Scholarship Opportunities
The Fund for Education Abroad (FEA): Provides scholarships and ongoing support for students who are traditionally underrepresented among the U.S. study abroad population, including students of color, first-generation students, and community college students.
FEA Rainbow Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to deserving applicants who self-identify within the community. All U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently enrolled as an undergraduate at a U.S. institution of higher education and looking to study abroad are eligible to apply.
Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship: The $1000 Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship is awarded biannually to passionate students who want to explore the world.
Explore the World: Recipients receive $2,000 to help finance their international trip that includes an educational or service component.
Christianson Grant: The Christianson Grant is awarded to individuals who have arranged their own work abroad programs.
DoSomething: DoSomething puts money directly into the hands of young people through community action grants to help turn dream projects into a reality and take existing projects to the next level.
Go Overseas: Two scholarships available for volunteers to travel abroad in the spring and fall each year. The award is (most often) distributed directly to the volunteer organization itself, which ensures that the funds are used entirely for the project.
Ced in the City: The Ced in the City Scholars program is about putting feet to a vision to change the face of travel by encouraging African American students to study abroad and supporting their quests to do so. We hope that this program will alleviate some of the financial burden as well as be a catalyst for African Americans to expand their horizons and deepen their connectivity to other cultures through global travel.
Goldwater Scholarship: This competitive opportunity seeks ongoing students who intend to pursue a research career in the natural sciences, engineering and mathematics. On the Goldwater website, you will find more information on eligibility requirements. Students interested in applying should contact the Goldwater representative at their university to inquire about the nomination process. Scholarships are not specifically for study abroad, but awards can be used for students studying overseas.
The Samuel Huntington Public Service Award: Provides a stipend of $10,000 - $15,000 for a graduating college senior to volunteer for one year, either alone or with an established organization anywhere in the world.
Sara’s Wish Foundation: Sara’s Wish Foundation scholarships are awarded to young American women who exhibit qualities of leadership, service, and adventure. Formed to honor the memory of college student Sara Christie Schewe, who was killed in a bus crash in India during a semester abroad, the scholarship defrays the costs associated with traveling to all areas of the globe. Recipients perform public services, contributing to the welfare of the world. Applications are available online October 1 though March 1, and typical awards are $1,500—$2,000.
Watson Foundation Thomas J. Watson Fellowship: The Thomas J. Watson Fellowship offers graduating college seniors a year of independent, purposeful international exploration to enhance their capacity for resourcefulness, imagination, and leadership and to foster humane, effective participation in the world community. Applicants are eligible if their college or university is a participating institution. The stipend for the fellowship year is $28,000.
New Generations Service Exchange: Contact your local Rotary Club to see if you may be able to get funding. Eligibility requirements vary from club to club.
The Ella Lyman Cabot Trust: Provides grants up to $50,000 for individuals seeking to carry out charitable, religious, artistic, educational, and scientific projects that promote the good of others. This is a potential funding option for volunteers who would like to work on developing a specific program while on site. Preliminary application deadlines are February 15th and September 1st.
LA Tutors Innovation in Education: LA Tutors awards students who showcase their creativity and make positive impacts with a $500 Innovation in Education scholarship.
Gap Year Association (GYA) Scholarships: Here's everything you need to know to land scholarships for taking a gap year.
Honor Societies: If you are a member of any honor societies, be sure to check what scholarships they offer. (Some, like the Golden Key Honor Society offer grants for studying or volunteering abroad)
Your Alma Mater: Oftentimes, your university will offer grant and scholarship opportunities. Be sure to speak with your guidance counselor about these opportunities!
Rotary Clubs: Rotary clubs offer scholarships for secondary, undergraduate, or graduate study. Rotary club scholarships are given by individual clubs and are open to anyone except Rotary members and their families. Contact your local club for application information and eligibility requirements.
Abroad Public Scholarship Database: Dozens of scholarship opportunities for volunteering abroad
Fundraising Ideas
We are here to assist and support your fundraising efforts in any way we can. Below are a few ideas to get you started. Visit here for more detailed information and resources.
On-campus Event
Family and friends Event
hold an auction with prizes donated from local businesses
Host a dinner party and charge a small admission fee/set up a donations box
Friendsgiving Dinner
Do a 50/50 raffle (friends and family can purchase tickets and then half the money goes to the winner and half to you)
Do a reverse raffle (hold a dinner/event and have your family and friends buy raffle tickets and then throughout the night pull out tickets and the last one left in the bowl is the winner of a prize)
Hold a community car wash
Yard sale or Bake sale
Start a blog once on site or a monthly newsletter
Utilize your talents
If you’re creative you can create t-shirts, tote bags, paintings, jewelry, etc that you can sell to raise money
Ask for sponsorships from local businesses you’re connected to
your high school job, a family business, local church, local gym, etc.
Host a community event
Host a Parents Party: If your community has a lot of families, you can host a parents’ party while you watch the kids. It’s an excellent way to give mom and dad a night out with their friends while you raise money! All you’ll need to do is find a venue. Then you can charge a small amount and set up a fun night of food, drinks, and socializing for parents. You can also set up a donation box for other contributions.
Host a cook-off and charge a small admission fee for people to come judge the food
Hold a backyard BBQ and charge a small fee for people to eat
Start a gift-wrapping service around the holidays
Hold a “Give-it-Up” Fundraiser
A “Give-It-Up” fundraiser is a free fundraiser that can be between you and a close friend, or it can be expanded to include your family members and other acquaintances. Participants agree to give up an indulgence for a certain amount of time and put the money toward your cause or project. This indulgence can be something as simple as a daily latte, a weekly trip to the movies, or a fast food visit. Instead of spending money on these expenses, you put the funds in a jar or a savings account. Over the course of several months or a year, you can save a lot of money!