Studying abroad is a tremendously valuable experience that can help you gain a global perspective, develop independence and flexibility, and build lifelong skills. However, the costs of studying overseas often pose a significant barrier. Thankfully, there are diversity abroad scholarships available that can help make international education attainable.
What are Diversity Abroad Scholarships?
Diversity abroad scholarships are a distinct category of funding designed to increase accessibility to international education for underrepresented or minority groups. These scholarships aim to promote diversity, cultural exchange, and global competency by helping students who might otherwise be unable to afford to go abroad.
Some key attributes of diversity abroad scholarships:
- Focus on supporting students from minority populations or backgrounds underrepresented in study abroad, such as students of color, first-generation students, LGBTQ+ students, students with disabilities, etc.
- Consider financial need as a primary factor in eligibility, aiming to remove financial barriers.
- Administered by diverse organizations, including foreign governments, NGOs, universities, private foundations, and consortiums.
- Support semester or year-long study abroad programs, short-term programs, research projects, internships, language immersion, and more.
- Vary in award amounts but often provide $5,000 or more, which can cover a significant portion of international education costs.
The goal of diversity abroad scholarships is to promote inclusion and ensure students from all backgrounds have equal access to valuable global learning experiences regardless of financial limitations. With the right strategy and preparation, these scholarships can help fund your international education dreams.
Step 1: Research funding opportunities
The first step is to research and identify diversity abroad scholarship programs that fit your profile, planned study abroad destination(s), field of study, and timeframes. Start broad and focus on possibilities before narrowing your search.
Here are some top databases and organizations to explore:
- Diversity Abroad: This database exclusively lists diversity scholarships for international education. Browse by deadline, amount, and eligibility.
- Study Abroad Funding Database: A leading collection of diverse study abroad scholarships compiled by EducationAbroad.com. Filter by location, budget, and more.
- Foundation Directory Online: Search this extensive foundation database for those that specifically fund international education or programs aligned with your demographic.
- Fastweb Scholarship Database: A well-known free database for all types of scholarships. Use targeted searches like “study abroad scholarships for Hispanic students.”
- Individual university study abroad offices: Check your home institution’s website, as many provide internal diversity abroad scholarships.
- Private scholarship search engines: Sites like ScholarshipOwl.com allow customized searches for study abroad awards.
Set time aside each week to systematically review opportunities. Make yourself aware of multiple relevant options well in advance of deadlines. The more applications you submit, the better your chances of winning an award.
Step 2: Evaluate eligibility requirements
Once you’ve generated a list of potential funding sources, carefully review each program’s detailed eligibility criteria and requirements. Consider the following:
- Academic requirements: Does the program require a certain GPA/class standing? An intended major?
- Demographic requirements: Do you meet the diversity qualifications in terms of race, ethnicity, first-generation status, etc?
- Planning requirements: Is a specific study location or timeframe mandated? Do you have plans that align?
- Residency requirements: Must you be a citizen/permanent resident of the nominating/sponsoring country?
- Application requirements: What supplemental documents are needed – essay, transcripts, references, budget forms, etc?
- Deadlines: Are you able to apply in a timely manner before the listed due date?
Only pursue scholarships where you unambiguously satisfy each prerequisite. Don’t waste your time or jeopardize opportunities by applying if any eligibility benchmark remains unclear or you fall short.
Step 3: Develop strong application materials
Once you’ve identified several diversity abroad scholarships that align with your qualifications and aims, it’s time to craft competitive application packages. Stand out from other candidates with:
- Persuasive personal statements: Convey your background, passion for global learning, and intended impact clearly yet concisely.
- Thorough study plans: Provide details on your selected program, location, courses, language goals, internships, etc.
- Substantial budgets: Ask your study abroad office to draft a comprehensive program budget to demonstrate financial need realistically.
- Impressive resumes: Highlight related experiences abroad, work, research, and leadership activities succinctly.
- Meaningful letters of recommendation: Request reviews from instructors and mentors who really know your abilities and character.
- Outstanding transcripts: Show your academic track record and GPA proudly but honestly.
- Thorough research: Demonstrate familiarity with each scholarship program in your essays and materials.
Have multiple mentors and advisors review your application packages analytically. Make revisions based on feedback to sharpen components over time. Quality beats quantity here – focus on polishing select packages exceptionally well.
Step 4: Ace the interview
Some top diversity abroad scholarship programs culminate the selection process with an interview, usually conducted virtually nowadays. Treat any scheduled interview seriously:
- Prepare extensively: Review all past application materials and program details in depth. Craft relevant stories and examples to demonstrate your fit and ambitions thoroughly.
- Practice: Role-play sample interview questions with peers, advisors, or career centers to rehearse presenting yourself confidently yet naturally under pressure.
- Mind appearance: Dress professionally from the waist up and select an adequately lit, quiet space for optimal video quality. Test technical aspects like microphone and webcam beforehand.
- Engage thoughtfully: Make enthusiastic eye contact, ask clarifying questions, genuinely listen to and answer queries thoroughly but concisely.
- Review afterward: Reflect on your performance alone and with a mentor to identify any areas needing additional poise or readiness for similar situations down the road.
Interviews elevate your candidacy from paper to personality. With preparation, you’ll nail chances to convey your merit and motivation directly to selection committees.
Step 5: Follow up as needed
As deadlines near and decisions unfold, remain proactive by:
- Checking portals regularly for updates on application status or next steps.
- Following up respectfully and professionally if timelines shift or clarification is needed on any open questions.
- Quickly send requested missing or additional required documentation promptly if notified.
- Thanking reviewers briefly for their consideration and reiterating your enthusiasm should a program inquire further or choose alternate candidates initially.
- Celebrating awards successfully earned and responsibly declining any opportunities no longer being pursued actively to allow offers to transfer to waitlisted peers.
Constant communication shows continued engagement and interest, which may assist positively during final determinations. Persistence with professionalism can aid in securing support whenever possible.
Step 6: Maintain strong academics abroad
Once awarded diversity abroad scholarship funding, it’s crucial to represent the confidence and investment placed in you well overseas through:
- Focusing intensely on your approved academic goals and challenges abroad.
- Becoming directly involved with intentional intercultural learning on topics of diversity and social justice within host communities.
- Documenting how your experiences advance intended personal or professional aims articulated in applications.
- Communicating regularly with home advisors, mentors abroad, and scholarship sponsors through updates and assessments.
- Expressing sincere appreciation through thank you notes highlighting global insights cultivated.
- Providing appropriate records upon return to verify successful program completion per terms.
Your dedication will further worthy causes of the scholarship programs while adding profound skills and understanding to carry through all future pathways. Seize each day fully abroad to maximize lifelong growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to common questions students have about diversity abroad scholarships:
1. What are the most competitive diversity abroad scholarships to pursue?
Some top nationally and globally competitive programs include the Boren Awards, Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, Fund for Education Abroad Critical Language Scholarship, and Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship. Large foundation-backed awards administered through resources like the IIE also present strong chances.
2. Can international students apply for US-based diversity scholarships?
Many prominent diversity abroad scholarships are open solely to US citizens or permanent residents due to their federal funding sources. However, some private foundations or NGO programs accept international applicants studying in the US who represent demographics that aim to serve globally. Be sure to thoroughly check each award’s stated eligibility rules.
3. Is it possible to stack multiple study abroad scholarships?
In many cases, yes – assuming the terms of each scholarship allow layering with other aid sources. Most federal and larger programs prohibit doubling up on their specific funding. However you may be able to supplement a primary award with additional university/departmental or smaller national/regional scholarships. Just confirm combinations are permitted and won’t trigger reductions in any grants.
4. What are some good reasons to request letters of recommendation?
Strong letters of recommendation will emphasize your merit candidacy beyond just your financial needs. Ask recommenders who know your academic abilities and professionalism well, such as professors, advisors, or supervisors, and can personally testify to your suitability, work ethic, cultural sensitivity, and likelihood of success abroad. Compelling LORs help round out your application and highlight why you specifically deserve funding support.
5. How long should I plan to spend researching and applying for scholarships?
The scholarship search and application process takes significant time if done thoroughly. For strong diversity abroad programs, plan to dedicate 5-7 months minimum to scholarly research of opportunities, qualifying your candidacy fitness, developing high-caliber application materials, scheduling interviews, and following up accordingly prior to deadlines. Start exploration as early as possible – at least by the fall semester for programs with deadlines the following spring. Managing deadlines appropriately demonstrates initiative and organization that favor award selection.