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CEA CAPA Education Abroad
Scholarships & Grants
CEA CAPA Scholarships and Grants
CEA CAPA is committed to increasing access to study and interning abroad. We offer more than $2 million each year in scholarships, affiliations, and grant programs for Fall, Spring, and Summer terms.
During the spring and summer terms, we experience a high volume of scholarship applications, resulting in intensified competition for available awards. We encourage prospective applicants to plan their submissions accordingly, as students who prioritize their enrollment in the fall semester may see a better chance of receiving a scholarship due to decreased competition for these funding opportunities.
CEA CAPA STATEMENT ON AI: CEA CAPA is looking for personal, authentic responses to scholarship prompts. CEA CAPA requires that all essays be the original work of the applicant. We reserve the right to verify the authenticity of submissions, including checking for the use of AI writing tools. To ensure fairness and integrity, please refrain from using AI tools or external writing assistance when crafting your responses.
Scholarship Deadlines
| Term | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Spring - CEA CAPA Standard Programs | November 1st |
| Spring - Custom & University Faculty Led Programs | January 15th |
| Summer - CEA CAPA Standard Programs | February 15th |
| Summer - Custom & University Faculty Led Programs | May 30th |
| Fall - CEA CAPA Standard Programs | May 1st |
| Fall - Custom & University Faculty Led Programs | July 1st |
CEA CAPA is pleased to offer four flagship Awards:
CEA CAPA is proud to offer substantial scholarships for students with high financial need who effectively articulate why one out of CEA CAPA's six Student Learning and Development Objectives aligns with their personal, academic, and/or professional goals in pursuing education abroad.
Timing and Amount: Fall Term: $10,000/up to six awards; Spring Term: $10,000/up to four awards; Summer Term: $5,000 up to 10 awards.
Prompt: CEA CAPA programs are grounded in our six Student Learning and Development Objectives Which one of these authentically aligns with your own personal goals and identity as it relates to your education abroad experience? Why? Please provide concrete examples, experiences, and personal insight.
Submission Options: Applicants must submit a video (2 minutes or less) addressing the prompt above.
Please refer to the Opportunity Abroad Scholarship Rubric to help you learn about the criteria we use to review scholarships.
Opportunity Abroad Scholarship Submission Rubric
| Video Format | 0-1 Points | 2-3 Points | 4-5 Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality of video content | Overall quality of student response is low and the student doesn't adequately respond to the prompt | Student response is generic and/or lacking in depth and doesn't cover the prompt comprehensively | Student response is comprehensive and covers the prompt in depth |
| Concrete Examples of goals that relate to SLDOs ("the what") | Student speaks generally and does not highlight a personal goal in how they relate to the chosen SLDO | Student either speaks in general language OR does not highlight a personal goal to how they relate to the chosen SLDO | Student provides one or more compelling, specific personal goals related to the chosen SLDO |
| Connection to specific program elements ("the why") | Demonstrates weak connection to CEA CAPA program and/or uses language that would apply to any study abroad program or experience | Connection is somewhat evident but lacks intentionality. Includes moderate evidence of how their specific CEA CAPA program elements and/or structure connects to their goals | Extremely compelling and/or unique reasons for participating in program. References courses they plan to take, housing arrangements, country or city-specific cultural examples |
| Authentic Voice ("the how") | Ideas are disorganized and unclear, AND the applicant offers little to no personal information that fits into the context of their chosen program. No or very little evidence of authentic voice or personal narrative. Lacks clarity of thought, disorganized, and appears impromptu. | Ideas are somewhat disorganized and relatively unclear, OR the applicant offers little to no personal information that fits into the context of their chosen program. Some evidence of authentic voice or personal narrative. Appears somewhat cohesive but may lack organization or clarity of thought. | Ideas are organized and clear, AND the applicant offers compelling personal information that fits into the context of their chosen program. Student demonstrates developed personal opinions, structure to what they're going to say, feels natural yet, flow, etc. |
In alignment with Global Impact's commitment to sustainability, climate action, and environmental consciousness, we offer the CEA CAPA Sustainability Leadership Scholarship for need-based students. Recipients are expected to develop and promote a sustainability-focused project, in collaboration with onsite staff. Examples include organizing an end-of-semester food drive to be donated to a local non-profit, initiating a climate awareness program event, or launching a carbon footprint consciousness campaign.
Timing and Amount Spring Semester: $1000/up to three awards; Summer Semester: $1000/up to two awards; is not offered in the Fall Semester.
Prompt: One of CEA CAPA's six Student Learning and Development Objectives is "Sustainability & Migration" where students examine and engage their host context through the lens of sustainability. They consider factors shaping urban and rural spaces, how relationships with the environment contribute to national and regional discourses, and the impacts of their own actions. Through a sustainability lens, students discern elements of mobility and migration in their host context, identifying how these elements impact economics, politics, culture, and society on local and national levels.
- Using one or more of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), which of these areas has influenced your perspective towards sustainability? How might this relate to your education abroad program? (250 words or less).
- Please briefly describe your leadership experience with sustainability work. This can be during your high school years, during your undergraduate experience, or through previous work experience, activism, or advocacy work. (short answer - 250 words or less)
- How might you collaborate with CEA CAPA staff to develop and promote a sustainability-focused project at your program location? (short answer - 250 words or less)
Please refer to the Sustainability Leadership Scholarship Rubric to help you learn about the criteria we use to review scholarships.
Sustainability Leadership Scholarship Rubric
| 0-1 Points | 2-3 Points | 4-5 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length and quality of written statement (scored per response, total of up to 15 points available) | Under 150 words and ideas are disorganized, unclear, and/or include many spelling/grammar errors | Either under 200 words or ideas are somewhat disorganized/unclear and contain some spelling/grammar errors | Close to 250 words and is organized and clear (minimal grammar and spelling mistakes, complete sentences) |
| Concrete Examples of UN SDGs & relationship to education abroad program | Student does not highlight a specific UN SDG and does not relate the SDG to their program | Student either highlights a specific UN SDG or relates an SDG to their program but does not do both | Student provides one or more compelling, specific UN SDG(s) and clearly states how this relates to the program |
| Demonstration of leadership skills around sustainability | Does not provide clear examples of leadership skills or leadership skills relating specifically around sustainability | Provides clear examples of leadership skills, but does not connect those leadership skills to sustainability | Provides clear examples of leadership skills relating specifically around sustainability |
| Demonstration of plan to integrate sustainability into program | Does not demonstrate a specific plan to integrate sustainability into the program | Provides a plan to integrate sustainability into the program, but is unclear or not fully developed | Provides a clear, fully developed plan to integrate sustainability into the program |
The Career Development for All Scholarship demonstrates our commitment to supporting student career readiness among students with high financial need. In addition to receiving a monetary award, recipients also receive added benefits to support their career development. All awardees receive an individualized pre-departure career coaching session with one of CEA CAPA's NACE-certified career coaches to help recipients plan how they can maximize their career development before, during, and after their program.
Once onsite, recipients help organize CEA CAPA career development-related events and programming. Activities differ by location but examples include supporting employer panels and career-related workshops, organizing networking opportunities, and developing career-focused content in collaboration with our marketing team.
Timing and Amount (Fall: 2 awards at $5000; Spring: 2 awards at $5000; Summer: 6 awards at $2000)
Prompt: "Career and Professional Development" is one of our six Student Learning and Development Objectives that is intentionally built into all of our internship and study-only programs. How might your participation in this program foster career readiness and positively shape your professional future? How might you collaborate with CEA CAPA staff to support career development for all CEA CAPA students at your program location? Please submit a video addressing this prompt (2 min. max).
Please refer to the Career Development for All Scholarship Rubric, to help you learn about the criteria we use to review scholarships.
Career Development For All Scholarship Rubric
| Video Format | 0-1 Points | 2-3 Points | 4-5 Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quality of video content | Overall quality of student responses is low and the student doesn't adequately respond to the prompt | Student response is generic and/or lacking in depth and doesn't cover the prompt comprehensively | Student response is comprehensive and covers the prompt in depth |
| Concrete Examples of how participation in this program will contribute to career goals ("the what") | Student speaks generally and does not highlight an example of the program relating to their career and professional development | Student either speaks in general language or does not highlight an example of the program relating to their career and professional development | Student provides one or more compelling, specific example of the program relating to their career and professional development |
| Project proposal while on-site ("the how") | Student does not speak about a project idea or briefly mentions a vague idea | Student speaks to an idea for a project, but it is not specific to their location abroad and does not show prior research | Student speaks to a project idea that is specific to their location abroad and shows prior research |
| Connection to specific program elements ("the why") | Demonstrates weak connection to CEA CAPA program and/or uses language that would apply to any study abroad program or experience | Connection is somewhat evident but lacks intentionality. Includes moderate evidence of how their specific CEA CAPA program elements and/or structure connects to their professional goals. | Extremely compelling and/or unique reasons for participating in program. References courses they plan to take, housing arrangements, country or city-specific cultural examples. |
| Authentic Voice ("the how") | Ideas are disorganized and unclear, AND the applicant offers little to no personal information that fits into the context of their chosen program. No or very little evidence of authentic voice or personal narrative. Lacks clarity of thought, disorganized, and appears impromptu. | Ideas are somewhat disorganized and relatively unclear, OR the applicant offers little to no personal information that fits into the context of their chosen program. Some evidence of authentic voice or personal narrative. Appears somewhat cohesive but may lack organization or clarity of thought. | Ideas are organized and clear, and the applicant offers compelling personal information that fits into the context of their chosen program. Student demonstrates developed personal opinions, structure to what they're going to say, feels natural yet , flow, etc |
The CEA CAPA Academic Excellence Scholarship is our merit-based award for students demonstrating exceptional motivation in achieving their academic goals through education abroad. Students are not required to submit financial aid documentation.
Timing and Amount (Fall: 5 awards at $1000; Spring: 10 awards at $1000; Summer: 10 awards at $1000)
Prompt: CEA CAPA's mission is to empower students to become thoughtful and thriving leaders through living and learning abroad. How might living and learning abroad amplify your educational goals and enhance your undergraduate studies? (500 words or less)
Please refer to the Academic Excellence Rubric to help you learn about the criteria we use to review scholarships. (include jump link to rubric)
Academic Excellence Scholarship Rubric
| 0-1 Points | 2-3 Points | 4-5 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GPA (on a 4.0 scale) | 0 points: 3.5 or lower 1 point: 3.51 - 3.6 | 2 points: 3.61 - 3.7 3 points: 3.71 - 3.8 | 4 points: 3.81 - 3.9 5 points: 3.91 - 4.0 |
| Length of written statement | Under 300 words | Under 400 words, or more than 500 words | 400 - 500 words |
| Quality of written statement | Lack polish. Ideas are disorganized, unclear and/or contains many spelling/grammar errors | Ideas are somewhat disorganized or unclear, and contains some spelling/grammar errors | Is organized and clear (minimal grammar and spelling mistakes, complete sentences). |
External Scholarships
We encourage students to apply for as many external scholarships as they are eligible. Below are some scholarship opportunities available outside of CEA CAPA. Be sure to consult your Study Abroad Office and Financial Aid Office to inquire about additional opportunities.
- Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) Access Partnership
- FEA Rainbow Scholarship Fund
- Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
- Gilman-McCain Scholarship
- Mobility International
- National Italian American Foundation
- United Negro College Fund
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund
- HI USA Explore the World Travel Scholarship
Frequently Asked Questions
- When should I apply?
- What are the deadlines?
- How competitive are the scholarships?
- Do you accept late applications?
- Can I apply for multiple scholarships?
- I am participating in a Custom Program. Am I eligible for a scholarship?
- How are scholarship decisions made?
How competitive are the scholarships?
Our scholarships are highly competitive each term. Students who prioritize their enrollment in the fall term may see a better chance of receiving a scholarship due to decreased competition for these funding opportunities.
Do you accept late applications?
Due to the number of applications, we are not able to accept late applications.
Can I apply for multiple scholarships?
Students may apply for multiple scholarships but will only be awarded one.
I am participating in a Custom Program. Am I eligible for a scholarship?
CEA CAPA scholarships are available to students on custom programs that are 18 days or longer.
When are recipients notified?
Recipients are notified approximately one month after the scholarship deadline.
When and how are funds disbursed?
Scholarship awards are disbursed according to your institutional billing agreement. Please ask your CEA CAPA enrollment advisor to verify.
What documents do I need?
Please refer to the individual scholarship applications to determine which documents you will need to submit.
In which format should I submit my video?
Please submit the video hyperlink directly on the application.
Who do I contact if I have further questions?
Contact Scholarships (scholarships@ceacapa.com).