abroad Blog site: https://umbstudyabroadalumni.wordpress.com/ The application for the Blog Internship is located in your program application on the UMass Boston study abroad site (ViaTrm). You must upload your application by the deadlines below.

Upcoming Deadlines: 

• April 15, 2026 for Summer 2026, Fall 2026, or Academic Year (AY) 2026-2027 programs
• November 15, 2026 for Winter 2027 or Spring 2027 programs

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. To be eligible for the Gilman Program, applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship.

Award Amounts:

• Up to $5,000 for a study abroad program
• If doing STEM-related research, supplemental application for an additional $1,000
• If studying a Critical Need Language, supplemental application for an additional $3,000 

Deadlines: Two application cycle's each year

• First Thursday in October
• First Thursday in March

Students can study and intern abroad during the spring, summer, fall, winter, or academic year term. Refer to each term for specific dates on the deadlines and timelines for the application cycle. It is important that students apply for the correct scholarship term according to their program dates in order to be considered for the Gilman Scholarship. Please be aware that the application deadline is in Pacific Time (PT) and take into consideration any time difference as you prepare to submit your application. Late applications are not accepted.

Download the Gilman Essay Worksheet to help you get started in your application!

The John S. McCain International Scholarship for Military Families (Gilman-McCain Scholarship) provides awards of $5,000 for child and spousal dependents of active or activated United States military personnel during the time of application (including Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, Army, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy, Navy Reserve, Space Force, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and USPHS Commissioned Corps) to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs. Applicants must be recipients of any type of Title IV federal financial aid during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving Title IV federal financial aid during their study abroad program or internship.

Award Details: 

The Gilman-McCain Scholarship recipients are awarded $5,000 to be used toward the cost of study abroad or international internship programs. Students studying critical need languages are eligible for a supplemental award up to $3,000, and students conducting STEM research abroad are eligible for a supplemental award up to $1,000.

The Fund for Education Abroad invests in deserving U.S. undergraduates who are least likely to study abroad. More than 100 volunteer reviewers read applications each cycle. In partnership with them, we consider financial need, demographic factors, and academic plan and preparedness to decide our scholarship recipients.

The Boren Awards provide unique funding opportunities for U.S. undergraduate & graduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests, and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. 

In exchange for funding, Boren Awards recipients commit to working in the federal government for at least one year after graduation. Preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate a longer term commitment to government service. 

Boren Scholarships: Fund study abroad by U.S. undergraduate students in world regions critical to U.S. interests.

• Maximum awards are determined by duration abroad:
• Up to $25,000 for 25-52 weeks (preferred)
• Up to $12,500 for 12-24 weeks
• Up to $8,000 for 8-11 weeks (STEM majors only)

Boren Fellowships: Fund research and language study proposals by U.S. graduate students in world regions critical to U.S. interests.

• Maximum awards are determined by duration abroad:
• Up to $25,000 for 25-52 weeks (preferred)
• Up to $12,500 for 12-24 weeks
• + Up to $12,000 for domestic language study (optional)

Recommended: Attend a Webinar to learn about the program

To apply for the Boren Scholarship or Fellowship: meet with the Fellowships Office at UMass Boston, who will give you the UMass Boston campus deadlines for the Boren, and help you through the process to apply.

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program partners with universities and nonprofits around the globe to provide cohorts of U.S. students an opportunity to study the language and culture in a country/location where the target language is commonly spoken. CLS scholars are expected to continue their language study beyond the scholarship and apply their critical language skills in their future careers.

Eligibility Requirements: Deadline in November each year for the next summer term. 

Program Structure

CLS Program institutes cover approximately one academic year of university-level language coursework during an eight- to ten-week program and are designed to meet the needs of students from a variety of language levels and backgrounds. Some CLS institutes require one to two years of prior language study (or the equivalent), while others accept students with no prior background in the language.

The Diverse International Women Of Color Study Abroad Scholarship is intended to assist women of color who are exceptional in their studies and in need of financial assistance to study abroad.

DIWC will award $500 scholarships to women of color who have been accepted to an In-Person Study Abroad Program. 

Eligibility Information: https://diwcfund.org/diwc-faqs/

Deadlines:

• Summer: Deadline typically mid-April
• Fall: Deadline typically mid-July
• Spring: Deadline typically mid-November

Apply to scholarships, read guides on studying in specific countries, and sign up to be the first to know when a new opportunity arises. Every year Go Overseas awards over $175,000 in scholarships. Scholarships change each year, such as a free round-trip flight to New Zealand for study abroad students, semester in Ireland scholarships, etc. Check the website for any open scholarships. 

Also See Go Overseas 50 Study Abroad Scholarships and Grants to Apply For! 

Other Scholarship Opportunities, Resources, & More: https://www.gooverseas.com/scholarships

General Federation of Women's Clubs of Massachusetts Scholarship offers an International Study Abroad Scholarship for undergraduate or graduate study abroad, starting at $500. The award is to be used for a 12-credit Summer Session, Semester, or Full-Year Program. Deadline is in early-March each year. Must have legal residence in Massachusetts to apply.

Explore ISEP’s scholarship opportunities aimed at helping you with your study abroad expenses on ISEP Programs.

ISEP Community Scholarship

You are eligible for this scholarship if you are from an ISEP Member or Affiliate Institution and have demonstrated financial need. The ISEP Community Scholarship supports our mission of extending access and affordability to all students within the ISEP Community.

Learn More

ISEP Social Mobility Scholarship

The ISEP Social Mobility Scholarship is designed to assist students placed in an ISEP program who do not have sufficient funds to cover the upfront costs of studying abroad. You are eligible for this scholarship if you are from an ISEP Member or Affiliate Institution and have demonstrated financial need.

Learn More

Samantha Gross Memorial Accessibility Scholarship

The Samantha Gross Memorial Accessibility Scholarship is dedicated to advancing accessibility for students with specific disabilities, ensuring they have the opportunity to experience the transformative benefits of international education. You may be eligible for this scholarship if you have a disability or disabilities and have demonstrated financial need.

Learn More

ISEP Africa for All Scholarship

ISEP is proud to serve our members in Africa by encouraging student participation in our broad array of programs across the continent. The ISEP Africa for All Scholarship is intended to make these programs more inclusive and accessible to students attending HBCUs and heritage-seeking students.

Learn More

ISEP French and German Language Annette Kade Fund Scholarship

You may be eligible for this scholarship if you are a student at one of ISEP’s Member or Affiliate Institutions in the U.S. and are planning to study in French or German at an ISEP host institution in Austria, France, Germany, Reunion Island or Switzerland. These scholarships are available to students with demonstrated financial need and an expressed interest in learning French or German while studying abroad.

Learn More

Also check for specific ISEP Member Institution Scholarships listed on their website:

• Kansai Gaidai University Merit Scholarship
• London Metropolitan’s Study Abroad Diversity Scholarship
• Massey University Scholarships
• Friends of the University of Auckland US/NZ Exchange Awards
• Vice Chancellor’s Scholarship for Diversity in Study Abroad
• Global Korea Scholarship Program

CIEE Program Study Abroad Scholarships & Grants

AIFS Program Grant & Scholarship Page

SIT Study Abroad awards need-based scholarships and grants. We do not offer merit-based awards at this time. Average awards range between $500 and $5,000 for our semester programs, and between $500 and $3,000 for our summer programs. Our scholarships and grants are available to all students accepted into an SIT Study Abroad program irrespective of citizenship, national origin, or home school.

Worldstrides Programs Scholarships & Grants

• Blakemore Asian Language Fellowships This program funds a year of advanced study of an Asian language in Asia for American citizens and permanent residents of the United States who have a degree and who plan to use an Asian language in their careers.
• Freeman Awards for Study in Asia (Freeman-ASIA) provides scholarships for U.S. undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia. Created to assist U.S. students with demonstrated financial need and limited prior experience in East and Southeast Asia.

The Hildreth Latin American Travel Fellowship

The Robert Hildreth Latin America Internship Award provides approximately $3,000-$5000 for undergraduate students to travel and conduct research in Latin American or Caribbean countries.  Email: Lorna.Rivera@umb.edu for more information. https://www.umb.edu/gaston-institute/core-programs/robert-hildreth-award/   Due May 2025.

Current agreements include Facultad Latinoamericana De Ciencias Sociales (FLACSO) in Ecuador, University of Quintana Roo and Sistema de Universidades Estatales de Oaxaca (SUNEO) in Mexico, Fundación Vínculos in Bogotá, Colombia. Please contact us if you are interested in another country, to find out if we have institutional relationships.

SABE (San Andrés Building Excellence) scholarship for undergraduate international students interested in studying in the Program in Latin American Studies at Universidad de San Andrés in Buenos Aires, Argentina for the Mar-Jul 2017 or Aug-Dec 2017 semesters. Partial and complete tuition scholarships (full tuition is $8000 USD) will be awarded based both on merit and need. The deadline to apply for the program and for the scholarship is Oct. 15 for semester 1 (March- July) and April 15 for semester 2 (August- December).  

Killam Undergraduate Fellowships for Americans offered by the Canada Fulbright Program. The program provides an opportunity for exceptional undergraduate students from universities in the United States to spend either one semester or a full academic year as an exchange student in Canada. Applicants must be U.S. citizens; full-time undergraduate students in good standing at a fully accredited degree granting college or university in the United States.

Chinese Government Scholarship: awards are intended for undergraduate students to study one academic year in Chinese language combined with a selection of academic subjects,  attending AASCU member institutions in China (U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents). 

Walter Jensen Scholarship for Study Abroad: Awarded to a future teacher of French to help pay for a semester or a year studying French abroad in an accredited program in any Francophone country. Student must be currently enrolled in an established teacher education program in French and must be sponsored by a member of the American Association of Teachers of French. Awards are based on financial need and can be used to cover tuition, fees, travel, or housing costs.

• The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals (CBYX) is a fellowship funded by the German Bundestag and U.S. Department of State, that annually provides 75 American and 75 German young professionals, between the ages of 18-24, the opportunity to spend one year in each other’s countries, studying, interning, and living with hosts on a cultural immersion program.  This funded fellowship opportunity annually covers basic living costs for all 150 participants.
• DAAD Scholarships for graduate and undergraduate study in Germany
• DAAD RISE Germany Summer Research Internships in Science and Engineering: Match with a university in Germany on specific research interests in STEM. Provides a monthly stipend for three months to help cover living costs. It also includes international travel costs. You must be a sophomore or above at the time of the internship, and German language skills are not required.
• DAAD German Studies Research Grant: Offers German Studies Research Grants to highly-qualified undergraduate and graduate students who are nominated by their department/program chairs. The grant may be used for short-term research (one to two months) in Germany

• Bridging Scholarship: The Bridging Project offers scholarships to American undergraduate students participating in study-abroad programs in Japan. The United States-Japan Bridging Foundation funds scholarships through AATJ to help students study abroad in Japan for a semester or an academic year.
• Japanese Student Service Organization (JASSO) This program offers scholarships for international students who have interest in studying in Japan. There are many scholarships provided by various organizations that collaborate with JASSO. Deadlines are dependent on the host school in Japan. 
• US-Japan Council Toshizo Watanabe Endowed Scholarship Fund: Provides financial assistance (up to the full cost of attendance) to undergraduate and graduate students for a semester or year-long study abroad program in either the United States or Japan. Can be any credit-bearing university in Japan. Application deadline in March each year.

Go Overseas & Education New Zealand BIPOC Flight Scholarship- US citizens who identify as BIPOC can apply for a $1,500 free round trip flight to New Zealand to Study Abroad. Deadline is February 15, 2024! 

USINDO Summer Scholarship: An intensive 10-week language & culture studies fellowship held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia for U.S. university students and recent graduates.

• Pescosolido Family Scholarship Foundation, Inc.: scholarships for study at accredited and acceptable educational institutions in Italy. Applicants should be residents of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and have exhibited ability and serious interest in, or commitment to, the study of the Italian language along with the civilization, culture and history of Italy. It is awarded once a year. The deadline is about the middle of May. 
• Catherine Frisone Scott Center for Italian Cultural Studies at UMass Boston Travel Grant: Will you be traveling to Italy on a UMass Boston-approved program or for an independent project? If so, you are eligible to apply for a grant that you can put toward the cost of that program and travel. Winners will be listed on the Center’s webpage and Facebook page. Grants will be for $500.

The Korea Society Undergraduate Korea Study Abroad Grant 

Given the Society’s commitment to promoting a greater awareness, understanding and cooperation between the people of the U.S. and Korea, this travel grant, initiated in fall 2023, has been created to ensure a wide-range of undergraduate students have the opportunity to study and live in Korea. However, for some the high cost of travel to and from Korea can present a significant burden and personal funding for travel within the country can be nonexistent. Therefore this travel ‘topping off’ grant has been developed to defray travel expenses for students who would normally struggle financially to realize the life-changing experience of studying abroad, the soft-skill development which future employers want and, most importantly, the chance to cultivate an in-person understanding of Korea, a country of strategic importance to the U.S.

Eligibility Requirements

* Be enrolled as an undergraduate student in an accredited U.S. college or university.
* Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.
* Demonstrate a strong interest in Korea.
* Demonstrate financial need and a compelling explanation of how the travel grant award is important to them personally.
* Intend to enroll (or be enrolled) in a full academic study abroad term in fall 2024 or a full academic year studying abroad in Korea.

Benefits:

* Travel grant of up to $2,000 USD awarded directly to the student.
* Upon returning to the U.S., an opportunity to participate in a panel discussion offered by the Society with other grantees to share insights on the value of studying abroad in the Republic of Korea.

Fall deadlines typically in April-June, Spring deadlines typically in November-December

Learn More and Apply: https://www.koreasociety.org/education/study-abroad

UAM Exchange Student Erasmus+ Scholarship: If you are applying to the UAM Exchange Program, we are able to nominate 1 student for a Erasmus Scholarship in Fall 2024 or Spring 2025. The scholarship covers 850€/month (5 months) + 820 € for travel costs and will be paid to student upon arrival to UAM. Additionally, if students belong to a disadvantaged group* they may benefit from additional support of 250€/month extra for students with documented financial aid. Students who apply to the program for Fall 2024 will be sent an application to apply. If scholarships funds are not awarded in Fall 2024, Spring 2025 applications will be sent an application.

• British Universities Transatlantic Exchange Association Sixteen scholarships are awarded to North American students who study abroad at a United Kingdom University that is a member of BUTEX.       
• John C Phelan General Course Scholarships to study for a year at London School of Economics (LSE) in London, UK.

Looking for financial support to pursue your academic goals?

Meet with the UMass Boston Fellowships Office to explore different opportunities available to study and research abroad for graduate or undergraduate students.

USAC Tips, Advice and Webinars for your Scholarship Application: https://usac.edu/money-matters/scholarships-and-discounts/webinars

Looking for money to help you study abroad, but not sure where to start? USAC offers webinars to help you apply for study abroad scholarships and financial aid, including USAC scholarships, the Gilman Scholarship, and the Freeman Scholarship.