Funding Options
$1,000 Flight Voucher when you apply with code by February 27, 2020
Several Options to Make it a Reality
If you think you have to pay for your study abroad program all on your own, think again! We’ve compiled a list of different financial aid opportunities for you to choose from if you need assistance. From CEA-exclusive funding to external sources of all kinds, you have options when it comes to paying for your time studying abroad.
Every student who wants to experience education and life overseas should get the chance. That’s what we believe at CEA. We hope this list of resources helps you go where you want to go.
Grants and Vouchers
Whether you’re a student at one of our affiliate universities or a student who wants to save on airfare to your CEA program, we’ve got something for you.
CEA Scholarships
Application
Deadlines
Summer
April 10
Fall
May 10
Spring
Nov. 15
Studying abroad will change your life, improve your employability, and enhance your global competence... not to mention all of those amazing new friends, new classes, and new foods you'll discover when you take your education international. In fact, study abroad is so awesome that we think more students should experience it! That's why we commit more than $2.0 million each year to our financial and scholarship programs.
We're committed to increasing all students' access to study abroad's many benefits. To reach this goal, CEA offers scholarships in several categories.
Scholarship with DistinctionThe top applicants to CEA Diversity, Academic Merit, Global Career, and Global Education Scholarships receive these competitive awards of an additional $1,000 for semester programs, and an extra $250-500 for summer programs. No extra application is required; but recipients are required to submit a one-page essay about their experience abroad after their program ends.
CEA offers merit-based scholarships that recognize and reward academic achievement. Scholarships are awarded based on factors such as a personal essay, letter of recommendation, and GPA.
GLOBAL EDUCATION ($400 - $3,000)
For students who seek a global learning experience: GPA: 2.5
"In the 21st century, "global education" is redundant -- if it isn't global, it isn't an education ... College graduates must possess the knowledge, skills, and habits of mind that will allow them to thrive in a global community."
– Dr. George B. Forsythe
AWARD RANGES
$400 - $1,000 (Summer)
$500 - $3,000 (Semester, Trimester, Academic Year)
REQUIREMENTS
- GPA: 2.5
- Scholarship Application
- Recommendation Form & Letter of Recommendation
- In an original 400-500 word essay, reflect on the quote to the left and describe two to three “skills and habits” you plan to develop abroad, and how they will help you to thrive in a global community.
GLOBAL CAREER ($400 - $2,000)
For students who wish to pursue a career with global ties: GPA: 3.0
"All major hiring companies need global citizens. Global sensitivities, global perspective, global insight, along with maturity and a capacity for risk-taking, are exactly the skills every major organization is looking for – in every industry."
– Kevin Gill, Global Director of Staffing for Honeywell
AWARD RANGES
$400 - $750 (Summer)
$500 - $2,000 (Semester, Trimester, Academic Year)
REQUIREMENTS
- GPA: 3.0
- Scholarship Application
- Recommendation Form & Letter of Recommendation
- Based on responses from 10,000 hiring managers and CEOs in 116 nations, the 2011 QS Global employer survey found that 60% of respondents said they "value an international study experience" when hiring. In an original 400-500 word essay, describe your career goals and how they connect to working as a global citizen. Reflect on the quote to the left and the skills you hope to gain while studying abroad.
GENERATION STUDY ABROAD ($400 - $750)
CEA has partnered with the Institute of International Education's Generation Study Abroad, a five-year initiative that strives to double the number of U.S. college students who study abroad: GPA: 2.5
“The fact is, with every friendship you make, and every bond of trust you establish, you are shaping the image of America projected to the rest of the world. That is so important. So when you study abroad, you're actually helping to make America stronger.”
– First Lady Michelle Obama
AWARD RANGES
$400 (Summer)
$500 - $750 (Semester, Trimester, Academic Year)
REQUIREMENTS
- GPA: 2.5
- Scholarship Application
- Recommendation Form & Letter of Recommendation
- Submit an original 400-500 word essay reflecting on the quote to the left; describe how you think the world views American students in your generation, what you plan to do while abroad to either uphold or change those views, and how you plan to “help make America stronger”.
ACADEMIC MERIT SCHOLARSHIP ($750 - $3,000)
For students who excel academically: GPA: 3.7
"The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn."
– Alvin Toffler
AWARD RANGES
$750 - $1,000 (Summer)
$750 - $3,000 (Semester, Trimester, Academic Year)
REQUIREMENTS
- GPA: 3.7
- Scholarship Application
- Recommendation Form & Letter of Recommendation
- Submit an original 400-500 word essay reflecting on the quote to the left; describe how you look forward to ‘learning, unlearning, and relearning’ and how you will accomplish your learning/unlearning goals during your study abroad experience.
CHRIS TOWNS SCHOLARSHIP ($1000)
For students accepted into any CEA semester, trimester, summer, or academic year program in France: GPA: 2.5
AWARD RANGES
$1000 (Summer)
$1000 (Semester, Trimester, Academic Year)
REQUIREMENTS
- GPA: 2.5
- Scholarship Application
- Recommendation Form & Letter of Recommendation
- At 35 hours, the French work week is one of the shortest in developed countries. In an original 400-500 essay, reflect on what you think this says about French culture and how it compares to the US 40+ hour work week.
Our diversity scholarships open doors for students from diverse backgrounds and for students with disabilities.
DIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP ($400 - $2,000)
For students from diverse backgrounds or students who have had a personal experience with diversity: GPA: 2.5
"When you travel, remember that a foreign country is not designed to make you comfortable. It’s designed to make its own people comfortable."
– Clifton Fadiman
AWARD RANGES
$400 - $1,000 (Summer)
$500 - $2,000 (Semester, Trimester, Academic Year)
REQUIREMENTS
- GPA: 2.5
- Scholarship Application
- Recommendation Form & Letter of Recommendation
- An original 400-500 word essay reflecting on the quote to the left. Describe a cultural encounter that made you uncomfortable, what you learned from the encounter, and how you think it prepared you for study abroad.
CEA offers need-based scholarships to ease financial and economic barriers to studying abroad.
FINANCIAL NEED SCHOLARSHIP ($500 - $1,000)
For students who demonstrate a high need for additional funding: GPA: 2.5
AWARD RANGES
$500 (Summer)
$500 - $1,000 (Semester, Trimester, Academic Year)
REQUIREMENTS
- GPA: 2.5
- Scholarship Application
- Recommendation Form & Letter of Recommendation
- Financial Need Scholarship Form: Work with the financial aid office at your home institution to complete the form
- Please submit a 400-500 word essay addressing the following questions: How do you think you demonstrate financial need? How are you planning on funding your study abroad program? How would this scholarship impact your funding plans?
The top applicants to CEA Diversity, Academic Merit, Global Career, and Global Education Scholarships receive these competitive awards of an additional $1,000 for semester programs, and an extra $250-$500 for summer programs. No extra application is required; but recipients are required to submit a one-page essay about their experience abroad after their program ends.
When students who attend a CEA Academic Affiliate school apply for an Academic Merit, Global Education, Financial Need, or Diversity Scholarship, they're automatically considered for an affiliate scholarship, too; no extra application is required. Awards vary by term. Is your school a CEA Academic Affiliate?
Programs must be 3-weeks in length or longer.
CUSTOM & FACULTY-LED PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIP (Up to $300 - $1,000)
For students seeking a global learning experience through their university sponsored custom or faculty-led program: GPA: 3.0
AWARD RANGES
Up to $300 - $800 (Summer)
Up to $450 - $1,000 (Semester, Trimester, Academic Year)
REQUIREMENTS
- GPA: 3.0
- Scholarship Application
- Recommendation Form & Letter of Recommendation
- Unofficial Transcript
Essay: Outside of your course requirements, please describe how your study abroad program and location is connected to your global learning and career goals. Write an original 500 word statement of intent detailing why you personally chose to participate in your specific study abroad program and how your study abroad location and experience will impact your global learning and career goals.
Funding Options
Are there funding options beyond CEA scholarships? Yes!
Check out these alternative methods for making your study abroad program affordable. Sometimes, all you need is a little flexibility or an extra boost.
Discounts
We offer discounts to certain CEA students going abroad with us in special circumstances, so no one gets left out. Loved your first experience with us so much that you want to go overseas again? Enrolled in more than one CEA program? We can help you out with that!
Resources
Looking for even more ways to make your dream of life abroad a reality? Consider the following suggestions to branch out of traditional financial aid. Some creativity and ingenuity can go a long way.
CEA Scholarship Recipients
Congratulations to all of our CEA Scholarship Recipients! See past recipients here.