Financial assistance for summer study-abroad programs is limited, but in the past some students have secured financial aid for ieiMedia programs. Check first with your campus financial aid office AND your international programs office for more information about what funding is available through your school. Ask your department chair or dean about scholarships and special funding for study-abroad opportunities.
Fund for Education Abroad
The Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) 2025-2026 scholarships are for undergraduate students planning to study abroad in Summer 2026. A complete list of FEA eligibility requirements can be found on their website: https://fundforeducationabroad.org/eligibility/. The application will open on Nov. 1, 2025.
FEA’s application is entirely online, and includes an online application form, a financial aid form (completed by the financial aid office), and an unofficial transcript. More details about the application and descriptions of all available scholarships can be found here: https://fundforeducationabroad.org/scholarships/.
The mission of the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) is to provide scholarships and ongoing support to students who are underrepresented among the US study abroad population. FEA makes life-changing, international experiences accessible to all by supporting minority, community college, and first-generation college students before, during, and after they participate in education abroad programs. FEA was established as a 501(c)(3) organization in 2010 to address the need for an independent study abroad scholarship provider.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to FEA at fea@fundforeducationabroad.org, or at 202-349-7340.
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program offers grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies abroad. The program aims to encourage students to choose non-traditional study abroad destinations, especially those outside of Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand. The Gilman Scholarship Program aims to support students who have been traditionally under-represented in study abroad, including but not limited to, students with high financial need, community college students, students in under-represented fields such as the sciences and engineering, students with diverse ethnic backgrounds, and students with disabilities. The program seeks to assist students from a diverse range of public and private institutions from all 50 states, Washington, DC and Puerto Rico.
Award recipients are chosen by a competitive selection process and must use the award to defray eligible study-abroad costs. These costs include program tuition, room and board, books, local transportation, insurance and international airfare.
This congressionally funded program is sponsored by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State and is administered by the Institute of International Education through its office in Houston, TX.
The Gilman Scholarship Program offers scholarships for summer programs to students from all majors who meet the program’s standard eligibility criteria.
One student who participated in our 2011 Istanbul program received a $5,000 Gilman scholarship.
Average grant: $3,000
For students applying for summer 2026, please find the eligibility requirements below and submit your application by Oct. 3, 2025!
Enrolled as an undergraduate student at a two or four-year U.S. Institution
United States citizen
Receiving a Federal Pell Grant at the time of application or during the term of study abroad
Participating in a study-abroad program that is no less than 4 weeks in one country
Receiving academic credit
Study in any country not currently under a U.S. Department of State Travel Warning or Cuba
Other Organizations
Go! Overseas offers scholarships for students planning to study abroad in any program.
Diversity Abroad.com Overseas Ambassador Scholarship: Offers $500 scholarships for fall and spring semester study abroad students.
The Overseas Press Club offers 18 $3,000 scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students who aspire to become foreign correspondents. Applications, including a cover letter, work sample, and a resume, are due Dec. 1.
The Turkish Coalition of America offers several scholarships for students interested in studying in Turkey.
Scholarships & Resources for Black Students
EDUMED has several resources for Black students on their website.
Scholarships & Resources for Hispanic & Latino Students
EDUMED has several resources for Hispanic & Latino students on their website.
Crowdfunding
ieiMedia has a partnership with Fund My Travel, a new online fundraising platform developed by GoAbroad.com that allows students to raise funds for “meaningful travel experiences,” such as study-abroad programs and overseas internships. Participants can create a customized webpage that describes their travel plans and sets a fundraising goal. They can then share the page with friends, family members and other contacts through social networking sites.
Scholarships for the Jerusalem Program
Rothberg International School Summer Study Travel Grants
The Rothberg International School at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem has generously offered up to 15 scholarships in years that ieiMedia is running the international reporting program in Jerusalem.
The first 15 students who apply will be given scholarships of $400. The scholarships are available to U.S. citizens and students of other nationalities who are enrolled in an American college or university.
Click the Get Started button below to request more information about scholarships and financial aid.
The Rothberg International School also provides scholarships for Canadian students. Please see this website for more information.
Because Israel is considered a holy place for the world’s three major religions — Christianity, Judaism and Islam — students may be able to get financial assistance to travel there from religious institutions and organizations. Christian students, for example, may be able to get financial aid from their church or a Christian organization. Jewish students may be able to get scholarships or grants from their synagogues, or other groups, including:
Jewish National Fund’s Plant Your Way to Israel Program
John H. and Ann G. Rhodes Foundation Scholarship (for residents of Illinois and Virginia)
Hillel The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life
Study in Israel.org: Identifies airfare and tuition scholarships from $400 to $21,000 for study in Israel.
Jewish Federation
In the United States, most cities have a location Jewish Federation that gives out scholarships. Each Federation has its own requirements for scholarships.
Tip on Getting Money from Your Federation
The only way to get money from your federation is to CALL their office. DO NOT email them if you want to get a scholarship.
When you call the Federation, ask to speak with the Financial Aid Director or to the person in charge of scholarships. Explain your situation to them (i.e. you’re an aspiring journalist and want to participate in ieiMedia’s program in Jerusalem, you can’t afford to pay the whole program fee, etc.). Ask them if you’re eligible to apply to any of their scholarships.
Bureau of Jewish Education
In the United States, many cities have a Bureau of Jewish Education that gives out scholarships. Contact your local Bureau of Jewish Education directly to find out if they have scholarships for which you might be eligible.
Synagogues and Churches
Many synagogues and churches in the United States and Canada have discretionary funds that may be used for scholarships, particularly to help students travel to Israel. Often these are not publicized. Ask your priest, rabbi or minister if they could help pay for this educational experience in Israel.
Other Funding Sources
Local, regional and national groups sometimes provide scholarships for independent study projects or study-abroad programs. These include:
Heritage groups that have interests in specific countries (e.g. National Italian American Foundation) Civic groups (Rotary, Kiwanis, and Lions Clubs)
Agencies and foundations
Professional and business clubs
Sororities and fraternities (local and national chapters)
Charitable, ethnic, religious and campus organizations
A number of schools have scholarships specifically for study-abroad programs.
Ask your international programs office if your school has any special scholarships for study abroad.
Some students have also had luck applying directly to a relative, friend or other private donor.
Write a letter to the group or individual specifying how you intend to spend the funds (airfare, program fee, tuition, personal travel, etc.) and what you hope to gain from the program. In exchange for the financial support, you should pledge to give something back, such as regular updates while you are abroad or making a presentation about your experiences when you return.
Other Fundraising Ideas
Request financial gifts or loans instead of holiday, birthday or graduation gifts
Find out if your parents’ employers or your employers have a scholarship program
Ask family members to donate frequent flyer miles
Set up a crowdfunding campaign. ieiMedia has a partnership with Fund My Travel. Organizations like MyTab, GoGetFunding and also help students raise funds for education.
The studyabroad.com Forum on Financial Aid
FinAid: The Financial Aid Information Page
The US Department of Education’s Guide to Federal Student Aid
International Financial Aid College Scholarship Search
International Student Loan Programs
BestColleges.com Scholarship Guide for Hispanic and Latino Students
BestColleges.com Scholarship Guide for African American Students