API Scholarships

API awards millions of dollars in study abroad scholarships annually ranging from $250 – $2,000 per student. We encourage you to apply for as many scholarships as you qualify for, and don’t forget to refer to the list of additional scholarship and funding resources included below.

Student group jumping on beach
Students in Barcelona

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.

APIConnect Scholarships

 

Through the generosity of the API Foundation, a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, API provides millions of scholarship dollars to students of our Member and Affiliate colleges and universities. If you attend one of these institutions and are interested in securing one of these scholarships, please complete the form below before applying to your API program. We will then watch for your API program application and notify you of your scholarship status upon acceptance into your API program.

Deadlines are:

  • Summer session students – March 15th
  • Fall and Academic Year Session students – May 1st
  • Spring session students – November 1st

API Category Scholarships

API Category Scholarships are yet an additional way to secure funds to help cover the costs of your API program. These scholarships, in amounts between $250 and $2,000, are for individuals who meet the specific criteria for each category listed below.

API Early Bird Scholarship

The Early Bird scholarship is designed to encourage students to apply early to capture savings and the confidence of knowing that a portion of the financial burden is already covered! Students who apply can earn up to $1,000 for their qualifying API program.

The scholarship application window for these programs are as follows:

  • Summer Programs: November 15 to January 15
  • Fall/Academic Year Programs: November 15 to January 15
  • Spring Programs: June 1 to July 31

APPLY NOW  >

API Diversity Scholarship

API is proud to provide a scholarship supports those who hail from a variety of backgrounds. This scholarship award is up to $2,000 and is available for academic year, quarter/semester, or summer students. In order to be eligible, applicants must identify as one or more of the following: a minority student, a student with a disability, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, a U.S. military veteran, and/or a non-traditional student (30 years old or older), and who can demonstrate financial need.

This scholarship is also tied to use of your financial aid for your program, and you can combine your request to use financial aid with the submission for this scholarship. That’s one less form to complete!

The scholarship application deadlines for this program are as follows:

  • Summer Programs: February 15
  • Fall/Academic Year Programs: February 15
  • Spring Programs: September 15

APPLY NOW >

API Financial Aid Boost Scholarship

API is proud to provide a scholarship that not only supports those who hail from a variety of backgrounds, but who may also need additional financial support to experience one of our programs. This scholarship award is up to $2,000 and is available for academic year, quarter/semester, or summer students.

This scholarship is also tied to use of your financial aid for your program, and you can combine your request to use financial aid with the submission for this scholarship. That’s one less form to complete!

There are no deadlines for this scholarship application.

APPLY NOW >

API First Generation Scholarship

API is pleased to support participants on our programs who are the first in their families to attend a college or university in the United States. The First Generation Scholarship award ranges from $250 to $750 per session and is available for academic year, quarter/semester, and summer students. In order to be eligible, students must meet the following requirements: have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher; students who do not have a parent or guardian who attained a four-year degree from a US institution or students with parents who completed a four-year degree at an institution outside the U.S.; show financial need.

The scholarship application deadlines for this program are as follows:

  • Summer Programs: February 15
  • Fall/Academic Year Programs: February 15
  • Spring Programs: September 15

APPLY NOW >

API Community or Technical College

This scholarship is offered to API participants who attend a community or technical college in the U.S., and awards range from $250 to $750 per session.

The scholarship application deadlines for this program are as follows:

  • Summer Programs: February 15
  • Fall/Academic Year Programs: February 15
  • Spring Programs: September 15

APPLY NOW >

API STEM Scholarship

The API STEM scholarship is offered for API participants who are studying science, technology, engineering or mathematics. The API STEM Scholarship award ranges from $250 to $750 and is available for academic year, quarter/semester, and summer students. In order to be be eligible, students must meet the following requirements: have a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher; major in an area classified as a STEM field (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics); show financial need. Special consideration will be given to students who are taking courses related to their major while abroad.

The scholarship application deadlines for this program are as follows:

  • Summer Programs: February 15
  • Fall/Academic Year Programs: February 15
  • Spring Programs: September 15

APPLY NOW >

API Student Athlete Scholarship

It is not an easy task to juggle the demands of college athletics with academic responsibilities while pursuing other interests on campus. API supports both current and college-bound student-athletes participating on our programs. We welcome student-athletes across all divisions of the NCAA, NAIA, and NJCAA to apply. The API Student-Athlete Scholarship award ranges from $250 to $750 and is available for academic year, quarter/semester, and summer students.

The scholarship application deadlines for this program are as follows:

  • Summer Programs: February 15
  • Fall/Academic Year Programs: February 15
  • Spring Programs: September 15

APPLY NOW >

API Video Scholarship

Ready to capture your experience on film and share it with the world? Then, you should apply for the API Video Scholarship! Applicants should be film, photography, animation or motion graphics majors, or be able to demonstrate your awesome videography skills. Winners of this scholarship can receive $500-$1,000 to take videos while on their study or intern abroad program.

The scholarship application deadlines for this program are as follows:

  • Summer Programs: February 15
  • Fall/Academic Year Programs: February 15
  • Spring Programs: September 15

APPLY NOW >

API Photo Scholarship

Show off your skills as a budding photographer by applying for and winning this scholarship. Applicants need to be photography, journalism, RTF majors or similar or be able to share/explain your passion for beautiful photography. Winners of this scholarship can receive $500-$1,000 to take photos while on their study or intern abroad program.

The scholarship application deadlines for this program are as follows:

  • Summer Programs: February 15
  • Fall/Academic Year Programs: February 15
  • Spring Programs: September 15

APPLY NOW >

API High School Scholarship

API will award two $250 scholarships to participants on our summer high school programs. Applicants should submit one letter of recommendation, separate from the letter provided for the API program application, and a personal essay highlighting any financial need or other special circumstances and describing what they hope to achieve personally and academically during their session abroad.

The scholarship application deadlines for this program are as follows:

  • Summer Programs: February 15
  • Fall/Academic Year Programs: February 15
  • Spring Programs: September 15

APPLY NOW >

API Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship

The Gilman Scholarship Program offers awards for undergraduate study abroad and was established by the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000. 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 participate in study abroad programs worldwide.

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 study abroad program, or up to $500 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.

For more information on the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, including requirements and deadlines, please visit: http://www.iie.org/en/Programs.

APPLY NOW >

PARTNER INSTITUTION SCHOLARSHIPS 

Students may use the API Scholarship Application and follow the same deadline schedule for these host institutions scholarships as well.

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!

APPLY NOW >

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.

APPLY NOW >

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

APPLY NOW >

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.

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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!

APPLY NOW >

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.

APPLY NOW >

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.

APPLY NOW >

MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIPS

These scholarships have their own application, which is linked below each scholarship. 

Tuscania Italy

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.

Apply for the Lauren Lund Memorial Scholarship

Vina del Mar Chile

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.

Laura W. Bush Traveling Fellowship – The fellowship is intended for American college/university students who express an interest in international collaboration but as of yet had not been afforded many opportunities to travel abroad.

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!

The Jane Gluckman and Carol Rausch “Go Global” Scholarship This scholarship will be awarded to one student each year planning to study abroad in Mexico, Central America, South America, France, or Germany.

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.

UAL Award for Study Abroad – These awards reward outstanding students who have been accepted on to the study abroad programs at University of the Arts London. Up to four awards are made to students per year in the amount of £1500, awarded on-site

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.

1800wheelchair.com

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

National Security Education Program – Open to most majors; intended to promote awareness, safety, and service.

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.

Diversity Abroad Overseas Ambassador Program – The Overseas Ambassador Program is an initiative created for current students or recent graduates who are planning to study, intern, volunteer or teach abroad. Overseas Ambassadors earn a stipend in return for representing Diversity Abroad, writing articles, and sharing experiences while abroad. Geared toward economically disadvantaged students, first-generation, students with disabilities and ethnically and racially diverse students.

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.