Financial Resources

Study abroad is an investment in your future, but that doesn't mean it has to break the bank. By planning ahead and taking advantage of available resources, you can make your international experience as cost-effective as it is rewarding.

Many scholarships are available specifically for MCC students studying abroad. Be sure to talk with your Study Abroad Advisor about the many scholarship opportunities available to you.

Many scholarship opportunities are available exclusively to MCC students participating in our programs. Students should work with their study abroad advisor in our office to find out which scholarships are best for them.

Students can also use their financial aid and other scholarships to help pay for study abroad. With regard to financial aid and other scholarships they typically receive, we recommend students meet with a Financial Aid Counselor in the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships to learn about how they can use this aid for study abroad.

International Institute Scholarship Policies

In order for MCC students to receive study abroad needs-based scholarships through the International Institute, they must apply for the scholarships at least 30 days prior to the start of the academic semester in which their program takes place. For example, if the student is enrolled in a Winter study abroad course and that course starts January 15th, they must apply for the scholarship prior to December 15th. Students who apply at least 30 days prior to the start of their study abroad semester, are eligible to receive up to 100% of the study abroad course fee.

Tuition and/or other fees are not covered by this scholarship. There are no guarantees of how much assistance will be awarded.

Students who apply less than 30 days prior to the start of their study abroad semester, are only eligible to receive up to 50% of the cost of their course fee. Tuition and/or other fees are not covered by this scholarship. There are no guarantees of how much assistance will be awarded.

No study abroad scholarship applications are accepted once the study abroad semester has begun.

If payment was previously secured through Financial Aid, students do not qualify for a reimbursement from the International Institute study abroad scholarships. Exceptions will be made for the 2023-2024 academic year only for Reconnect recipients who were unable to secure additional financial aid/assistance (including loans). However, there are no guarantees of how much assistance will be awarded.

External Funding Resources

Brenda Brown Passport Scholarship Application

• The scholarship is open to all United States citizens in high school and college.
• Candidates must be applying for their first-ever United States passport.
• The candidate must be ready to Apply for a passport within two months of accepting the offer and funds.
• Apply for the Brenda Brown Scholarship

American Association for the Advancement of Science: International Funding Opportunities for Women in STEM

• Multiple funding programs provide some ancillary support to women in science and to a certain extent anyone working with women and internationally

American Institute for Foreign Studies

• Study abroad scholarships and grants provided to summer and semester students who demonstrate high academic achievement
• Most scholarships if awarded offers $1,000
• Grants come in amounts of $400 for semester programs and $200 for summer programs
• Application deadline varies for each scholarship or grant

National Security Education Program (NSEP) David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholarship

• Available to undergraduate students of any major
• Must be a U.S. citizen
• NESP focuses on languages and fields of study critical to U.S.national security
• Students must be traveling to countries outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand
• Scholarship award amount worth up to $8,000 for a summer, $10,000 for a semester, and up to $20,000 for an academic year

Bridging Scholarships for Study Abroad in Japan

• Available to undergraduate students participating in international exchange programs in Japan and who have an interest in Japan, its culture and its language
• Scholarship award amount worth up to $4,000
• Application deadline for spring programs is in October and April for fall and year-long programs

CIEE Study Abroad (Council on International Educational Exchange)

• Scholarships and grants offered to students who are studying abroad
• Strongly considers financial need and academic excellence
• Application deadline is April 1 (same year as studying abroad) for summer, fall and academic year programs and November 1 (year prior to studying abroad) for winter, spring and calendar year programs

Critical Language Scholarship (CLS)

• Provide fully-funded group-based intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences for seven to ten weeks for U.S. citizen undergraduate, Master's and PhD students
• Countries may include: Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, China, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, Russia, South Korea, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkey, or others where the target languages are spoken

DAAD German Academic Exchange Service

• Available to undergraduate and graduate students majoring in German studies and participating in study, research, a senior thesis, or internships in Germany
• Scholarship can be used for short-term or long-term programs in Germany
• Scholarship award amount varies

Diversity Abroad Scholarships

• A great resource for scholarships offered to minority, low income and first generation college students.

Freeman-ASIA Award

• Available to undergraduate students of any major with an interest in greater understanding of Asian peoples and cultures
• Little to no prior experience in Asia
• Students must file FASFA
• Students be accepted into an approved program and attending a minimum 8 week summer or 12 week summer semester program in East and Southeast Asia
• Scholarship award amounts are up to $3,000 (summer), $5,000 (semester), $7,000 (AY)
• Application deadlines are October, March, or April depending on start date of program

Fund for Education Abroad

• U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S.
• Study abroad program must include at least 4 weeks (30 days) in country/countries
• Preferences for academically rigorous and immersive study abroad program, study of the host country language, study abroad program with a sustainable service-learning / volunteering component, non-traditional destination, student demonstrates financial need, students who represent a group that is traditionally underrepresented in education abroad (minorities, first-generation college students, community college students, students with disabilities, student athletes, veterans, returning learners)

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

• Available to undergraduate students of any major (Critical Need Language study funds available)
• Must be receiving Federal Pell Grant Fall or Spring only
• Scholarship award amount up to $5,000

Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants

• Available to undergraduate students with a cumulative GPA of 3.75 or higher
• 50 Scholarships awarded in the amount of $1,000 dollars

Rotary International Scholarships

• Available to undergraduate students
• Country must have a Rotary Chapter
• Scholarship award amount ranges from $1,000 to $25,000
• Students should contact their local chapters for application details and local deadlines
• For more information contact (847) 866-3000 or by email

Fulbright U.S. Student Program

• Available to graduating seniors or recent graduates
• Scholarship helps covers travel and living expenses

Point Foundation

• Nation's largest higher education scholarship-granting organization for LGBTQ students
• Must be enrolled in a degree-granting undergraduate or graduate/doctoral program
• Must be "out" as a person who identifies as a member of the LGBTQ community

Tinker Field Research Grants

• Fund travel and research costs of master’s and doctoral candidates pursuing field research in Latin America toward their theses or dissertations, to be expended 75% for transportation, 25% for food, lodging, and research costs
• Awarded by the Center for Latin American Studies for brief periods (usually no longer than three months) of pre-dissertation research in Latin America (or on Latin American topics in Spain or Portugal)

Insight into Diversity Global Engagement Scholarship

• Goal of the $2,500 scholarship is to encourage global engagement among underrepresented and diverse students whose backgrounds represent a broad cross section of our society including students with disabilities, different race and ethnic populations, religious backgrounds, LGTBQIA, first generation students, students from rural or isolated areas and students with low socio-economic status.
• Preference will be given to students from the United States who have not traveled or studied abroad previously.
• Applications can be submitted via email to [email protected].

Additional Information