International experiences can help you enhance your degree, stand out to employers, and transform you into a global citizen. It’s for these reasons we encourage students to explore the option to study abroad during their undergraduate career at the University of Iowa. Money matters though, and sometimes the financial unknowns behind studying abroad, or completing a global internship abroad, prevent students from even exploring the possibilities.

"Scholarships matter a whole lot, and it's often a huge deciding factor in whether a student can study abroad or not," said Teresa Kout, participant services coordinator for International Programs. "My best piece of advice for students who may not think that study abroad is for them, or don't think they'll have a chance to get a scholarship, is to take this opportunity and see where it leads you. So many times we say no to something because we're scared or uncertain, but when it comes to scholarships, if you don't apply, you're not going to get it. So take the risk, studying abroad could be the best thing that ever happened to you."

This guide serves as a one stop shop to showcase the many funding opportunities that exist to financially assist and support University of Iowa undergraduate students considering studying abroad. By helping students to study abroad, International Programs is able to continue its mission to connect Iowans with the world and the world with Iowa.

"Study abroad scholarships abound at the University of Iowa. International Programs invites all students to ask questions and gather information about available resources," said Russ Ganim, associate provost and dean of International Programs. "We want to see as many Hawkeyes as possible go abroad and our advisors are happy to help. Please contact us!"

In addition to the below opportunities, there are over 25 more scholarship/grant opportunities available based on specific study abroad programs; external awards administered by organizations outside of UI like the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, Critical Language Scholarship, or the Fund for Education Abroad Scholarship; and several UI awards that can be used for international study abroad opportunities. Select the buttons below to get signed up for a Discover Study Abroad session, the first step on your journey to going abroad, and to view all the study abroad scholarship opportunities available to University of Iowa undergraduate students.
 

Get Started with Discover Study Abroad     STudy Abroad Scholarship Opportunities

Merit-based Scholarships
Students applying for merit-based scholarships are eligible to be considered for multiple scholarships while only needing to submit one application. Merit-based scholarship applications for those studying abroad in spring 2023 are due by Thursday, October 13, 2022.

Merit based scholarships include the following:

• Bedell World Experience Asia Scholarship: The Bedell World Experience Asia Scholarship is available for an eligible undergraduate student wishing to study in a geographical area where Japanese, Chinese, or Korean is the primary language. This competitive, merit-based scholarship is designed for undergraduate students who are native residents of Iowa. In addition to the merit component, successful applicants will also show demonstrated financial need.
• Carol A. Snodgrass Scholarship: The Carol A. Snodgrass Scholarship will provide competitive, merit-based scholarships for undergraduate students in the UI College of Liberal Arts and Sciences who are studying abroad in Latin America or Spain.
• Drs. Michael L. and Darlene M. McNulty Scholarship: The Drs. Michael L. and Darlene M. McNulty Scholarship will provide competitive, merit-based scholarships for undergraduate students who study abroad in West Africa, preference Ghana.
• James L. and Rubie S. Watson Study Abroad Scholarship: The James L. and Rubie S. Watson Study Abroad Scholarship will be awarded to undergraduate students who study abroad in one or more of the following countries and territories: China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, India. Students with diverse majors in a variety of disciplines are encouraged to apply for this scholarship.

• Joel D. and Sandra Barkan Scholarship: The Joel D. and Sandra Barkan Scholarship will be awarded to students who study abroad in various non-Western European geographical areas (also excluding Australia and New Zealand). Eligible undergraduate, full-time, degree-seeking students may be pursuing study abroad in countries including sub-Saharan Africa, Asia (including Central Asia), Latin America, and the Middle East (including North Africa).
• Naomi Gunderson Scholarship for Foreign Language Study Abroad: The Naomi Gunderson Scholarship will be awarded to undergraduate students who are committed to developing advanced language proficiency. Students must have completed at least one year of language study prior to the application deadline.
• Richard J. Tyner Scholarship: The Richard J. Tyner Scholarship will provide competitive, merit-based scholarships for undergraduate students in the UI College of Liberal Arts and Sciences who are pursuing a major in French, Italian, international relations, or political science.
• Stanley Merit-Based Scholarship: The Stanley Merit-Based Scholarship is a competitive, merit-based scholarship designed for undergraduate students who will study abroad.
• Stuart A. Lundquist Memorial Fund Scholarship: This competitive, merit-based scholarship will be awarded to an undergraduate student who is majoring in French (first preference) or English (second preference) and studying abroad in France for at least one semester. In addition to the merit component, successful applicants should also show demonstrated financial need.

Need-based Grant
Students eligible for financial assistance from the university who are interested in studying abroad should apply for need-based grant. Need-based grants range from $250 - $2,000 for the winter 2022 session and from $250 - $4,000 for the spring 2023 session. The deadline to apply for a winter 2022 session grant is Thursday, October 6, and the deadline to apply for a spring 2023 session grant is Thursday, October 20, 2022.

Diversity Ambassador Scholarships
This scholarship program is intended to support the diversification of students who study abroad from the University of Iowa. Students awarded this scholarship join a cohort of students studying abroad at the same time, but not necessarily at the same location, to build community among peers studying at the same time. Up to ten (10), $1,000 Diversity Ambassador Scholarships for Travel Programs will be awarded for the spring and fall semesters/academic year; up to ten (10), $1,000 Diversity Ambassador Scholarships for Travel Programs will be awarded for summer and winter sessions.

Diversity Ambassadors will be invited to share their experiences abroad with prospective students from underrepresented groups on campus through outreach events.

The scholarship application deadline for winter 2022 and spring 2023 sessions are both due Friday, October 14, 2022.

International Student Study Abroad Scholarship
International students enrolled at the University of Iowa are encouraged to consider participating in an approved study abroad program. One, $1,000 scholarship is awarded for each summer or winter session. The winter 2022 and spring 2023 scholarship application deadline is Thursday, October 13, 2022.

Global Internship Scholarships

There are numerous scholarship opportunities ranging from $250 to $5,000 to help support students doing a global internship. Deadlines vary based on each individual scholarship. For deadlines and eligibility, visit the Global Internship Funding page.

International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement.  IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.