International experiences can help you enhance your degree, stand out to employers, and transform you into a global citizen. That’s why we encourage students to explore study abroad while 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 exploring the possibilities.
This guide serves as an overview of the many funding opportunities that exist to financially assist University of Iowa undergraduate students considering studying abroad.
In addition to the opportunities below, there are scholarships and grants available based on specific study abroad programs; external awards administered by organizations outside of the university 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.
Merit-based Scholarships
Students applying for merit-based scholarships only need to submit one application to be considered for multiple scholarships. Merit-based scholarship applications for those studying abroad in summer and fall 2024 are due by Thursday, March 7, 2024.
Merit based scholarships include the following:
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.
The Carol A. Snodgrass Scholarship provides 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.
The Drs. Michael L. and Darlene M. McNulty Scholarship provides competitive, merit-based scholarships for undergraduate students who study abroad in West Africa, with a preference given to students studying in Ghana.
The James L. and Rubie S. Watson Study Abroad Scholarship is awarded to undergraduate students who study abroad in one or more of the following countries and territories: China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, or India. Students with majors in a variety of disciplines are encouraged to apply for this scholarship.
The Joel D. and Sandra Barkan Scholarship is 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).
The Naomi Gunderson Scholarship for Foreign Language Study Abroad is 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.
The Richard J. Tyner Scholarship provides competitive, merit-based scholarships for undergraduate students in the UI College of Liberal Arts and Sciences majoring in a world language, political science, international relations, or international studies who are participating in a study abroad program or an international internship program through International Programs.
The Stanley Merit-Based Scholarship is a competitive, merit-based scholarship designed for undergraduate students who will study abroad.
The Stuart A. Lundquist Memorial Fund Scholarship is a competitive, merit-based scholarship that 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 a need-based grant. The deadline to apply for a summer 2024 session grant is Thursday, March 7, and the deadline to apply for a fall 2024 session grant is Thursday, March 21.
The Leona Zaharis Scholarship
The Leona Zaharis Scholarship provides financial awards for students studying abroad who are first generation college students or students who are not first-generation college students but have graduated from an Iowa high school AND have federal eligibility for financial aid. The application deadline for summer 2024 is Friday, March 1, and for fall 2024 the deadline is Friday, March 8.
Global Access Ambassador Scholarship
The Global Access Ambassador Scholarship is open to all students who intend to study abroad and are designed to facilitate reflection on identity as it is shaped by culture, challenges overcome, or lessons learned. Scholarship recipients are expected to share their experiences upon return to the Iowa campus. The scholarship application deadline for summer 2024 is Friday, March 1, and for fall 2024 the deadline is Friday, March 8.
International Student Study Abroad Scholarship
The International Student Study Abroad Scholarship is open to international students enrolled at the University of Iowa that are participating in an approved study abroad program. The scholarship application deadlines for summer and fall 2024 are both Thursday, March 7.
Global Internship Scholarships
The Dr. Ken Magid Scholarship, established in 2022, is designed for University of Iowa undergraduate students who intend to pursue an academic internship while embracing the cultural nuances and complexities of life abroad. The summer and fall 2024 application deadlines are both Thursday, March 21.
There are other global internship scholarships available. Deadlines vary based on each individual scholarship.
See all scholarships available for study abroad
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.