Scholarships : Office of Global Affairs : UMass Amherst

Begin researching scholarship opportunities as early as possible. Most scholarship deadlines are in the term prior to your study abroad experience, however some have only one deadline per year. Make the most of your opportunities by applying for all scholarships that match your qualifications. The more scholarships you apply for, the greater your chances of receiving financial support.

Don't depend on scholarships to afford your study abroad program. Award announcements are often made after commitment deadlines for study abroad programs. Make sure to choose a program that you can afford without scholarships just in case you don’t receive additional funding.

Fall 2026 Study Abroad Scholarship Advising Series

Explore scholarship opportunities, learn how to build a strong application, and get personalized support along the way! Join a Scholarship Overview on Zoom to learn the funding opportunities, application process, and strategies for building a strong application, and then attend an Application Lab to work on your scholarship essays in community with OGA staff available for support.

Scholarships Overview

Every other Thursday, 12:00–12:45 p.m.: September 10, September 24, October 8, October 22

Virtual via Zoom

Scholarship Application Labs

Fridays, 2:00–4:00 p.m.: September 11, September 18, September 25, October 16, and October 23

📍 In-person at the Global Education Advising Center

Study Abroad Scholarship Opportunities

Global Education, UMass Amherst, & Five College Scholarships

Global Education Scholarships

Deadline	Scholarship
March 15 for summer programs April 1 for fall and academic year programs October 29 for winter and spring programs	Global Education Scholarship Awards start at $500 per semester For students with high financial need Available for summer, winter session, fall, spring, and academic year programs Apply Global Education Merit Scholarship Awards are $1,000 per semester Minimum 3.8 GPA Available for fall, spring, and academic year programs Apply

Deadline

Scholarship

March 15 for summer programs
April 1 for fall and academic year programs
October 29 for winter and spring programs

Global Education Scholarship

Awards start at $500 per semester
For students with high financial need
Available for summer, winter session, fall, spring, and academic year programs

Apply

Global Education Merit Scholarship

Awards are $1,000 per semester Minimum 3.8 GPA
Available for fall, spring, and academic year programs

Apply

Sara's Wish Foundation Scholarship

Deadline	Criteria
April 1 for fall and academic year programs	Special consideration for applicants studying education, public health, health care, public service, service learning, environmental sustainability or similar humanitarian/ civic engagement field One $1000 award Available for fall and academic year programs Apply

Deadline

Criteria

April 1 for fall and academic year programs

Special consideration for applicants studying education, public health, health care, public service, service learning, environmental sustainability or similar humanitarian/ civic engagement field
One $1000 award
Available for fall and academic year programs

Apply

API Full-Ride Scholarship for UMass Amherst Students

Deadline	Criteria
March 15 for summer, fall, and academic year programs October 1 for winter and spring programs	Open to any student who participates in a UMass-approved API program and meets the eligibility requirements. The scholarship covers the full program cost of your API study abroad program plus $1500 to be used towards your flight. Two scholarships are available each application cycle. Available for fall, academic year, spring, and summer programs (Not open to students participating in either a short-or long-term UMass Faculty-Led Program). Apply

Deadline

Criteria

March 15 for summer, fall, and academic year programs

October 1 for winter and spring programs

Open to any student who participates in a UMass-approved API program and meets the eligibility requirements.
The scholarship covers the full program cost of your API study abroad program plus $1500 to be used towards your flight.
Two scholarships are available each application cycle.
Available for fall, academic year, spring, and summer programs (Not open to students participating in either a short-or long-term UMass Faculty-Led Program).

Apply

Students not selected to receive an API Full-Ride Scholarship award will automatically be considered for an Global Education Scholarship (see above). Please do not submit a separate Global Education Scholarship application.

UMass & Five College Scholarships

Partner Program Scholarships

Country and Region-Specific Scholarships

Region/Country	Scholarship
Asia	Freeman-ASIA Summer awards up to $3,000; Semester up to $5,000; Academic Year up to $7,000 Must be undergrad and U.S. citizen or permanent resident Must have demonstrated financial need, minimum 2.8 GPA, and applying to an approved program in East or Southeast Asia There is only one application cycle per year, so for spring study abroad, students must apply in the spring of the prior year.
Ireland	Trinity College Dublin (TCD) Study Abroad Scholarships Must be an undergraduate who demonstrates academic excellence in area of study and be accepted to TCD for semester or academic year (non-exchange) Minimum 3.3 GPA Must enroll in at least 25 ETCS at Trinity Scholarship award = €1,000
Japan	Bridging Scholarships A stipend of $2,500 for semester-long programs or $4,500 for academic year programs For undergrad U.S. citizens participating in an approved study abroad program in Japan There is only one application cycle per year The Toshizo Watanabe Study Abroad Scholarship Program May support up to the full cost of attendance to the study abroad program of the applicant’s choice, award is determined by financial need and program costs. Must be U.S. citizen or permanent resident, demonstrate financial need for international study, currently in good academic standing, and will be enrolled in a credit-bearing course of study at a college, university or approved academic center in Japan in the upcoming academic year. Preference for applicants who have been raised by a single parent or who have lost both parents, applicants without significant international travel or study experience, and first-generation students .
Sweden	Swedish Women’s Education Association Boston Open to female students studying in Sweden for a semester or academic year who attend a New England college or university Award is $12,000 There is only one application cycle per year

National Scholarships

Scholarship	Eligibility
Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship	Awards are up to $5,000 depending on financial need and your length of study. Must study abroad on UMass approved program and be a U.S. citizen receiving a Pell Grant either at time of application and/or during study abroad term. First generation students, students with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply.
Benjamin A. Gilman-McCain Scholarship	Awards are $5,000. Citizen or National of US enrolled as undergrad at accredited college/university. Dependent child or spouse of active duty military member. Recipient of ANY type of federal Title IV financial aid (Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, Federal Perkins Loan, Federal Subsidized or Unsubsidized Direct Loan). Applying for UMass approved, credit bearing study abroad program in an approved country/area.
Boren Scholarships for Study Abroad	US citizen enrolled as undergrad at UMass Amherst. For one semester or full year in limited geographic areas and languages. Awards are up to $25,000 for a full academic year or $12,500 per semester. STEM majors are eligible for $8,000 awards for 8–11 week summer programs.
Fund for Education Abroad	Awards up to $10,000 for academic year programs and $5,000 for semester programs. Summer awards vary based on program duration. Students must be undergraduate U.S. citizens, DACA recipients, or permanent residents who will study abroad on a UMass approved program of at least 4 weeks duration. Preference to students of color, first-generation college students, and students with high financial need.
The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi	Awards one hundred twenty-five $1,000 grants each year for students to study abroad. Must be a UMass Amherst student with a minimum 3.75 GPA and have applied to an approved study abroad program before their deadline.
MaCIE Study Abroad Scholarship	Awards up to $500 Must have a 2.75 GPA or equivalent of good academic standing and be attending MaCIE member university or college as an undergraduate student Must have home university approval for your study abroad program participation Must not have previously studied abroad for any length of time after high school graduation Must have demonstrated financial need Must agree to submit a video filmed during students abroad experience to MaCIE

Scholarship Advising

There are many campus resources available to help you with applying to scholarships.

Office of National Scholarship Advisement Office of National Scholarship Advisement Education Abroad Advisors Education Abroad Advisors UMass Writing Center UMass Writing Center

Scholarships

Fall 2026 Study Abroad Scholarship Advising Series

Scholarships Overview

Scholarship Application Labs

Study Abroad Scholarship Opportunities

Global Education Scholarships

Sara's Wish Foundation Scholarship

API Full-Ride Scholarship for UMass Amherst Students

UMass & Five College Scholarships

Asia

Ireland

Japan

Sweden

Scholarship Advising