5 TEFL Scholarships to Help You Become a Teacher Abroad

We get it. From dropping $1000+ on your TEFL certification, buying flights, to raking together enough savings to get yourself started in your new country, financing a teach abroad experience might seem daunting. Luckily, there are TEFL scholarships and TEFL grants out there!

That means saving for a teach abroad experience doesn’t only require cutting back on those $5 lattes and canceling your Netflix subscription. (Although, disciplined budgeting definitely helps, so kudos if you’re already doing it!)

Giving up some of the sweeter things in life for a little while is difficult, but it will help you save more quickly.

But here’s some great news: Aside from the fact that many teach abroad programs or schools cover roundtrip airfare and housing (it’s true: think United Arab Emirates or Korea), some, like the JET Program below, even offer TEFL financial aid to help with your TEFL certification costs.

And if you’re wondering if you should even bother getting a TEFL certification, it depends. Many teaching jobs require it, but if not, it can help you beyond your job search by preparing you to deliver a higher quality teaching experience for students. Be sure to check out the video Will A TEFL Certificate Get me a Better Job?

Now onto these great opportunities for funding your teaching experience abroad!

The types of TEFL financial aid you can find

• Scholarships and grants. TEFL scholarships and TEFL grants are basically the same thing: free money. Some are merit-based and others are need-based. While they likely won’t cover the entire cost of your certification (which can range from $1100- $2000), they can make a nice dent in the overall tuition. You can sometimes score TEFL certification scholarships or grants directly from the certification organization itself, or sometimes, if you’re in a government-sponsored teach abroad program, from that program itself (more on those below!) 
• Government-sponsored teach abroad programs. While TEFL scholarships usually cover only the cost of tuition, some government teach abroad programs provide broader perks for their participants. (Think housing, roundtrip airfare, health insurance, and a living stipend or wage. Hoorah!) These more prestigious programs, like the JET Program in Japan or Fulbright TEFL scholarships, are competitive. However, these programs don’t require TEFL certification, or even teaching experience (sometimes). That’s because in these programs you’ll be a teaching assistant, working alongside a local teacher. If you’re looking for a chance to not only teach, but want to help create and lead community engagement projects in your local placement, then a government-sponsored program might be for you! Learn more about Government-Sponsored Teach Abroad Programs.
• Volunteer Abroad Scholarships. What happens if your heart is set on teaching abroad but you aren’t finding the right TEFL certification scholarships? Or if you don’t want to apply to a competitive government program? You might consider volunteer teaching abroad. But wait, where’s the money in that? Excellent point. So here’s an idea: If you enroll to volunteer teach abroad, you may be eligible for a plethora of volunteer abroad scholarships. And even better, some government volunteer programs even include housing, like Chile’s English Opens Doors Program (which includes a homestay) and more! There are many ways to find teaching volunteer programs abroad, so get at it.
• Fund My Travel. Ok, while it’s not exactly TEFL financial aid, FundMyTravel is an awesome crowdfunding platform for...you guessed it: your trips abroad. If you’re proactive and want to take things into your own hands, set-up an account and build your profile to showcase your story and raise money for your upcoming adventure. You can share your page via social media to spread the word, and give your donors a breakdown of how their contributions will help you achieve your international project’s goals and dream of teaching English abroad. Plus, you can make the money go a bit further by choosing a more affordable TEFL provider, like International TEFL Academy.

5 TEFL scholarships to apply for now

Don’t let the application process intimidate you—these TEFL scholarships can be yours!

Now that we’ve covered some of the main places to look for TEFL financial aid, let’s get into the nitty-gritty. Here are some of those great TEFL scholarships and TEFL grants to help you launch your teaching stint abroad! 

1. Premier TEFL

If the idea of earning a fully-accredited online TEFL certificate, ending with 3 weeks of teaching practice in Central Europe, sparks your interest, don’t pass up this unique opportunity for TESOL scholarships. Once complete, you’ll be certified to teach in many parts of the world. After your scholarship is applied, you may end up paying as little as under $650 for your certification, or even less if you opt for a shorter-week program. 

2. Fulbright Program, English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) 

Funded by the U.S. Department of State, these prestigious TEFL grants place Fulbrighters in over 80 countries, for stints of 9-12 months. Along with being an English Teaching Assistant (ETA) in a certain type of school, from primary to high schools, and even universities, you will work on a local cultural exchange project in your new community. The Fulbright TEFL scholarships cover housing, roundtrip airfare, health insurance, a living stipend, and more, depending on the country. Applicants don’t need a TEFL certificate, but qualifications vary by country, and may include some level of language experience. 

3. JET (Japan Exchange and Teaching) Program 

if you’ve been accepted into the JET Program to teach English in Japan (congrats!), you should definitely apply for a CLAIR grant. There are two: the TEFL Grant and the JLPT Grant. These partial grants are meant to help selected JETs offset the cost of obtaining TEFL certification. For over 30 years, the JET program, a Japanese government-backed program, has brought in English Teaching Assistants (ALTS) from English-speaking countries around the world. JETs participate as English language teaching assistants in a variety of schools while supporting cross-cultural exchanges between nations. 

4. English Language Programs Fellowship 

If you’re already an experienced teacher and want to support cultural exchange and ESL teaching programs abroad, then this 10-month fellowship might be for you. Funded by the U.S. Department of State, this prestigious fellowship allows you to grow professionally and enrich your connections with various government organizations and universities abroad. The program provides housing, roundtrip airfare, and a small stipend. To apply, you must have an MA in TESOL or at least a 120-hour TEFL certificate with a valid teaching credential for your state, along with two years of teaching experience. The application opens in early fall for the following fall term, with late November as a hard application deadline.

5. Fund For Teachers 

Experienced educators, listen up! This organization has awarded over $32 million in grants to excellent U.S. teachers for a variety of self-designed professional development projects abroad. Past projects have included volunteer teaching in Chengdu, China, as well as travel to Cairo, Egypt to observe Egyptian and Jordanian ESL teaching strategies. Applicants are asked to identify a need in their school and show how their learning abroad will impact their students’ learning when they return. For this funding, you’ll need to write a grant proposal, but the Fund for Teacher’s website provides extensive resources and guidance for writing a stellar proposal! Bonus: You can apply as an individual or group project.

Bonus: Pro tips for finding scholarships and grants

• Ask the organization if they offer TEFL scholarships. TEFL certification companies may offer seasonal scholarships as a sweepstakes or contest. Check out their Facebook page or website for any recent announcements, and reach out directly to an advisor and ask about any upcoming or current TEFL scholarships.
• Do you have a military or volunteer background? As you explore TEFL certification courses, ask about any discounts if you are any of the following: current active duty U.S. military personnel or veteran, or a returned volunteer from the Peace Corps, Teach for America, Americorps, or City Year. If so, International TEFL Academy offers a $500 scholarship towards your online TEFL or in-person Chicago-based course.

TEFL certification scholarships can help you live your dreams abroad

Put that cash away if you’re ready to apply for TEFL scholarships.

While one TEFL scholarship likely won’t cover all your financial needs, if you start early, you can likely find a combination of scholarships and personal fundraising tools that can help you reduce many costs. And remember, whether or not you qualify for TEFL financial aid, you may be able to earn all TEFL costs back within your first few months of teaching, especially in countries with the highest paid teaching jobs.

While it may seem daunting, the work you put into writing essays for TEFL scholarships and promoting your fundraising campaigns will pay off. Start far enough out by saving $3 here and $2 here every day, and over the course of many months, it can add up. For inspiration, hang up some photos of the awesome destinations you want to teach abroad in, and remind yourself of your savings goals. With dedication, you can not only fund your TEFL certification costs, but be on your way to a fulfilling and exciting experience abroad!

Explore ALL Scholarships & Grants for TEFL Certification Abroad