Scholarships & Funding

Financial Aid

Students who are eligible for financial aid may apply their aid to Cal State East Bay-sponsored study abroad programs to offset these educational expenses. Applying for financial aid for studying abroad is the same as applying for aid as a regular student. You just file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid , also known as the FAFSA. By filing the FAFSA, you are applying for federal grants and student loans. We encourage you to apply early in the calendar year for assistance in the upcoming academic year.

Students who are considering using financial aid should speak with a financial aid counselor as part of their application process. (Students may email finaid@csueastbay.edu to request an appointment to discuss study abroad plans and financial aid eligibility.)

Additional resources from the Office of Financial Aid are below.

Study Abroad Scholarships

The number of study abroad scholarships has been steadily increasing over the past few years. However, not many students are aware that study abroad scholarships exist. Below is a list of scholarships and resources for both undergraduate and graduate study abroad. Many of the scholarship deadlines are four to eight months before departure and they may or may not coincide with the study abroad application deadline. Be sure to check the websites to review eligibility requirements and deadlines.

Undergraduate Scholarships 

  • Boren Scholarship
    • U.S. Citizenship required
    • Funding for study abroad in world regions critical to U.S. interests (and outside of Western Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada)
    • Boren Awards give preference to programs based on their duration, focus on intensive study of a preferred language in a preferred country, and the applicant’s field of study.
    • These Regional Flagship Initiative Programs pair a summer in the U.S. plus a summer abroad of intensive language study (Swahili, Akan/Twi, Wolof, Zulu, Hindi, Urdu, Indonesian, Thai, Vietnamese, Turkish)
    • Need some more inspiration? See this list of study abroad programs that recent Boren recipients identified for their language study, and these statistics regarding the recent recipient chosen languages/destinations. 
  • Bridging Scholarship - for study in Japan.  As of 2024, Bridging holds one application cycle per year for either semester or academic year study abroad programs.
  • CSU International Programs (IP) Scholarships
  • Freeman Awards for Study in Asia (Freeman-ASIA) - for study in East or Southeast Asia.  As of 2024, the Freeman Award program holds one application cycle per year (check timeline here).  Application details for 2025-26 are scheduled to be available in early 2025.  U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents may apply.  Additional eligibility details are available here.
  • Germany Student Scholarship Program
  • Gilman Scholarship Program
    • U.S. Department of State program requires U.S. citizenship prior to start of study abroad program
    • For Pell Grant eligible undergraduate students
  • Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) Scholarship  
    • U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Resident, current undergraduate student, receiving credit at home institution for study abroad
    • Apply Early!  (FEA has two application cycles each year, but applications close earlier than many of the study abroad program deadlines.
  • ISEP Scholarships
  • Killam Fellowships Fulbright Canada
  • MEXT Scholarships - The Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sport, Science and Technology (MEXT) offers scholarships to international students from around the world the opportunity to live and study in Japan. MEXT scholarships are full scholarships that cover tuition, living expenses and roundtrip airfare.

Summer Programs with Funded Scholarships

Scholarship Databases and Resources

The Center for International Education provides the following as a courtesy and does not take any responsibility for the accuracy of the websites.