Accessible and Affordable Study Abroad
A core component of Global Learning is ensuring that study abroad remains accessible and affordable for all students. Scholarships play a critical role in reducing financial barriers and expanding participation across a diverse student population.
Through a combination of institutional, national, and program-specific funding opportunities, students have access to financial support and modest awards covering airfare, tuition, and living expenses.
Scholarship Options
SCU Global Learning experiences can be funded by a variety of scholarships, including options from Santa Clara and options from external groups.
Early awareness of scholarship options is important. Many study abroad scholarships have application deadlines 6–8 months prior to program departure, and in some cases, deadlines may occur before a student has formally applied to or been nominated for a Global Learning program.
Featured Opportunity: Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a nationally competitive, need-based award that supports U.S. undergraduate students receiving federal Pell Grants to study or intern abroad. The program prioritizes expanding access to study abroad for students who have been historically underrepresented in international education, including first-generation college students, STEM majors, and those studying in nontraditional destinations. Awards can be used toward a wide range of program costs, including tuition, travel, and living expenses.
Global Learning actively supports applicants through targeted programming, including information sessions, workshops featuring Gilman alumni, and individualized essay review and advising. These efforts are designed to strengthen applications and increase student competitiveness for this nationally recognized award.
Santa Clara Scholarships
Global Engagement Scholarships
Our Global Learning scholarships are designed to make study abroad more accessible and affordable for students across a wide range of programs and destinations. Thanks to the generosity of donors and partners, these awards support students with demonstrated financial need, those participating in summer and faculty-led programs, and students studying through select affiliate providers. All students who are nominated for a study abroad program are automatically considered for scholarship eligibility—no separate application is required.
- Bruce A Lee Family Endowed Scholarship
- Global Engagement - Summer Study Abroad Scholarship
- Global Explorations Inaugural Scholarship
- IES Grant
LEAD Scholars Study Abroad Scholarship
Award Amounts Vary; Attendance of an informational session required. Through generous grants from the Koret Foundation and private donations from supporters and alumni, the LEAD Scholars Program offers scholarships to support LEAD Scholars who have been accepted to the Study Abroad program with SCU. Scholars will be invited to an informational session, attendance is required to be eligible for funding.
Other Non-Santa Clara Scholarships
National Scholarships
- Fund for Education Abroad Scholarships
- The Global Respectful Disruptive Initiative Scholarship
- Global Ambassador Scholarship - Diversity Abroad
- Boren Awards for International Study
- Diverse International Women of Color Scholarship
- Gilman-McCain Scholarship
- Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship
- Going Abroad Scholarship
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund
- Rotary International Scholarships & Grants
Region-Specific Scholarships
- Freeman Asia Award
- MEXT Scholarship
- The Bridging Project
- Generation Study Abroad Awards
- Swedish Educational and Cultural Honorarium
- Butex Scholarship
- Lord Acton Memorial Scholarship
Program-Specific Scholarships
- API
- Arcadia Abroad
- CIS Abroad
- IES Abroad
- ISEP
- FIE
How to Apply
Students can apply for scholarships through the Global Learning Camino Advising Module, and are encouraged to attend Peer Advising Hours or a scholarship application infosession if they have questions about the process.
Writing Impactful Scholarship Application Essays
While competition for scholarships can be intimidating, planning ahead and putting your best foot forward will make a student as competitive an applicant as anyone else. Genuine, well-thought out essays will make a student shine as a unique person and highlight their personality and motivations for scholarship programs to study abroad. Students should carefully follow the criteria for each scholarship, emphasizing why they’ve selected their program and how it will contribute to their academics, professional development, and more.
For writing support, students are encouraged to book an appointment with the HUB Writing Center.
SCU Global Engagement’s Global Learning Programs
Global Learning Programs in Global Engagement include:
- Study Abroad
- Summer Study Abroad
- Global Internships
- Fulbright UK Summer Institutes
- Global Explorations Faculty-Led
- Undergraduate Research Abroad
- Global Engagement Discovery Fellowships
- Exchange and Visiting International Students