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Funding your study abroad

 

Need help financing your study abroad?


Come to one of our Study Abroad Financial Aid and Scholarship Workshops:
September 29 and 30
February 3 and 4
4 p.m., Curris Center Barkley Room
Gather specific information from the Financial Aid and Scholarship Offices as well as get tips on which study abroad scholarships you are eligible for and how to make your scholarship applications the best they can be.

MSU Scholarships
Do you receive MSU scholarships? If so, those could apply toward the cost of your study abroad program. Several semester programs allow this money to pay for your study abroad. You should inquire with the University Scholarship Office for details. Your scholarships will not cover the cost of a summer study abroad program.

  Click here for a listing of semester programs on which MSU Scholarship Monies can be applied.
Coming Soon:

  • Beijing Language and Culture University, China
  • Tessedik Samuel College, Hungary
  • University of Guadalajara, Mexico
  • Daegu University, South Korea
  • Universitat Jaume I, Spain
  • Bahcesehir Universitesi, Turkey
  • Yeditepe Universitesi, Turkey


KEES Money
If you are receiving funding through the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship, you can use those funds toward a semester or year study abroad program.

Private Scholarships or Grants
If you receive scholarships from a non-MSU source, such as a private company scholarship, the applicability of those funds to your study abroad is based on the regulations of the provider. Please inquire with the scholarship provider to determine how your funds may be used in relation to study abroad.

Federal Financial Aid
Are you eligible for Federal Financial Aid? If you don't know the answer to this question, you should check with the Student Financial Aid Office at Murray State to find out. If you are eligible, you can apply those funds to the cost of your study abroad program. The Student Financial Aid Office is located in the Sparks Hall Basement. To make an appointment, email sfa.office@murraystate.edu.

Study Abroad Service Hours
Several of the study abroad scholarships below require service hours. If you are awarded a scholarship requiring service hours, you will be required to submit the Acceptance Notification in order for your scholarship to be applied to your program account. On this form you should indicate what you plan to do to complete your service hours. You are welcome to complete these hours by joining the Study Abroad Peer Advisor group, which means you would speak to several classes in the semester upon your return to MSU. However, you can also create your own project to meet your service hours. Past projects include scrapbooks, volunteering at the Study Abroad Fair, volunteering in the Study Abroad Office, organizing international events in your residential college, and more. If you have questions about your service, please contact the Education Abroad Advisor for help. .

Murray State University
Study Abroad Scholarships
Study Abroad Scholarship
Up to $1,000 for any study abroad program regardless of length. A complete application will include the application, a faculty reference letter, a financial statement, an official transcript, and an essay. Deadlines can be found on the scholarship application. Please see the Study Abroad Scholarship Guidelines for more details. The Study Abroad Scholarship requires service hours upon completion of your program abroad.
Benson D. & Novalee Roberts Blackie Study Abroad Scholarship
Scholarships will be awarded in $1,000 increments for students on any study abroad program. A complete application will include the application, a financial statement that includes complete program cost information, a transcript in a signed & sealed envelope, and an essay. For essay criteria and scholarship eligibility, please view the full guidelines. Deadlines can be found on the scholarship application.
Bonnie & Cliff Higginson Study Abroad Scholarship
Preference will be given to education majors pursuing a teaching career at the elementary, middle or secondary level. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA. A complete application will include the application, essay (see application for essay prompts), a financial statement, and a transcript (in an envelope signed and sealed by the Registrar's Office). Complete applications must be submitted to the Study Abroad Office for review by the deadline indicated on the application
College of Business & Public Affairs
Scholarships provided for students studying in the academic fields of the College of Business & Public Affairs. A complete application will include the application form and an essay addressing the following: why you wish to study abroad, what barriers you have overcome to study abroad, how study abroad will affect your chosen career, and what you hope to gain. Deadlines can be found on the scholarship application.
College of Education
Scholarships provided for students studying in the academic fields of the College of Education. A complete application will include the application form and an essay addressing the following: why you wish to study abroad, what barriers you have overcome to study abroad, how study abroad will affect your chosen career, and what you hope to gain. Deadlines can be found on the scholarship application.
College of Health Sciences & Human Services
Scholarships provided for students studying in the academic fields of the College of Health Sciences and Human Services. A complete application will include the application, 2 letters of reference, a financial statement, an official transcript, and an essay. Deadlines can be found on the scholarship application. Please see the HSHS Study Abroad Scholarship Guidelines for further details and eligibility.
College of Humanities & Fine Arts
Not Available 2008-2009
Scholarships are provided for students studying in the academic fields of the College of Humanities and Fine Arts. Apply at the Dean’s Office, 100 Faculty Hall. Awards are presented annually for all programs: fall, winter, spring, spring break and summer deadlines can be found on the scholarship application. . Awards for the 2007-2008 academic year have been made and are no longer available.
College of Science, Engineering & Technology
Scholarships provided for students studying in the academic fields of the College of Science, Engineering and Technology. Students must see their department chair to apply.
Discover Programs Enrichment Scholarship
Up to 8 awards will be made to students studying abroad on either the Discover China or Discover Korea summer program. A complete application will include the application form, a financial statement, and an essay. Deadlines can be found on the scholarship application. Please see the Discover Programs Enrichment Scholarship Guidelines for more details and the essay prompts. All required components of the scholarship must be complete and turned into the Study Abroad Office by the deadline date.
Dr. Hal & Jane Seaton Fund for Excellence in International Education
Recipients must be full-time students from Western Kentucky studying abroad in the coming year. Awards are competitive and amounts vary. To apply, complete the application, an essay on why you wish to study abroad, and a transcript (in an envelope signed and sealed by the Registrar's Office). Complete applications must be submitted to the Study Abroad Office by the deadline indicated on the application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Flight Scholarships
Students studying abroad on any study abroad program for any length of time are eligible for the Flight Scholarship. Flight scholarships will be awarded in three tiers: first tier recipients will receive a maximum of 100% of their flight cost, second tier recipients will receive a maximum of 75% of their flight cost, and third tier recipients will receive a maximum of 50% of their flight cost. Not all applicants will be awarded a scholarship. The 2009-2010 application essay question is "If you could take only one pair of shoes on your study abroad program, which pair would it be and why?" Essays should be no more than 500 words, typed, double-spaced with no name indicated on the essay. Applicants should submit the application, 5 copies of the essay, and proof of flight cost. Deadlines can be found on the scholarship application. Students studying abroad for the first time will receive preference over repeat participants in university study abroad. This scholarship requires service hours upon return from your study program.
Moore Menendez Scholarship
This scholarship is available to study abroad students who are juniors, seniors or graduate students with a major or minor in education, biology, chemistry, physics, computer science, mathematics, English, Spanish, French, political science, government, agriculture, journalism, instrumental music, or art. Applicants must have a minimum gpa of 2.75, be a Kentucky or Illinois resident, and demonstrate financial need. Students whose first language is Spanish will also be considered. A complete application will include the application, a transcript (in an envelope signed and sealed by the Registrar's Office), and a financial statement.
Sam & Bonnie McNeely Study Abroad Scholarship
Preference will be given to majors in the fields of management, marketing, international business, and business administration participating in the IBS program. A minimum gpa of 2.75 is required. See the Department of Management, Marketing, and Business Administration or download the application here. Deadlines can be found on the scholarship application.
School of Agriculture
Scholarships provided by the School of Agriculture Student Development Fund for students studying in the academic fields of the School of Agriculture. Apply at the Dean’s Office, 103 South Applied Science Building.
Student International Professional Development Award (SIPD)
This award is presented on a rolling basis for students who are invited to present a paper, perform, display artwork, or attend a conference in a foreign country. This award is NOT intended for traditional study abroad programs and those attending a study abroad program or internship for course credit are not eligible for the SIPD Award. Awards are generally $250-500 and are supplied via a travel request or as a scholarship to the student account. Apply now.
Video Blog Scholarship
The recipient of the video blog scholarship will receive $1,000 and a video camera to complete a series of videos while participating in the study program abroad. The video blog scholarship is made available each semester to participants on specific programs only. This means that not every program will have a video blogger and those that have had one in the past will not have one again for a period of time with the goal of reaching a variety of programs and audiences. To apply, complete the scholarship application and an essay. See the Video Blog Scholarship Guidelines for details on the essay and further scholarship stipulations. .

Program Scholarships
AustraLearn
AustraLearn program applicants only. Apply after acceptance to program at www.australearn.org
CCSA
CCSA program applicants only. A complete application will include the application, 2 letters of reference with a faculty reference release in a signed and sealed envelope, a financial statement, an official transcript in a signed and sealed envelope, a Financial Statement, and an essay. Please see the CCSA Scholarship Guidelines for more details. Deadlines are indicated on the application.
CEA
CEA program applicants only. Apply through CEA at http://www.gowithcea.com
CEA Advisor's Award
One $500 scholarship per semester is awarded to a student studying any CEA semester program. A complete application will include the application form and an essay addressing the following: why you wish to study abroad, what barriers you have overcome to study abroad, how study abroad will affect your chosen career, and what you hope to gain. Deadlines can be found on the scholarship application.
International Teaching Experience in Belize
  • Adolescent, Career and Special Education Study Abroad Scholarship
    Applicants to the International Teaching Experience who are majoring in this department will automatically be considered for this scholarship. No additional materials are required.
  • Early Childhood and Elementary Education Study Abroad Scholarship
    Applicants to the International Teaching Experience who are majoring in this department will automatically be considered for this scholarship. No additional materials are required.
  • Ginny Richerson and Paul Naberezny Study Abroad Scholarship
    Applicants to the International Teaching Experience will automatically be considered for this $500 scholarship that is awarded each semester. No additional materials are required.
  • Teacher Quality Institute Applicants to the International Teaching Experience will automatically be considered for TQI study abroad scholarships, which are awarded each semester. No additional materials are required.
KIIS
  • Kenneth E. Harrell
    This scholarship is awarded to participants on KIIS: Kentucky Institute for International Studies programs only. One scholarship is available for each study abroad program offered by KIIS. Find the scholarship details, including application materials, online at the KIIS Scholarships page. All complete applications must be turned into the MSU Study Abroad Office by the deadlines indicated by KIIS.
  • Hunt & Jennye Sue Smock Scholarship Endowment for Spanish Language Immersion
    Eligible study abroad students will be sophomore or junior status at MSU in any academic major, must have completed 12 hours of college-level Spanish language study, and have a minimum gpa of 3.0. Only KIIS program participants in Spanish language programs and taking at least one Spanish language course while abroad will be considered. Financial need will be a consideration and recipients of the scholarship may reapply in the future. A complete application will include the application form, an essay, financial statement, reference letter in a signed and sealed envelope, and transcript in a signed and sealed envelope. Deadlines are indicated on the application. See the scholarship guidelines for complete eligibility details.

 

National Scholarships
Benjamin A Gilman International
Recipients may be awarded up to $5,000 for a semester or full year study abroad program. Applicants must be undergraduate students receiving a Pell grant. Application materials are available online at http://www.iie.org/gilman. All applicants must see the Study Abroad Coordinator for application verification prior to applying for the Gilman.
  • Register online at www.iie.org/gilman for free web workshops on How to Apply and Composing a Successful Statement of Purpose. Workshops are August 25th, September 22, and September 29th.
Southeastern Association of Educational Opportunity Program Personnel Study Abroad Scholarship
Students who participate in TRIO programs (McNair, Student Support Services) are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Deadline is in December for the following calendar year. Please see the SAEOPP website for details and an application.
DAAD: German Academic Exchange Service
Up to $5,000 for sophomores and upper classmen studying in Germany. Application materials available online at http://www.daad.org
NSEP
Up to $8,000 for summer, $10,000 for semester or $20,000 for academic year programs for undergraduates pursuing study in geographic areas, languages, and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security. Application materials available online at http://www.turkishcoalition.org/scholar_aa.html
Turkish Coalition of America
The TCA has available several scholarships for summer and semester study in the amounts of $1,000 and $2,000 for African American, Hispanic/Latino and Native American undergraduate students to participate in study abroad programs in Turkey. Application materials can be found online at http://www.turkishcoalition.org
Bridging Scholarships
$2,500 for semester or $4,000 for academic year undergraduate study in Japan. Application materials can be found online at http://www.colorado.edu/ealld/atj/Bridging/scholarships.html

 

Graduate and Research Scholarships
American- Scandinavian Foundation
Fellowships up to $20,000 and grants up to $4,000 for research or study projects in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, or Sweden for up to one year. Applicants must have completed undergraduate studies by the start of their project. Application materials can be found online at http://www.amscan.org
Fulbright
140 countries to choose from for various research or study projects up to one year. Full stipend and/or travel grants available. Must apply one year in advance. Application materials can be found online at http://www.iie.org/fulbright (see the Study Abroad Coordinator for application verification prior to applying).
Marshall Scholarship
A two year fully funded scholarship for students seeking a graduate degree at any institution in the United Kingdom. Forty scholarships awarded annually. http://www.marshallscholarship.org.
Rotary International
Undergraduate or graduates may be eligible to receive funding for study or research in any country with Rotary affiliation for up to one full academic year. Contact your hometown Rotary Club or http://www.rotary.org to determine eligibility with your Rotary.


Search Engines
Don’t give up on your opportunity to study abroad due to the lack of funds. Check out these search engines to see what else is waiting for you: