Government Scholarships
The federal government’s push to diversify the next generation of global leaders comes in the form of the ubiquitous Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships. Underrepresented student populations and those with serious economic disadvantage now have the opportunity to engage in study abroad thanks to the extremely generous Gilman Scholarships. Eligible applicants must already be Pell Grant recipients, a trustworthy measurement of financial need, as well as academically motivated. Preference is given to minorities, community college and two-year students, disabled and those pursuing programs in engineering, the sciences, or math and computer studies. Up to $5,000 may be doled out to over 700 candidates.
Private Funds
Sigma Delta Pi, the Hispanic Honor Society, sponsors some very nice scholarships for students participating in studies in Bolivia and other parts of Spanish America. In concert with the Academia Latinoamerica de Espanol, Sigma Delta Pi makes sure eligible students have almost all their costs paid for. Scholarships include tuition costs and travel expenses. Eligible candidates may be undergraduates or graduates, student members of Sigma Delta Pi and possess excellent academic records in the major.
The School for International Training provides the program in Bolivia on Culture and Development. SIT is a leading study abroad organization that offers unique and innovative abroad programs and coordinates many facets of the process for all kinds of students. This particular study program allows students to experience for themselves a culture and social fabric that is rich in contrasts between the haves and the have-nots.
Three-quarters of all SIT participants are eligible for some level of scholarship funding:
- SIT Fund is the organization’s most general scholarship. Awards are based on academic merit and financial need.
- Compton Fund rewards those students who are participating in a program that focuses on “peace studies, or sustainable development themes.”
- Diversity Fund gives underrepresented students a chance to experience abroad study by providing generous scholarship support. Students must be from minority backgrounds and have both academic talent and financial need.
The Rotary scholarships are some of the most well known among college students, but they are also extremely competitive. Ambassadorial Scholarships are awarded to hundreds of students each year who are engaging in humanitarian or peace programs in non-traditional destinations. If your goal is a scholarship for Bolivia, you will have to go head to head with peers in areas of academics and program plan. Rotarians appreciate students who are able to put their best foot forward and make a good impression. Upon completion of their program, recipients of Rotary scholarships must make a presentation on their Bolivian experience to a Rotary audience.
College Scholarships
Temple University students are branching out and taking wing to increasingly non-traditional and remote destinations. TU is now able to afford to help fund many of their exciting excursions thanks to a sizeable grant from the Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA). Students who are going to Bolivia may qualify for Global Scholarships, the flagship fund for abroad studies. Criteria include a GPA of at least 3.0 and demonstrated financial need. Awards may be as much as $5,000 depending on program, number of awards and student financial need. Scholarships exclude summer programs.
The creatively named Don Quixote Scholarships from the University of Richmond provide Spanish majors with a nice option for funding a study abroad program in Bolivia. Candidates are chosen from a pool of Latin American and Iberian Studies students. They are primarily rewarded based on academic merit in combination with their statements on career goals and how fitting the planned studies are in conjunction with their major. Over $1,000 awarded per student.
SIT Study Abroad Scholarships
SIT Study Abroad awarded $750,000 in scholarships in 2008. About one-third of scholarship applicants receive financial assistance to participate in our programs. Only SIT Study Abroad participants can be considered for SIT Study Abroad scholarships. Awards generally range from $500 to $5,000 for semester programs, and $300 to $3,000 for summer programs. Financial need is a primary consideration for all of our scholarship decisions.
SIT Study Abroad uses scholarship funds to ensure that a diverse group of students can participate from all regions in the US--and abroad--and from a variety of colleges and universities.
Scholarship funds are available for semester and summer participants. International students may apply for scholarships from SIT Study Abroad.
SIT Study Abroad Scholarship Opportunities Include:
The Compton Fund
For SIT programs with environmental, peace studies, or sustainable development themes, with priority for students representing US minority groups.
The Diversity Fund
For students who will enhance the racial, national, and ethnic diversity of the student body.
Engineering Scholarship
For students enrolled in an undergraduate engineering program and who have demonstrated financial need.
The Houston International Scholarship
For Houston-area undergraduate students in any field or major. Students of color are strongly encouraged to apply.
HBCU Scholarships
For students enrolled in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
The Middle East and Islamic Studies Scholarship
For students participating in programs with significant Middle Eastern and/or Islamic studies content.
Sally Bragg Baker Scholarship
For a female participant in any semester program who demonstrates international awareness and a desire to create a more peaceful world through international exchange.
SIT Fund
For anyone enrolled in any SIT Study Abroad program, to help promote study abroad opportunities worldwide.
The Workum Fund
For participants in SIT Study Abroad programs to the Indian subcontinent (India, Nepal, and Tibetan and Himalayan Studies programs).
Before You Apply for SIT Study Abroad Scholarships
- Review financial aid options through your home college.
- Note that SIT Study Abroad has one scholarship application for all of the different awards listed, with a few having additional requirements. Your application will be reviewed for eligibility from all sources that SIT Study Abroad has available.
- Your scholarship application will only be reviewed if it is complete, and only after you have been offered admission to an SIT Study Abroad program.
Deadlines
Fall Semester Closing Dates:
- May 1: For Brazil, Kenya, and Tanzania;
- May 15: for all other programs
- November 1 for all spring programs
- April 1 for all summer programs
Materials to Submit
To apply for a scholarship, you must submit the following three items. Note that some specific scholarships have special requirements; you will find these within the SIT Study Abroad scholarship application. Your scholarship applications will not be reviewed until you have been accepted for admission and all three items below have been received.
- SIT Study Abroad scholarship application
- Copy of your most recent Student Aid Report (SAR) - the report generated from completing the FAFSA form. International students and others who may not have a SAR should contact our Financial Aid Office for an alternative form to complete.
- Financial Assessment Form
Please return your scholarship application by fax to 802.258.3500 or mail to SIT Study Abroad Financial Aid Office, Kipling Road, P.O. Box 676, Brattleboro, Vermont USA 05302-0676.
Additional instructions are on the SIT Study Abroad Scholarship application.
After Submitting Your Scholarship Application
- Check WebAdvisor a few days after you submit your scholarship application to be sure that we have received all pieces. Note that WebAdvisor is password-protected to ensure privacy. Usernames and passwords are issued once SIT receives an application and are communicated to students by email. If you have lost or forgotten your log-on information, please contact us.
- You will not be considered for a scholarship if any of the required scholarship materials are missing at the time of the application deadline.
- Scholarship awards will be announced by email three to four weeks after the application deadline.
External Resources
There are many additional sources of financial aid and scholarships available to support study abroad. The list below provides quick links to specific categories of resources that follow:
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