API Scholarships
Through the generosity of the API Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, API provides millions of scholarship dollars to students each year. We encourage you to apply for the scholarships listed below, and don’t forget to continue to scroll to the list of funding resources and partner scholarships listed below API’s scholarships.
Experience the World with API
API-FUNDED SCHOLARSHIPS
Review the scholarships that API offers, the requirements for each, as well as the award amounts that are available.
API’s Early Bird Scholarship
The API Early Bird Scholarship is designed to recognize students for being proactive and planning ahead. Award amounts go up to $1,000 for semester and up to $500 for short-term programs, such as Jan Term or summer sessions.
Deadlines are as follows:
- Spring Sessions: October 15th
- Summer Sessions: February 15th
- Fall Sessions: April 1st
Additional API Scholarships
These additional API scholarships are yet an additional way to secure funds to help cover the costs of your API program. These scholarships are for individuals who meet the specific criteria for each category listed below. The Financial Aid Boost Scholarship and Gilman Scholarships are designed to help students who are able to demonstrate financial need and may be combined with the other scholarships. Students applying for multiple scholarships may not receive more than one award with the exception of the Financial Aid Boost and Gilman scholarships.
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API Opportunity Scholarship
The API Opportunity Scholarship is designed to support students who identify with groups that are underrepresented in experiential learning. These include, LGBTQ students, minority students, first gen students, students attending Community College, STEM major students, and athletes. This scholarship is for up to $1,000.
Deadlines:
- Spring Sessions: November 1st
- Summer Sessions: March 15th
- Fall Sessions: May 1st
API Academic Excellence Scholarship
API’s Academic Excellence Scholarship is a merit based scholarship, and students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 to apply. An official transcript must be submitted in APIConnect in order to qualify. The scholarship is for up to $1,000.
Deadlines:
- Spring Sessions: November 1st
- Summer Sessions: March 15th
- Fall Sessions: May 1st
API Financial Aid Boost Scholarship
The API Financial Aid Boost Scholarship is designed to support students with greater financial needs and requires submission of the FAVF. It is for up to $1,000 and can be combined with one of API’s merit scholarships, including the Early Bird, Opportunity, and Academic Excellence scholarships.
The FAFV form/application must be summitted prior to the start date of your program.
API Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship
Students participating in an API program who have been awarded a Gilman scholarship will be eligible to receive up to $1,000 in matching contributions from API for a semester program, or up to $500 in matching contributions from API shorter term programs, such as Jan term and summer. This scholarship may be combined with the merit-based scholarships, including the Early Bird, Opportunity, and Academic Excellence scholarships.
To receive this award, Gilman winners need to submit their Gilman Award Notification letter. No additional application is necessary.
Gilman Award Letters must be submitted prior to your API program start date.
PARTNER INSTITUTION SCHOLARSHIPS
Students may use the API Scholarship Application and follow the same deadline schedule for these host institutions scholarships as well.
API- UNIVERSITY ARTS LONDON
Check out UAL’s summer and semester study scholarships that could help you make your dream a reality!
API- MASSEY UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP
Are you heading to Massey University in Wellington, New Zealand? If so, I have some great news for you! You could be one of our lucky students to win the Massey University scholarship of up to $4,000! To apply, you must apply for this program and complete the API scholarship application. Students will be considered for this scholarship and awarded as indicated above!
API-JCU EARLY BIRD SCHOLARSHIP
Students who are interested in studying abroad with API at John Cabot University in Rome have the opportunity to earn a $200 – $250 program fee deduction, simply by completing their API online application in advance of the application deadlines for either JCU Fall, Spring, or Academic Year programs.
In order to qualify for this scholarship, students must submit their complete application to the API/JCU program according to the following schedule:
- Fall: On or before January 31st – $250 scholarship
- Spring: On or before August 30 – $250 scholarship
- If you attend a school that pays your study abroad costs directly, you should speak to your study abroad office about how this scholarship will be applied to your account.
API JCU Diversity Scholarship
The API-JCU Diversity Scholarship provides one full tuition award per session abroad (fall, spring, summer 1 or summer 2 session) to an outstanding API minority student participating in the John Cabot University Program in Rome, Italy. In order to be eligible, students must meet the following requirements: accepted to API’s Direct Enrollment Program at John Cabot University in Rome; identify as black/African-American, Hispanic/Latino, Asian/Asian-American, or Native American.
The scholarship application deadlines for this program are as follows:
- Summer Programs: February 28
- Fall/Academic Year Programs: February 28
- Spring Programs: September 15
API-AUT UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship is open to API students participating in our program at AUT University in Auckland, New Zealand, and offers 2 deserving participants each semester a $500 award.
API-Instituto San Joaquin de Flores Partner Scholarships
These scholarships are open to API students participating in one of our semester or academic year programs at the Instituto San Joaquin de Flores in Costa Rica. Participants who are accepted into the Spanish Language and Latin American Studies program can receive a Partner Scholarship in the amount of $1,650 per term, and participants who are accepted in either the Sustainability and Environmental Studies program or the Gap Sustainability and Environmental Studies program can receive a Partner Scholarship in the amount of $2,000 per term!
API – MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship is open to API students participating in our program at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, and offers 2 deserving participants each semester a $500 AUD award.
Featured Partner Scholarship
API – MIDDLEBURY INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES SCHOLARSHIP
The Middlebury Institute educates professionals to advance understanding, promote peace, and drive change in pursuit of a more just world. Our graduates have meaningful careers in international affairs, international security, trade and diplomacy, environmental policy. The Middlebury Institute guarantees 25% scholarships to API Global Leadership Academy alumni who enroll in our on-site master’s degrees.
MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS
These scholarships have their own application, which is linked below each scholarship.
API-LAUREN LUND MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship fund was created in memory of Lauren Elizabeth Lund of Bemidji, Minnesota. Lauren studied in Tuscania through the API program at Lorenzo de’Medici (LdM) in the fall of 2015. Lauren’s passion for learning, languages, wine, and coffee brought her to Tuscania. While there, she greatly enjoyed learning from the locals and the more relaxed lifestyle. In addition to her academics, Lauren’s favorite experience in Italy was being immersed in the culture through time spent with her host family, including weekly dinners with her host family grandmothers. Lauren was known for her love of life, friendship, and dedication to others. In establishing this scholarship, Lauren’s family would like to ensure that another student would be able to have an experience in Italy similar to Lauren’s. The Lauren Lund Memorial Scholarship will provide for full tuition for one student (participating in either the API Tuscania OR the API Two Italies in Florence and Tuscania program) each spring term.
API-ROSE SIMONSEN FRANKE / LA GRINGA LOCA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
This scholarship fund was created in memory of Rose Simonsen Franke of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. While a student at the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, Rose studied in Valparaíso, Chile through API at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Valparaíso. Rose’s passion for the South American culture and the water led her to the Valparaíso Region of Chile. She followed her dreams and lived life to the fullest. During her study abroad time, she embraced the Chilean culture and people. She became involved with the local surf community, even teaching surf lessons, and making many friends while there. After graduation, Rose returned to the country she fell in love with. She found a job and became part of the local surf community. She earned the nickname “La Gringa Loca”. Rose was known for her passion for life and adventure, her friendship and her care for the environment. Rose’s family would like to honor her memory by giving others the chance to follow their dreams and hopefully have a similar experience in Chile. The La Gringa Loca Scholarship will provide one student with $1,500 toward a fall study abroad term in Chile.
Apply for the Rose Simonsen Franke / La Gringa Loca Memorial Scholarship
Additional Scholarships and Funding Resources
This is a list of outside resources that you may pursue to help finance your study abroad experience. We also recommend that you check with your school’s study abroad office and/or financial aid office in addition to the resources below. Please be aware that this list is not all-inclusive.
Scholarship and Loan Directories
GoAbroad.com – Search scholarships using various criteria. GoAbroad also offers a $500 scholarship for use on any study abroad program.
StudyAbroad.com – Financial aid and scholarship links.
African American Scholarships – Directory of scholarships and internship opportunities.
Fund for Education Abroad – Provides information and links to a variety of scholarships.
The College Board – Directory of over 6 billion in scholarships and other aid opportunities.
Collegenet – Search scholarships by your personal profile.
Davis-Putter Scholarship – provides grants to students actively working for peace and justice.
EDsmart — Scholarship resource directory for Hispanic and Latinx students.
Fast Web – This service provides a free customized list of financial aid sources including private sector scholarships, fellowships, grants, and loans.
The Financial Aid Page – Provides links to scholarship searches and a comprehensive list of financial aid information.
Fulbright – The Fulbright Program funds ventures that aim to increase mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States and other countries, through the exchange of persons, knowledge and skills. Available to recent graduates, post-graduate candidates, and developing professionals.
GoEnnounce.com – Crowdfunding and study abroad scholarships.
Institute for Humane Studies Fellowships – Awarded to students to help them take advantage of opportunities that can enhance their abilities and credentials to pursue careers that involve the communication of ideas.
National Society of High School Scholars Foundation – The NSHSS Foundation provides STEM scholarships for underrepresented groups in order to help reduce financial barriers for those with academic and leadership potential and the desire to pursue STEM careers.
Sara’s Wish Scholarship Fund – Awarded to young women committed to making the world a better place by fully participating in it.
Student Loans Network – Loans that require enrollment verification but not school certification.
Diversity Scholarships
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants – Scholarships for minority accounting students.
Association of American Indian Affairs – Scholarship programs for Native Americans.
Education Loan Finance (ELFI) – Scholarships for Latino and Hispanic students
Education Loan Finance (ELFI) – Scholarships for African American students
Hispanic Scholarship Consortium — In collaboration with member organizations, benefactors, professional groups, colleges, universities and dedicated individuals, HSC provides sizable, renewable scholarships.
LNESC Scholarships — LNESC provides a number of scholarship opportunities for Latino students.
The National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME) – Scholarship program for those students who are part of an under-represented minority and enrolled in an engineering program at a NACME partner university.
The Fund for Education Abroad – FEA invests in deserving U.S. undergraduates who are least likely to study abroad.
Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship Programme – The programme aims to support those who wish to rediscover and reconnect to their Hungarian heritage and want to improve their Hungarian language skills and cultural knowledge as well.
NAFSA Rainbow SIG – This scholarship is awarded to a deserving LGBTQI student who aims to participate in a high-quality, rigorous education abroad program.
Regional Scholarships
Boren Awards for International Study – Boren Scholarships allow U.S. undergraduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests but underrepresented in study abroad.
BUTEX North American Scholarships – Open to students participating in a semester or academic year study abroad program in England through API.
Association of American Study Abroad Programmes – Scholarships for U.S. students studying abroad in the U.K.
BASAA – Boston Area Study Abroad Association – A scholarship awarded to a deserving student who attends a U.S. university/college located in Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, or Connecticut.
Cultural Bridge Scholarships – In accordance with their mission to facilitate life-changing international experiences, Weekend Student Adventures (WSA), a student travel organization, has created these scholarships to allow students the incredible, enriching opportunity to study abroad in Europe.
Fund for Education Abroad – $5000 semester awards, $1250-$2500 summer awards (depends on program length), for use on any program in Ireland including provider programs like API.
The GRIT (Globally Remarkable Intentional Talent) program is a year-long scholarship and leadership program for young adults (18-30 years old).
Hostelling International “Explore the World” Travel Scholarship – This is a particularly good option for participants on API’s teach, work, and volunteer programs!
LIV Fund – LIVFund was established in 2011 in order to recognize and proudly support study, internship and volunteer opportunities in Latin America.
Lord Acton Memorial Scholarship – Provides a deserving study abroad student with financial support to pursue academic study in the U.K.
Macquarie Student Representative Scholarship – Provides a tuition scholarship of AUD $1,000 for promotional assistance with the international program.
The George J. Mitchell Scholarships – Funds graduate study in Ireland or Northern Ireland for one year.
Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation -Scholarships for undergraduate and graduate studies in Spain.
Trinity College Dublin – Trinity College Dublin offers a number of scholarships open to study abroad students including awards for academic excellence, STEM, and more.
Scholarships for Students with Disabilities
Affordable Colleges Online – offers a number of resources of scholarships for students with varying disabilities, including Autism Spectrum Disorders, deaf and hard of hearing, learning disabilities, orthopedic disabilities, speech disorders, visual impairment, and more.
Mobility International – Financial aid for international exchange with disabilities.
MoneyGeek – Higher education scholarships for students with disabilities.
Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships – Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
The 1800wheelchair scholarship awards two $500 scholarships each year. Scholarships are awarded to those attending a U.S. based institution. All applications are welcome.
American Association on Health and Disability (AAHD) Scholarship Program
Applicant must be enrolled full time in an undergraduate or graduate a school, and have a documented disability. Applicant must be a US citizen or legal resident living in the US and enrolled in an accredited US University. Preference will be given to students majoring in public health, disability studies, disability research, health promotion or a field related to disability and health.
Services and Honor Society Scholarships
Phi Kappa Phi Society Study Abroad Grants: Open to Phi Kappa Phi members as well as non‐members in all fields of study.
Internship Scholarships
Next of Us Intern Opportunity Fund – Scholarship opportunity partnered with Pay Our Interns to assist college students in overcoming financial hurdles as they pursue unpaid or underpaid internships.
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship – This scholarship provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to pursue academic studies or credit-bearing, career-oriented internships abroad.
Students participating in an API program who have been awarded a Gilman scholarship will be eligible to receive up to $1,000 in matching contributions from API for an intern abroad program. To receive this award, Gilman winners should indicate their scholarship details on their financial aid information after acceptance to an API study abroad program.
Cultural Vistas Fellowship – A fully-funded fellowship program affording underrepresented U.S. university students the opportunity to intern for eight weeks with organizations in Argentina, Germany, or Southeast Asia.
DIWC Scholarship – The Diverse International Women Of Color Summer Study Abroad Scholarship is intended to assist women of color who are exceptional in their studies and in need of financial assistance to study abroad. DIWC will award (5) $500 scholarships to women of color who have been accepted to a In-Person Summer 2021 Study Abroad Program, including internships.
GoAbroad.com Internship Scholarships Directory – A directory of many different scholarships for a variety of program types including international internships.
Crowdfunding and Fundraising Websites
FundMyTravel– Create your own travel campaign to raise funds for your trip.
Fundly – An online fundraising platform.
GoEnnounce.com – Crowdfunding and study abroad scholarships.
GoFundMe.com – Create your own personal fundraising website.
GoGetFunding.com – Crowdfunding platform.
Rally.org – An online social fundraising platform.