Regardless of your identity, the decision to study abroad is daunting enough. Now factor in being an underrepresented Latinx student. Yeah. Daunting might not be a strong enough word. Now factor in the cost of study abroad? Bye-bye cuticles!
Most students will cite finances as the biggest thing holding them back from taking the plunge and signing up for their dream study abroad program. Not only do students have program fees to deal with (possibly in addition to tuition at their home institution!), but exchange rates on top of differences in cost of living and upfront costs…it’s just a lot to undertake. And while there is a lot of funding to promote study abroad programs, there aren’t so many geared toward diverse students and travelers, or specific minority study abroad scholarships.
That being said, they are out there, and they exist especially as Hispanic student scholarships for studying abroad. Here are a few top minority study abroad scholarships geared toward Latinx students and Latino travel. The Hispanic student scholarships listed below all have the common goal: promoting financial accessibility and diversity in study abroad. So, now you just have to track due dates and apply!
1. HACU IES Scholarship
This scholarship is open to students who are currently attending a Hispanic-Serving Institution that is a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). HACU represents more than 470 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Latin America, and Spain. HACU is the only national educational association that represents Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs).
Award Amount:
- Summer: Up to $2,500
- Semester: Up to $5,000
Deadline:
- Fall/Academic Year: May 1
- Spring/Calendar Year: November 1
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
- Apply to/ accepted to and enroll in a summer, semester or academic year IES Abroad program (J-Term programs are not eligible).
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Priority is given to first generation college students and/or Federal Pell Grant recipients.
- Return Requirement: If awarded one of these scholarships, at the conclusion of the IES Abroad program you agree to submit a one-page statement about your experience abroad, including how it has affected you personally, professionally, and academically and how this scholarship supported your endeavors.
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Minority study abroad scholarships allow more diverse experiences around the world for a greater variety of people
2. Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF)
The HSF Scholarship awards, serving as Hispanic student scholarships, are designed to assist students of Hispanic heritage obtain a college degree. Scholarships are available on a competitive basis to high school seniors, undergraduate students (all years), community college students transferring to four-year universities, and graduate students.
Award Amount:
- Awards are based on merit
- Amounts range from $500 to $5,000, based on relative need of selected scholars
Deadline:
- Depends on when student chooses to go abroad
Eligibility:
- Must be of Hispanic Heritage
- Minimum of 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for high school students
- Minimum of 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent) for college and graduate students
- Plan to enroll full-time in an accredited, not-for-profit, 4-year university, or graduate school, during the fall of a scholarship cycle (year)
- U.S. citizen, permanent legal resident, DACA or eligible non-citizen (as defined by FAFSA)
- Complete FAFSA or state based financial aid application (if applicable)
[Find & compare awesome study abroad programs side-by-side]
New friends, new places, new flavors, new memories, new games, new sports, new EVERYTHING.
3. Diversity Abroad Scholarships
A favorite in the world of minority study abroad scholarships, Diversity Abroad connects diverse students, recent grads, and young professionals to international programs and job opportunities. The organization offers a wide variety of exclusive grants and scholarships to minority, low-income, and first generation students. Most are co-sponsored with specific program providers and eligibility requirements, submission requirements, and deadlines will vary between scholarships.
A few to consider:
- Diversity Abroad & CISI Planning Scholarship
- Diversity Abroad & FIE Scholarship
- Diversity Abroad Overseas Ambassador Scholarship
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Live your best life and give study abroad a chance.
4. Fund for Education Abroad
The Fund for Education Abroad (FEA Scholarships) was established in 2010 to help independent study abroad programs. Since then, they have sent roughly 100 students abroad from all over the United States. In order to be eligible for these Hispanic student scholarships, applicants should be participating in an academically rigorous and immersive study abroad program that ideally includes a language component. FEA offers Dedicated Scholarships to applicants that meet general eligibility requirements and fit specific demographic, regional, or semester criteria.
Award Amount:
- Up to $10,000 per year ($5,000 per semester)
Deadline:
- Cycle of applications accepted annually in the fall
Eligibility Requirements:
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.
- Currently enrolled as an undergraduate at a college or university in the U.S. (graduate students are not eligible)
- Study abroad program must be eligible for credit at the student’s educational institution
- Study abroad program must be at least four weeks long (30 days)
[Can community college students study abroad?]
Discover yourself, your heritage, your culture. Or go somewhere entirely new!
5. Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
This scholarship is not only geared toward minority students, but all students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies abroad. While most students from the U.S. end up choosing countries in Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand for their study abroad destination, this scholarship encourages students to choose more challenging locations. The Gilman scholarship program supports students who traditionally have been underrepresented in study abroad, including, but not limited to, students with high financial need, community college students, students in underrepresented fields such as the sciences and engineering, students with diverse ethnic backgrounds, and students with disabilities.
Award Amount:
- $5,000
Deadline:
- Depends on when student chooses to go abroad
Eligibility Requirements:
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.
- Good academic standing as undergraduate student (both four-year and two-year institutions are acceptable)
- Must receive a Federal Pell Grant during the term abroad
- Must be in the process of applying to, or accepted for, a study abroad or internship program of at least two weeks for community college students and four weeks for students from four-year institutions, in a single country and eligible for credit from the student's home institution
[From Bankrate: 5 Financial Moves DREAMERS Should Make Now]
Not all of your new study abroad friends will have two legs.
The Academic Programs International (API) diversity scholarships seek to support participants from a variety of backgrounds, and doubles as Hispanic student scholarships. It provides the opportunity for students with traditionally marginalized identities to study abroad. API awards up to $500,000 to students annually ranging from $250-1,000 per student. Students are encouraged to apply for multiple API scholarships in addition to outside scholarships, however, in order to maximize the number of students receiving financial aid, API’s total contribution cannot exceed $1,000 per student (so read this list thoroughly and get going on all those applications).
Award Amount:
- $250 to $750
Deadline:
- Depends on when student chooses to go abroad
Eligibility Requirements:
- Minority students, U.S. military veterans, non-traditional students (30 years old or older), students with a disability, and/or LGBTQ students
- Participant in an API program
[Wait — What? Figuring out study abroad grants]
You think soccer is fun in your home country? Try it abroad.
7. David Porter Need-Based Diversity Scholarship
The David Porter Need-Based Diversity Scholarship was created to give minority students the opportunity of studying abroad. This scholarship, also affiliated with IES Abroad, was named in honor of David Porter from the IES Abroad Board of Directors. It seeks to provide opportunity to groups traditionally underrepresented in study abroad and international education.
Award Amount:
- $5,000 off the IES Abroad program fee
Eligibility Requirements:
- Recipients must attend a private college or university that is a Member or Associate Member of the IES Abroad Consortium. In addition, your home school must have a policy of transferring at least 75 percent of institutional aid for study abroad.
There’s plenty more Hispanic student scholarships where those came from!
With one round of scholarship research out of the way, all that’s left is for you to apply and start stamping that passport! You want to make sure you’re making them an offer they can’t refuse, so follow these guidelines to send in a seriously kick-a$% application and cinch that scholarship.
Studying abroad ends up being less about the place and more about your friendships.
With any of these scholarships in your back pocket, your dream of studying abroad will become a reality. You’ll have every opportunity to go out and explore this big beautiful world and pursue your education and passion abroad.
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