For many students, cost is an important factor to consider for study abroad. However, cost does not have to be a barrier! Various scholarships are available for study abroad, and students can apply for more than one scholarship. BMCC students have been successful in earning study abroad scholarships every year – read about our Summer 2017 and Summer 2019 recipients.
Learn more about costs and financial aid associated with studying abroad.
BMCC Association Scholarship
No application necessary! The BMCC Association Scholarship covers 60% of the Study Abroad Program Fee for BMCC students participating in BMCC programs. This fee includes the flight, housing, meals, insurance and excursions. The scholarship is already included in current program fees. BMCC students who have completed at least 12 credits at BMCC are eligible to receive the award. They may only receive the award once. BMCC students who have not completed 12 credits at BMCC (but qualify for study abroad with transfer credits) must pay the non-BMCC student program fee.
Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship
*Can be used for all BMCC Study Abroad Programs*
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program offers grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies or credit-bearing, career-oriented internships abroad.
Campus Advisors:
- Study Abroad Advisor: Sharon Reid, sreid@bmcc.cuny.edu
- Financial Aid Advisor: Yuliya Meltreger ymeltreger@bmcc.cuny.edu
Amount: Up to $5,000
Eligibility: Open to all U.S. citizen undergraduates in good academic standing. Must be a recipient of a Federal Pell Grant. The applicant is applying to or has been accepted to a credit-bearing study abroad or internship program. If you are a child dependent of an active duty service member, you may apply for the Gilman-McCain Scholarship.
Application Deadlines:
- early October for Spring and Summer
- early March for Summer and Fall
See the deadlines and application instructions.
Helpful resources:
- Gilman Application Guide for BMCC Students (2023)
- Gilman Scholarship Tips for Applicants
- Ask Me Anything! Questions and Answers with former Gilman recipients
Fund for Education Abroad
*Can be used for all BMCC Study Abroad Programs*
The Fund for Education Abroad is committed to increasing opportunities for U.S. based students to participate in rigorous education abroad programs by reducing financial restrictions. Scholarship applicants will automatically be considered for all available scholarships based on answers provided in their application. Preference is given to first-generation college students, underrepresented students and community college students.
Amounts:
Minimum $1,250 for summer
Up to $5,000 for semester
Up to $10,000 for academic year
Eligibility: Open to all U.S. citizens and permanent residents currently enrolled in an undergraduate institution; study abroad program must be credit-bearing
Application Deadlines:
September for Spring
January for Summer and Fall
See the deadlines and application instructions.
Helpful resources:
Fund for Education Abroad Application Guide for BMCC Students (2023)
CIEE Scholarships
*Can only be used for CIEE study abroad programs*
The Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) offers various need-based and merit-based scholarships for CIEE study abroad programs. They aim to make study abroad more accessible to students who face financial challenges. See their general scholarship video to get started. Summer study abroad students can receive a maximum of $2,000 in CIEE funding.
Need-Based Scholarships: an option to apply for these will appear when you apply for one of the CIEE study abroad programs. All awards are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Summer applications are typically due in April. See more details here.
- GAIN Travel Grant: Students who receive the Federal Pell Grant can receive a GAIN Travel Grant for their airfare to a CIEE study abroad program (up to $500 for summer programs). Students must have a FAFSA Student Aid Report.
- Gilman Go Global: Students who apply to the Gilman Scholarship are eligible to receive the Gilman Go Global Grant if they do not receive Gilman (up to $1,000 for summer programs). Students must upload proof of their Gilman application submission.
- Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Grant: BMCC students qualify for CIEE’s Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Grant, which offers a discount for their study abroad programs (up to $500 for summer).
Merit-Based Scholarships: an option to apply for these will appear when you apply for one of the CIEE study abroad programs. An essay of 300 words max. will be required. Summer applications are typically due in April. See more details here.
Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship
This is both a scholarship AND study abroad program funded by CIEE. This fellowship covers 100% of tuition, program fees and travel costs for 10 students across the United States to take an intensive 4-week, 3-credit summer on leadership and intercultural skills. Awards are based on a combination of financial need, academic achievement, and nominations.
All qualified applicants who do not receive a Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship are guaranteed a $1,500 grant toward a summer CIEE programs.
Eligibility: Open to current undergraduate freshman or sophomores attending a Minority Serving Institution. Must be Pell Grant-eligible and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Must reside in the U.S. with student status or be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Application Deadline: Early February (students must request nominations and have them submitted by the application deadline)
See the deadlines and application instructions.
Helpful resources:
- Frederick Douglass Fellowship Application Guide for BMCC Students (2023)
- Making the personal video (note the new video requirement is 3-4 min)
- Getting the letters of recommendation
- Submitting the application
Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program
The Critical Language Scholarship Program is a summer study abroad opportunity for U.S. college and university students to learn languages essential to U.S. engagement with the world. Students of diverse disciplines and majors are encouraged to apply.
Campus Advisor: Chun-Yi Peng, cpeng@bmcc.cuny.edu
Amount: Covers 100% of program fees and travel costs
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens currently enrolled in a U.S. degree-granting program. Must have completed at least one year of full-time undergraduate study before the start of the program. Must be at least 18 years-old by May before the program. Students must have started, or plan to start, studying one of the following languages: Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bangla, Chinese, Hindi, Indonesian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Punjabi, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, Urdu.
Application Deadline: early November
Watch these short videos to learn more:
See the deadlines and application instructions.
Helpful videos: Click here to view various recorded information sessions – choose the language you want to study.
David L. Boren Scholarship and Fellowship Awards
As an initiative of the National Security Education Program, Boren Scholarships provide funding to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests, and underrepresented in study abroad – see a list of preferred countries. In exchange for funding, Boren Scholars commit to working in the federal government, such as the national security area, for at least one year after graduation.
Amounts:
Up to $8,000 for summer (STEM students only; minimum 8 weeks abroad)
Up to $10,000 for semester
Up to $20,000 for 6 – 12 months
Eligibility: Open to all U.S. citizen undergraduates; Study abroad program cannot be in Western Europe, Canada, Australia or New Zealand.
Application Deadline: early February for all semesters
See the deadlines and application instructions.
Freeman Awards for Study in Asia
Freeman Awards for Study in Asia provide need-based scholarships for U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand or Vietnam. Award recipients are required to share their experiences with the home campuses or communities to encourage study abroad by others and fulfill the program’s goal of increasing understanding of Asia in the United States.
Amounts:
Up to $3,000 for summer
Up to $5,000 for semester
Up to $7,000 for academic year
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents studying at a two-year or four-year college or university; must have a FAFSA on file for the academic year they intend to study abroad.; must have minimum 2.8 GPA and pursuing first associate’s or bachelor’s degree; must have applied or been accepted to study abroad program that lasts at least 8 weeks in the summer and 12 weeks in the fall/spring; must have little or no previous experience in country of study abroad program.
Application opens early January for next academic year (Summer, Fall, Spring).
See the deadlines and application instructions.
Tortuga Backpacks Study Abroad Scholarship
Tortuga Backpacks believes students deserve to experience the world beyond their college campuses, but realize not everyone can afford to travel. Their scholarship is awarded biannually to passionate students who want to explore the world. Scholarships are available for fall and spring programs.
Amounts: $1,000 (plus a travel backpack!)
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents or those currently studying in the U.S. on a student visa; full-time undergraduate student at a two-year or four-year college or university; have applied or been accepted to a credit-bearing study abroad program that takes place in the fall or spring semester (summer/winter scholarships not currently available)
Application Deadlines:
- November for spring
- April for fall
