Penn State Education Abroad Scholarships

Penn State Global is pleased to announce the Student Access and Success grants for 2023-2024 and 2024-2025. This initiative is intended to increase global engagement among students across the Commonwealth through enhanced funding and targeted scholarships. Students from any campus participating in any type of approved Penn State education abroad program will have increased access to funding for their experience. With the exception of the Sustainability Scholars Award, there is no specific application required for students to be considered for the Education Abroad Student Access and Success grants.

Student Access and Success funding opportunities include:

• Student Access and Success General Award
  • Awards range from $500-$2,000 depending on length of program. 
• Strategic Partner Mobility Initiative Award (effective Spring 2024, Fall 2024, Academic Year 2024-25, and Spring 2025 terms) 
  • All students committed to participating in any of the three eligible exchange programs only (Freiburg, University of Freiburg, Kuala Lumpur: Monash University Malaysia, Melbourne: Monash University) will receive a $3,000 scholarship per semester from Penn State Global. For students committed to participating in this exchange program for the full academic year 2024-25 term (i.e., fall 2024 and spring 2025 terms), a $3,000 scholarship would be awarded for each term (a total of $6,000).  There is no application required.
• Education Abroad Fair Award
  • Twenty (20) students who attend the annual Education Abroad Fair at University Park or the virtual education abroad session held in conjunction with the Education Abroad Fair in fall 2023 or fall 2024 will be randomly selected to receive a $500 scholarship to be used toward an approved education abroad program.
• Sustainability Scholars Program
  • In keeping with its commitment to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals through education abroad, this award will be presented to 10 students who have demonstrated how they will incorporate sustainability into their global learning experience and future academic and professional life.  More details are forthcoming.

To best support students with high levels of financial need, Penn State Global will guarantee education abroad scholarship funding to student recipients of the Federal Pell Grant. Terms and eligibility are described in this section, and are subject to change with written notice: 

• Students who are eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant will receive a minimum scholarship of $750 to participate in an approved embedded course 
• Students who are eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant will receive a minimum scholarship of $1,000 to participate in an approved semester-long or summer education abroad program (fall/spring/summer), excluding embedded courses 
• Students who receive a Federal Pell Grant are eligible for this education abroad scholarship guarantee one time per academic year; generally, the guarantee will be applied to the first education abroad experience that the student undertakes per academic year. 

Students who receive a Federal Pell Grant may be eligible to apply for the nationally-competitive Gilman Scholarship Program, with awards typically ranging $2,000-5,000. To encourage students to consider submitting a strong application for the Gilman Scholarship Program, Penn State Global is proud to support a Gilman Scholarship Program application incentive grant. Terms and eligibility are described in this section, and are subject to change with written notice: 

• Penn State Global Gilman Scholarship Program application incentive grant amount is $200, applied to the Penn State Bursar bill for the semester during which the education abroad experience takes place 
• To earn the Penn State Global Gilman Scholarship Program application incentive grant, students should 
  • Meet eligibility requirements of the Gilman Scholarship Program 
  • Choose an education abroad program and location that meets the Gilman Scholarship Program requirements 
  • Apply and be approved to participate in a Penn State approved education abroad program 
  • Attend at least one session on strengthening your Gilman Scholarship application (current session schedule included below) 
• Students who are eligible for the Penn State Global Gilman Scholarship Program application incentive grant can be awarded this grant one time per academic year; generally, the guarantee will be applied to the first eligible education abroad experience that the student undertakes per academic year. 

Gilman Scholarship Program Information Session: February 6th at 4:30p.m.

Are you planning to study abroad and looking for funding options? Don't miss the Gilman Scholarship Program Information Session, where you'll learn how this prestigious scholarship* can support your education abroad goals. Join us for an informative overview and get your questions answered! 

Date: Thursday, February 6, 2025 
Time: 4:30 p.m. 
Location: Zoom: Registration link

*One of the eligibility requirements to apply for the Gilman Scholarship is that students must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship. Attending this general information session does not satisfy the session attendance requirement for the Penn State Education Abroad Gilman Scholarship guarantee. 

10 Things That Will Ensure a Competitive Gilman Application: February 12th at 12:00p.m. and February 13th at 4:00p.m.

Have you decided to apply for the Gilman Scholarship Program*? We are offering two opportunities to learn how to avoid the common mistakes that can weaken a Gilman Scholarship application. We will help to ensure your submission is as strong as possible! 

*Join us for one of these upcoming sessions: 

Date: Wednesday, February 12, 2025
Time: 12:00p.m.
Location: Zoom: Registration link 

Date: Thursday, February 13, 2025
Time: 4:00 p.m. 
Location: Zoom: Registration link

*Please note: Attendance at one of these sessions is required to qualify for the Penn State Education Abroad Gilman Scholarship guarantee. If you are not able to attend one, please reach out to educationabroad@psu.edu for possible alternatives

CIEE has generously provided scholarships for students that participate in CIEE programs. Eligibility requirements may vary but are based on program location and semester, as well as being a full-time degree-seeking Penn State undergraduate student and financial need. Applicants must also be United States citizens/permanent residents and have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the Office of Student Aid. 

Special Discount Guarantee: January 2024 to December 2024

CIEE has generously agreed to guarantee the following minimum discounts to Penn State students participating in any Penn State approved CIEE program from January 2024-December 2024.

• $2500 program discount for students participating in traditional semester program or three (3) block Open Campus program (fall/spring)
• $1,250 program discount for students participating in any two (2) block Open Campus program (fall/spring)
• $500 discount for students participating in any one (1) block Open Campus program (fall/spring)
• $500 discount on any CIEE summer program*

Note about summer programs: Consecutive summer sessions receive a 20% discount in the 2nd and 3rd session. Only the 1st session will be discounted at the discount rate listed here.

Application Deadlines

All students participating in the designated programs will receive the discount; there is no separate scholarship application.  The deadlines listed here reflect the program application deadline for admission. Only those with applications on file by the deadline will be considered for this funding source.

How to Apply

There is no application for these program discounts. 

IES Abroad has generously provided scholarships for students who participate in IES Abroad programs. Eligibility requirements may vary but are based on program location and semester, as well as being a full-time degree-seeking Penn State undergraduate student and financial need. Applicants must also be United States citizens/permanent residents and have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the Office of Student Aid.

Scholarship Description

The IES Abroad High-Impact Aid Commitment is designed to take the guessing out of education abroad financial aid and make it more equitable for all. With IES Abroad’s financial aid, students can:

• Apply for all IES Abroad financial aid with one single application and will know your total IES Abroad aid amount within five days of applying.
• Receive up to $7,000 in scholarships and aid for an IES Abroad program, which includes an automatic $1,000 public university grant if participating in a semester-long program.

Award Amount

Awards range from $500 to $7,000, depending on the selected program, term, and eligibility.

Eligibility, How to Apply, & Deadlines

Students should visit the IES Abroad scholarships and aid website to learn more about their eligibility, how to apply, and review the application deadlines. Students who submit their IES Abroad financial aid aplication will receive a response within 5 business days. Students should contact IES Abroad directly with any questions about their eligibility and applying for financial aid: https://www.iesabroad.org/contact.

Award Recipient Selection

IES Abroad determines the amount of theaward based on expected family contribution (via FAFSA).

Award Notification

Applicants will be notified of their total IES Abroad aid amount by email within five business days of applying.

Eligible Programs

Students going abroad on any Penn State-approved IES Abroad program (not customized program) are eligible to apply.

The Grant-in-Aid Scholarship is issued through the Education Abroad office for students studying on approved Penn State programs. Penn State students participating in officially sponsored Education Abroad programs are eligible to apply. This scholarship is not guaranteed and is competitive.

Scholarship Description

Penn State Education Abroad offers named scholarships and trustee awards to qualified Penn State undergraduate students participating in semester Education Abroad (EA) programs. Based on specific donor requirements, merit, and/or financial need, awards are made during each of the three semesters (summer, fall, spring) during the academic year.

Named scholarships are made available to regularly enrolled undergraduate students, who have been accepted into an Education Abroad program and meet the eligibility requirements of the scholarship.

• Whitney Frankenberry Scholarship in International Programs
• Charles and Lillian Binder Foreign Studies Grant-in-Aid
• Graham B. and Sandra K. Spanier International Education Endowment
• Janis Jacobs Study Abroad Fund
• Judy Shepherd Education Abroad Award
• Mel and Nancy Brown Family Endowment for Education Abroad
• Michael and Grace Adewumi Trustee Scholarship in Global Programs
• Michael J. and Aimee Rusinko Kakos Study Abroad Trustee Scholarship
• Middle East Foreign Studies Grant
• Semmer Scholarship for Education Abroad in Memory of Geoff Blatt
• Sung and Fumi Lee Scholarship

Grant-in-Aid awards are made available to regularly enrolled undergraduate students, who have been accepted into an Education Abroad program and have demonstrated unmet financial need according to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA).

• Alumni Association Undergraduate International Education Endowment
• Study Abroad Grant-in-Aid
• Penn State Alumni Association Education Abroad Scholarship

Eligibility

Full-time undergraduate Penn State students who are enrolled or planning to enroll in an officially recognized semester Education Abroad program are eligible. Applicants must have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the Office of Student Aid, at the time of the application deadline, to be considered for need-based aid.

Application Deadlines

• February 1 – summer programs
• March 1 – academic year and fall programs
• September 10 – spring programs

Award Amount

Awarded amounts will vary based on scholarship availability, scholarship requirements, and demonstrated unmet need.

• Academic Year: $1,000-$2,000
• Fall: $500-$1,500  
• Spring: $500-$1,500
• Summer: $500

How to Apply

Scholarship applications are available through your program application. After you have chosen a study abroad program, you should click "Apply Now" on the program page which will open a program application. The scholarship applications will be available in the questionnaire section of your program application. Please carefully read the eligibility requirements for each scholarship before completing the scholarship application questionnaire.

Award Recipient Selection

Recipients shall be selected by the Education Abroad Scholarship Committee. Factors considered, in consultation with the Office of Student Aid, are: financial need, demonstrated academic success (merit), duration of program of study, etc. Awards are made during each of the three semesters during the academic year. Awards are made one time only and are not negotiable.

Award Notification & Distribution

Notification of scholarship decision will be by email. Notification will occur before a student is expected to commit to their Education Abroad program. Awards will be distributed to the student’s account via the Office of the Bursar. An award may result in a decrease in the student’s loan amount. The award will be removed from the student's bursar account if the student changes program locations, withdraws from the program, does not participate in the program, or the program is canceled. Awards are made one time only and are not negotiable.

The Africa and Latin America Grant-in-Aid Scholarship is issued through the Education Abroad office for students studying on approved Penn State programs. Penn State students participating in officially sponsored Education Abroad programs are eligible to apply. This scholarship is not guaranteed and is competitive.

Scholarship Description

Penn State Education Abroad offers Africa and Latin America Grant-in-Aid to provide recognition and financial incentive to Penn State undergraduate students who are participating in semester Education Abroad programs in an African or Latin American country. Awards are made during each of the three semesters (summer, fall, spring) during the academic year. Funding for this award is available in part from the University’s Equal Opportunity Planning Committee and the University Office of Global Programs.

Eligibility

Full-time, undergraduate Penn State students who are enrolled in an officially recognized semester Education Abroad program in a Sub-Saharan African or Latin American country. Applicants must also be a United States citizen/permanent resident and have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the Office of Student Aid, at the time of the application deadline, to be considered for need-based aid. 

Application Deadlines

• February 1 – summer programs
• March 1 – academic year and fall programs
• September 10 – spring programs

Award Amount

Awarded amounts will vary based on scholarship availability, scholarship requirements, and demonstrated unmet need.

• Academic Year: $2,000
• Fall: $1,000-$1,500
• Spring: $1,000-$1,500
• Summer: $500-$1,500

How to Apply

Scholarship applications are available through your program application. After you have chosen a study abroad program, you should click "Apply Now" on the program page which will open a program application. The scholarship applications will be available in the questionnaire section of your program application. Please carefully read the eligibility requirements for each scholarship before completing the scholarship application questionnaire.

Award Recipient Selection

Recipients shall be selected by the Education Abroad Scholarship Committee. Factors considered, in consultation with the Office of Student Aid, are: financial need, demonstrated academic success (merit), duration of program of study, etc. Awards are made during each of the three semesters during the academic year. Awards are made one time only and are not negotiable.

Award Notification & Distribution

Notification of scholarship decision will be by email. Notification will occur before a student is expected to commit to their Education Abroad program. Awards will be distributed to the student’s account via the Office of the Bursar. An award may result in a decrease in the student’s loan amount. The award will be removed from the student's bursar account if the student changes program locations, withdraws from the program, does not participate in the program, or the program is canceled. Awards are made one time only and are not negotiable.

The Whole World Scholarship is issued through the Education Abroad office for students studying on approved Penn State programs. Penn State students participating in officially sponsored Education Abroad programs are eligible to apply.  This scholarship is not guaranteed and is competitive.

Scholarship Description

Penn State Education Abroad offers the Whole World Scholarship to provide recognition and financial incentive to Penn State undergraduate students who are participating in select semester Education Abroad (EA) programs. Programs are in non-traditional locations such as East Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. Awards are made during each of the three semesters (Summer, Fall, Spring) during the academic year.

A list of eligible Education Abroad programs is available.

Eligibility

Full-time undergraduate Penn State students who are enrolled in an officially recognized semester Education Abroad (EA) program in non-traditional locations (list of eligible Education Abroad programs) are eligible. Applicants must also be United States citizens/permanent residents and have a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on file with the Office of Student Aid. 

Application Deadlines

• February 1 – summer programs
• March 1 – academic year and fall programs
• September 10 – spring programs

Award Amount

• Academic Year: $2,000
• Fall: $1,000  
• Spring: $1,000
• Summer: $500

How to Apply

Scholarship applications are available through your program application. After you have chosen a study abroad program, you should click "Apply Now" on the program page which will open a program application. The scholarship applications will be available in the questionnaire section of your program application. Please carefully read the eligibility requirements for each scholarship before completing the scholarship application questionnaire.

Award Recipient Selection

Recipients shall be selected by the Education Abroad Scholarship Committee. Factors considered, in consultation with the Office of Student Aid, are: financial need, demonstrated academic success (merit), duration of program of study, etc. Awards are made during each of the three semesters during the academic year. Awards are made one time only and are not negotiable.

Award Notification & Distribution

Notification of scholarship decision will be by email. Notification will occur before a student is expected to commit to their Education Abroad program. Awards will be distributed to the student’s account via the Office of the Bursar. An award may result in a decrease in the student’s loan amount. The award will be removed from the student's bursar account if the student withdraws from the program, does not participate in the program, or the program is canceled. Awards are made one time only and are not negotiable.