Tips for a Compelling Study Abroad Scholarship Application
Study abroad is expensive, and many students don’t consider a semester abroad is
an option because of the added cost. With the cost of higher education increasing
beyond the rate of inflation, study abroad often finds itself in the category of an
extra or add-on. Yet, to be a competitive candidate in the global economy, you can’t
afford NOT to study abroad. Employers are looking for 21st century graduates with
global awareness, ability to communicate across cultures and understanding of
complex problems. Many of these traits are associated with students who have
invested in a semester abroad, often with the help of scholarships.
Study abroad scholarships come in many forms: for those with high financial need,
merit, length of time abroad, fields of study, locations, ethnic backgrounds, and
more. All it will take is a little research and effort on your part to craft the perfect
personal statement. The tips below are not exhaustive, but are a good starting point
in making a compelling case for your candidacy.
- Answer the prompt: Why do you want to study abroad? How does a semester abroad connect to your academic major, long term goals, professional plan? What challenges could impact your ability to study abroad? Questions like these are often asked of applicants and if you don’t answer the question, your application will be taken out of consideration.
- Connect the dots: Most competitive scholarships will want to know how the semester abroad connects to your major, course of study, personal interest, long term goals, or professional plans. A semester in Spain may have always appealed to you, but you need to be able to explain why in coherent and concise language. Once you explain the why, you’ll need to show the how. How does a semester at the program or school of your choice help you achieve your stated goals? It’s important to be specific so you can express to the review committee that you’ve done your research and you can show that the time abroad will be well spent.
- Tell your story: Competitive scholarships receive thousands of applications during each cycle. In order to make yourself stand out, you need to make your voice heard. What is unique about you? How can you stand out from the crowded field of equally qualified applicants? Of course you only need to express what you are comfortable sharing, but review committees often remember the stories of students that have overcome adversity, have interesting backstories, and can put their stories into a compelling voice.
- Attention to detail: You may be writing multiple scholarship applications, but it is extremely important to make sure you submit the right application to the correct scholarship. Students who accidentally submit the wrong application will not be looked upon favorably by the review committee. Avoid the pitfall of trying to save time by copying and pasting large sections of a personal statement into more than one application. You will miss something and the review committee will notice.
Your office of study abroad is a great resource in helping research awards and reviewing application drafts. When working on your personal statement, ask your faculty advisers and campus writing center for help. Writing scholarship applications
can be intimidating and seem like a lot of work. But with a little effort, you could find yourself with additional financial support that could be the difference between studying abroad or staying home.
Additional Resources: Use these websites to start your research
Scholarships with Specific Eligibility Criteria:
- Benjamin A. Gilman Award: For US undergraduate recipients of Pell Grants.
- Boren Scholarship: For US undergraduates to study in world regions critical to U.S.
- interests.
- Critical Language Scholarship: Fully funded summer language institutes for U.S. university students sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.
- DAAD Study Scholarship in Germany: To pursue studies in Germany
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