Study Abroad Scholarships
There are all kinds of scholarships available to help finance your study abroad journey! You can apply for scholarships funded by your personal study abroad program as well as outside organizations. Below are several resources to help you get started.
MSU-Sponsored or Affiliated Scholarships & Funding
Office of International Programs
Global Ambassador Award
The Global Ambassador Award is a $3,000 scholarship from MSU Study Abroad. Any eligible student who applies for the Gilman Scholarship and does not receive an award will automatically be considered for the GAA without an additional application.
To be eligible, students must:
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- Be a citizen or national of the United States
- Be an undergraduate student in good standing at MSU
- Apply and be approved to study abroad by the MSU Office of International Programs
- Receive a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or be able to provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship
- Apply for the Gilman Scholarship and submit application materials to MSU Study Abroad for feedback by the campus deadline.
***Gilman deadlines allow students to apply in two application cycles if they apply early enough. Students will only be considered for the GAA during the Gilman cycle immediately before their study abroad program.
Jake Jabs College of Business & Entrepreneurship
Bracken International Fellowships
Scholarships awarded by JJCBE to business students for international activities. Funding varies from year to year, but typically several scholarships of up to $1,500 are awarded during the academic year. Visit the Bracken International Fellowships page for more information.
Richard W. Cuniff Study Abroad Award
Two $1,000 scholarships will be available each academic year by the Office of International Programs to JJCBE students, based on the following criteria:
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- Accepted into a study abroad program
- Pursuing a degree from Jake Jabs College of Business and Entrepreneurship
- Montana high school graduate
- Minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
- Demonstrated financial need
For more information and to apply, visit the MSU Scholarship Opportunities website.
College of Education, Health, & Human Development
The International Education Experience Scholarship is a $1,000 scholarship for EHHD students to use toward international educational travel with any MSU study abroad or EHHD-sponsored program. Visit the MSU Scholarship Opportunities website to learn more.
MSU Undergraduate Scholars Program
The Undergraduate Scholars Program provides support to undergraduate students in all disciplines to pursue research, scholarship, and creative projects. Students can apply for a USP grant that will support their international research during an exchange or study abroad program. Visit the MSU Scholarship Opportunities website to learn more.
MSU Alpha Lamda Delta
The National Alpha Lambda Delta Council offers 20 study abroad scholarships annually. Applications for the James G. Stemler Study Abroad Scholarship are submitted first to MSU, then put forward to the National Council for final review. Award amounts of $1,000 to $2,000 are available. For more information, contact the ALD MSU Chapter President or Faculty Advisor. Students must be members of Alpha Lambda Delta to be eligible.
Minerva "Tommy" Morgan Scholarship
The Minerva "Tommy" Morgan Scholarship is awarded every semester to Montana residents to help fund the cost of studying abroad. Award amounts vary. Visit the MSU Scholarship Opportunities website to learn more.
Region/Country-Specific Scholarships & Funding
Asia |
Freeman Awards for Study in Asia Freeman-ASIA provides scholarships for US undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need to study in East or Southeast Asia. Award amounts vary depending on the length of study, up to $7,000. For information on several more scholarships to study abroad in Asia, visit Asia Exchange's Study Abroad Scholarships page. |
Australia |
Study Australia Scholarships Study Australia has compiled a list of a wide variety of scholarships you can apply for to fund your Australian study abroad experience. |
Germany |
Baden-Württemberg Scholarship Several MSU direct exchange (DEX) partners in Germany are located in the Baden-Württemberg region, providing MSU students with the ability to apply for the Baden-Württemberg Scholarship. German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Scholarships Highly qualified undergraduate students are invited to apply for DAAD scholarships funding study, senior theses, research and/or internships in Germany. The goal of this program is to support study abroad in Germany and at German universities. |
Japan |
Bridging Scholarships The US-Japan Bridging Foundationprovides scholarships for American undergraduates to study in Japan for a semester or academic year. Japanese Government Scholarships The Japanese Government offers several scholarships annually to US citizens living in Washington, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, and Alaska, through the Consulate-General of Japan in Seattle. These monthly stipends range from $1,000 to $1,400 to support research and/or study abroad in Japan. |
New Zealand |
Education New Zealand Scholarships Scholarships for US citizens participating in study abroad programs in New Zealand. Awards range from $500 to $2,000. |
Norway |
Sons of Norway: King Olav V Norwegian-American Heritage Fund Sons of Norway offers a scholarship to promote cultural exchange between the United States and North America. This scholarship is available to US citizens who plan to explore an interest in Norwegian heritage or modern Norway at a Norwegian institution of higher learning. |
General Scholarships
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
The Gilman Scholarship Program aims to diversify the types of students who study abroad as well as the countries they travel to by offering awards to US undergraduates who might otherwise not study abroad due to financial constraints. Students are eligible if they meet the following requirements:
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- Be eligible or receiving Federal Pell Grant funding
- Applying or accepted to participate in a credit-bearing study abroad program that is at least 4 weeks in length
***Any eligible MSU student who applies for the Gilman Scholarship and does not receive an award will automatically be considered for MSU's Global Ambassador Award without an additional application.
Boren Awards for International Study
Boren Scholarships provide funding opportunities for US undergraduate students to study languages in world regions critical to US interests and commonly underrepresented in study abroad programs. These regions include Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. Maximum awards range from $8,000-$20,000, depending on the length of study.
Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program
The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program provides fully funded immersive summer programs for US undergraduate and graduate students to learn languages of strategic importance to United States national security, economic prosperity, and engagement with the world.
Fund for Education Abroad Scholarships
The Fund for Education Abroad seeks to increase access to study abroad through scholarships for underrepresented students going abroad or for travel to non-traditional study abroad destinations. Scholarships of up to $10,000 are available.
ISEP Community & Social Mobility Scholarships
All students applying to study on an International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) and demonstrate financial need are eligible to apply for the $500 ISEP Community Scholarship.
The ISEP Social Mobility Scholarship is designed to assist students placed in an ISEP program who do not have sufficient funds to cover the upfront costs of studying abroad. This scholarship will provide $1,100 to assist students in covering their expenses.
CCIS Scholarships
All students applying to study on a College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS) program are eligible for CCIS scholarships.
Post-Graduation International Funding Opportunities
American-Scandinavian Foundation Fellowships
The American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF) offers fellowships and grants to graduate students to pursue research or creative arts projects in Nordic region countries for up to one year. Applicants must have completed their undergraduate degree by the start of their project.
Blakemore Freeman Fellowships
Blakemore Freeman Fellowships fund an academic year of advanced level language study in East or Southeast Asia. Eligible languages include Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and selected other Southeast Asian languages. Applicants must have at minimum a bachelor's degree and have completed at least three years of language study at the college level by the start of the grant.
Fulbright US Student Program
The Fulbright US Student Program offers grants for individually designed research, graduate study, or English teaching abroad. Applicants complete a process that begins at Montana State University.
We encourage you to call the Honors College* office at (406)-994-4110 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Ilse-Mari Lee, the Fulbright Program Adviser, to learn about this process. Prior to meeting, please thoroughly research the Fulbright grant/s that best suit your future plans, language skills (if applicable), and academic preparation.
*Applicants do not need to be in the Honors College to apply for a Fulbright
Check out this article about an MSU student who was recently awarded a Fulbright!
Marshall Scholarship
The Marshall Scholarship finances American citizens of high ability to study for a graduate degree in the United Kingdom. Open to those who have completed their undergraduate degree with a minimum 3.7 GPA, this scholarship provides full funding for a two-year graduate degree in any subject at any British University.
Peace Corps
The Peace Corps is open to US citizens who are motivated to spend two years volunteering in designated Peace Corps countries. Volunteers receive extensive training, including instruction in the host country's language, before beginning their assignments.
Schwarzman Scholars
The Schwarzman Scholars Program is a prestigious, fully funded one-year master’s program in Global Affairs at Tsinghua University in Beijing. It aims to develop future global leaders by providing academic training, cultural immersion, and leadership development.