The University of Oregon, as well as other external funders, offer several relevant scholarships and fellowships to help support undergraduate students’ studies, including for study abroad and language learning.
School for International Training Study Abroad Scholarships
The School for International Training (SIT) supports international opportunities for a wide range of students through its study abroad scholarship and grant programs. Grants and scholarships are awarded three times a year and vary in amount.
Eligibility: SIT scholarships are awarded to highly qualified students who demonstrate financial need. SIT grants and scholarships include but are not limited to SIT Pell Grant Match Award, the Compton Fund and the Sally Bragg Baker Scholarship.
Award: Varies
How to Apply:
- When submitting your program application to SIT, be sure to indicate that you wish to apply for SIT scholarships.
- Add SIT’s school code (008860) to your FAFSA form.
- Confirm receipt of all required financial aid information with the SIT Study Abroad financial aid coordinator through email or at 802 258-3503.
Learn More about SIT Scholarships
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
The Gilman is for undergraduates to pursue study abroad and/or international internships. This scholarship seeks to fund students who have been traditionally under-represented in study abroad (minorities, students with disabilities, etc.) and those who choose non-traditional study abroad destinations
Eligibility: Applicants must be:
- US citizens (Permanent residents are not eligible.)
- Receiving a Federal Pell Grant
Award: Up to $5,000 (Additional funds may be awarded for critical need languages.)
How to Apply: Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit draft applications to UO study abroad programs for review at least two weeks prior to the deadline. For summer, fall or academic year programs, students should apply in late February. For winter or spring programs, students should apply in late September to early October.
National Security Education Program
National Security Education Program (NSEP) Boren Undergraduate Scholarships are awarded to undergraduates studying abroad in world regions critical to US interests. Award recipients must fulfill a service requirement upon graduation, working for selected federal departments and agencies.
Eligibility: Preference is given to those pursuing studies of less commonly taught languages. Selection is based on academic merit. Applicants must be US citizens.
Award: The maximum award amount is $8,000 for summer and $10,000 for one semester. Awarded annually.
How to Apply: Application materials are available on the Boren website. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit draft applications to UO study abroad programs for review at least one month prior to the UO deadline.
Boren scholarships
Boren scholarships are awarded to undergraduates studying abroad in world regions critical to US interests. Award recipients must fulfill a service requirement upon graduation, working for selected federal departments and agencies.
Eligibility: Preference is given to those pursuing studies of less commonly taught languages. Selection is based on academic merit. Applicants must be US citizens. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit draft applications to UO Study Abroad Programs for review at least one month prior to the UO deadline.
Award: The maximum award amount is $8,000 for summer, $10,000 for one semester, and $20,000 for a full academic year. Awarded annually.
How to apply: Application materials are on the Boren website.
Roger and Ginny Reich Scholarship
The Roger and Ginny Reich Scholarship awards $1,000 to a student at the Clark Honors College attending a UO-sponsored study abroad program for a minimum of one full term.
Eligibility:
- Enrolled in the Clark Honors College
- Maintaining a 3.70 GPA or above
- Planning on attending a UO-sponsored study abroad program
Award: $1,000
How to Apply: Current students interested in applying should log into Canvas and consult the CHC site for specific requirements and deadlines. These scholarships generally require that students be in good academic standing, and that they submit an essay and additional materials in February. Applications are due mid-February.
Winners are announced each March and funds are disbursed through the UO Billing Office.
Shephard Family Scholarship
The Shephard scholarship awards $2,000 to a student at the Clark Honors College pursuing foreign language study in a year-long UO-sponsored study abroad.
Eligibility: Students should:
- Enrolled in the Clark Honors College
- Maintaining a 3.70 GPA or above
- Planning on attending a UO-sponsored study abroad program. Preference is given to students in year-long programs, but if there are no eligible candidates, any CHC student in study abroad will be considered.
Award: $2,000
How to Apply: Current students interested in applying should log into Canvas and consult the CHC site for specific requirements and deadlines. These scholarships generally require that students be in good academic standing, and that they submit an essay and additional materials in February.
Winners are announced each March and funds are disbursed through the UO Billing Office.
Read More about Shephard Scholarship
Jane C. Waldbaum Scholarship
Established in honor of AIA Past President Jane Waldbaum, this scholarship is intended to help students who are planning to participate in archaeological field work for the first time (minimum stay one month/4 weeks). Students majoring in archaeology or related disciplines are especially encouraged to apply, as well as minority or disadvantaged students.
Eligibility:
- Students who have begun their junior year of undergraduate studies at the time of application and have not yet completed their first year of graduate school.
- Must be least 18 years old
- Must have not previously participated in archaeological field work of any kind.
The committee will consider both academic achievement and financial need in its deliberations.
Award: $1,000
How to Apply: Applications are due March 1. See the link for step-by-step instructions.
Diversity Excellence Scholarship
The Diversity Excellence Scholarship (DES) recognizes the academic achievement and potential of students who, through sharing their varied cultural perspectives, will enhance the education of all UO students and the excellence of the university. Recipients of the scholarship will be expected to participate in community service opportunities to share cultural heritage, special skills and abilities, and diversity experiences.
Award: $6,500 for undergraduates; $9,000 for graduate students. Annual award is split evenly over fall, winter, and spring terms. The scholarship is renewable with the length of eligibility based on the recipient’s grade level at the time of awarding.
How to Apply: Deadlines and processes differ by student status and grade level. Follow steps outlined on the DES website.
Mills Study Abroad Scholarship
Eligibility:
- Must be enrolled as a degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate student at the UO.
- Must ultimately be accepted to participate in a GEO-sponsored program.
- Must have at least a 2.50 cumulative GPA.
- Must demonstrate financial need based on FAFSA/ORSAA. International students complete the ISSS/DGE Statement of Financial Need.
- Must submit a well-written scholarship application.
Award: $500
How to Apply: See the Mills Study Abroad Scholarship page for up to date information and application dates.
Foreign Language and Area Studies
Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) fellowships are funded by the US Department of Education and are administered through university centers, to assist students in acquiring foreign language and either area or international studies competencies.
African languages covered by FLAS include but are not limited to Arabic (in Africa), Swahili, Twi, Yoruba, Zulu. Undergraduates may only receive FLAS funds for study of a language at the intermediate or advanced level.
Students interested in receiving a FLAS apply directly to the centers. Current Africa centers include Boston University; Harvard University; Indiana University; Michigan State University; Ohio University; University of California, Berkley; University of Florida; University of Kansas; University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; University of Pennsylvania (with Bryn Mawr College, Haverford College and Swarthmore College); University of Wisconsin, Madison; and Yale University.
Eligibility: Applicants must be US citizens or permanent residents of the United States. Applications by students in professional fields are encouraged. Preference will be given to applicants with a high level of academic ability and with previous language training.
Students receiving Academic Year Fellowships must be enrolled in full-time study for the duration of the FLAS award and must take one language course and one related area or international studies course each semester.
Award: $10,000 towards tuition for undergraduates; full tuition and fees for graduate students. This is an annual grant cycle but students can apply to more than one center simultaneously. Award benefits include a stipend plus some or all tuition and fees.
How to Apply: See FLAS website for up-to-date application instructions. Deadlines vary for each center but are usually in January for the following academic year.
Critical Language Scholarships for Intensive Summer Institutes
This scholarship is part of the National Security Language Initiative, a US government interagency effort to encourage Americans to study critical need foreign languages. This scholarship, from the Department of State, will provide funding for US citizen undergraduate, master’s and PhD students to participate in beginning, intermediate and advanced level summer language programs.
Students who receive the scholarship study at American Overseas Research Centers in eleven critical need foreign languages (Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bangla/Bengali, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, Persian, Punjabi, Russian, Turkish, and Urdu).
Eligibility: Award recipients for CLS Spark are selected on the basis of merit, with consideration for:
- Impact of participation
- Motivation
- Readiness and resolve
- Unique background and experience.
Preference will be given to veterans of the U.S. armed forces, and to applicants from states or institutions historically underrepresented in study abroad or in the CLS Program.
How to Apply: See the CLS website for step-by-step instructions.