Scholarships

You may be eligible to apply for a variety of funding opportunities available from Illinois and external sources.

Important note: Scholarship application deadlines often fall before or on the same day as the program application deadline. Be sure to research and apply for scholarships as early in the process as possible.

Illinois for Illinois (I4I) Scholarship

The I4I Scholarship is available to all Illinois undergraduates studying abroad on an approved program. The funding for this scholarship is provided by a student-initiated fee. Visit the Illinois International website for more information.

Illinois International Programs (IIP) Scholarships

IIP Study Abroad Scholarships are made possible by generous donations from Illinois alumni and friends. Some of the scholarships have very specific criteria for study abroad programs and destinations, while others maintain open criteria for a wide variety of applicants and programs. All of the IIP scholarships are open to undergraduate students studying abroad on an approved program; some are also open to graduate students. Visit the Illinois International website for more information.

Enabled Abroad Scholarship

The Enabled Abroad Scholarship aims to encourage Illinois undergraduates with physical or sensory disabilities to study abroad. Visit the Illinois International website for more information.

Search for Scholarships

Gilman Scholarship

The Gilman Scholarship is a grant program sponsored by the Institute for International Education, that enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad with awards of up to $5,000. The Gilman Scholarship is open to U.S. Citizens who are receiving a Pell Grant or can provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship. Important note: To receive Gilman funding, students must be participating on an approved Illinois program.

Additional Scholarships

If you are considering a provider program, many provider organizations sponsor their own study abroad scholarships for students intending to participate in their programs. The scholarship opportunities available may range from need-based grants to merit scholarships, with varying eligibility requirements. Some scholarships may only be applicable to certain identities, programs, or locations. We strongly encourage every student applying to a provider program to apply for the provider scholarships. You can find more information about the scholarship opportunities available on that program's brochure page in My Study Abroad.

Contact the Graduate College Fellowship Office for additional assistance.


Scholarship Process

Drafting Your Application

The National and International Scholarships Program is available to assist you in revising applications for regionally or nationally competitive study abroad scholarships.

If you are applying for a scholarship consult the Writers Workshop and/or asking a peer to review your work. For those unavailable to meet face-to-face with the Writers Workshop, consider participating in their online synchronous tutoring service.

Future Opportunities

If you are considering graduate studies either in the U.S. or abroad, or if you would like to go overseas again after graduation, scholarships such as the Fulbright or Rhodes provide full funding. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your time abroad to become more competitive and prepare for these future opportunities.