Funding is every student's number one concern when considering studying abroad. Most UNM students utilize a combination of financial aid, scholarships, and their own money to study abroad. In almost all cases, you can use your financial aid (Pell Grant, New Mexico Lottery Success Scholarship, loans, etc.) to study abroad!!
Study abroad is considered a High Impact Practice that has numerous benefits in student development, so there are many organizations out there willing to help fund your time abroad - including UNM. Start your research into scholarship opportunities early - you can begin with the tabs, below!
Remember, not all programs carry the same costs, so if finances are of particular concern to you, speak with your study abroad advisor at GEO to discuss some options that may be less costly. Some opportunities are even less expensive than being at UNM for the semester!!
Don't forget to check out our Funding Your Study Abroad Powerpoint!
Regents' International Study Grant for Undergraduate Students
IIE/GEO Passport Grant (Need a passport? Apply for this!)
Passport to Success Scholarship for Graduate Students
International Study Institute Scholarships
UNM Benjamin Sacks Endowment Fund
Joseph C. Gallagher Scholarship for Study in Ireland and Europe
Spanish and Portuguese Department Scholarships
Graduate Resource Center Funding
Current Undergraduate Scholarships Offered by the College of Arts and Sciences
Important Information: Applicant must receive a federal Pell Grant either the semester of application or the semester of study abroad. The scholarship will fund up to $5,000 for a program, with an additional $3,000 possible for students studying a critical language. May not be applied to study in areas under a State Department Travel Warning.
Boren Scholarship and Fellowship
Funds up to $20,000 for undergraduate applicants ($30,000 for graduate students) wishing to study a critical language (Chinese, Arabic, Russian, etc.). May not be applied to study in Western Europe, Canada, Australia or New Zealand. Primarily funds full-year programs, but a number of shorter-term options exist. UNM contact: Todd Karr, Director of Education Abroad (tmkarr@unm.edu).
FEA makes life-changing, international experiences accessible to all by supporting minority and first-generation college students before, during, and after they participate in education abroad programs. Important Information: Funds up to $10,000 for those studying abroad for at least four weeks.
Diverse International Women of Color Study Abroad Sholarship (DIWC)
Diverse International Women of Color’s mission is to inspire, encourage and promote opportunities for women of color to travel abroad, experience different cultures and broaden their horizons beyond the United States.
The Voyager Scholarship was created by the Obamas and Brian Chesky, Airbnb Co-founder and CEO, to help shape the next generation of public service leaders. This scholarship is for college juniors working towards a careet in the public service sector who will be studying abroad their junior year. Its goal is to provive "financial aid to alleviate the burden of college debt, meaningful travel experiences to expand their horizons, and a network of mentors and leaders to support them". - The Voyager Scholarship on Obama.org
Generation Study Abroad Scholarship (ITESO)
The Generation Study Abroad scholarship is awarded based on academic and social merit. Students must be nominated by their home study abroad office to ITESO. There is no language requirement.
Important Information: Fully-funded eight-week summer programs for those wishing to learn a critical language. UNM contact: Todd Karr, Director of Education Abroad (tmkarr@unm.edu).
Funds up to $10,000 for study abroad. Applicants must have a GPA of at least 3.75.
A scholarship search engine for ROTC students.
Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship
For undergraduate study leading to careers in STEM areas. Must 1) be a sophomore or junior at the time of application (majoring in STEM fields), 2) be a US citizen or a permanent resident, 3) have a highly competitive GPA, 4) have research experience in the fields, and 5) plan to pursue a Ph.D. in STEM. UNM contact is Kiyoko Simmons (ksimmons@unm.edu).
Morris & Stewart Udall Scholarship
For undergraduates who intend to pursue careers related to (1) the environment, (2) tribal public policy, or (3) Native health care. Must be a Native American to apply for (2) and (3). Must 1) be a sophomore or junior at the time of application, 2) have a college GPA of at least "B"/3.0, and 3) be a US citizen or permanent resident. UNM contact is Kiyoko Simmons (ksimmons@unm.edu).
Student must be an undergraduate child dependent of an active duty service member who will study or intern abroad on a credit-bearing program.
Scholarships available for US undergraduate students studying abroad in Canada.
Study Abroad Scholarships for American Students of Minority and Heritage Communities
These scholarships are awarded to eligible undergraduate and graduate students who have been accepted to a language program or university study abroad program in Turkey, the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC), or Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH).
German Academic Exchange Services (DAAD)
This grant is a small view of the aid the German government will distribute, please visit their website for more information.
This grant is a small view of the aid the Austria government will distribute, please visit their website for more information.
Funds $4,000 for study in Japan.
Monbukagakusho (MEXT) Scholarship
Funding for Study in Japan.
Funds 500 pounds for exchange students going to the United Kingdom.
Freeman Awards for Study in Asia (Freeman-Asia)
As its name implies, this need-based scholarship will fund study-abroad experiences in Asia, specifically East or Southeast Asia. The Freeman Institute provides undergraduate students with a 2.8 GPA or higher up to $7,000 to study abroad. Applicants must plan to study abroad for a minimum of eight weeks. The “need-based” requirement for the scholarship does not have to be based on financial aid forms like the FAFSA, and funds from this program can go toward any costs associated with the trip, not just tuition
George J. Mitchell Scholarship
For one year of study at institutions in Ireland or Northern Ireland. Must 1) be a US citizen, 2) have a record of intellectual distinction, leadership activity and extra-curricular activity, and 3) demonstrate potential for future leadership and contribution to society. UNM contact is Kiyoko Simmons (ksimmons@unm.edu).
Fulbright-Hays Group Projects Abroad
Funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Fulbright-Hays fellowships are available to undergraduate juniors and seniors, graduate students, and US K-12 teachers pursuing advanced overseas Russian or Persian language study on American Councils' Advanced Russian Language & Area Studies Program in Moscow or Eurasian Regional Language Program in Dushanbe. Granted on the basis of financial need and academic merit, awards are made in the amount of $7,000 for semester programs.
Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships Program
This program provides grants to colleges and universities to fund undergraduate students and graduate students undergoing training in modern foreign languages and related area or international studies.
If you study abroad through a Direct Enrollment program, many of the provider organizations offer special scholarships for qualified students enrolled in their programs. The following organizations offer scholarships directly for UNM students. Some programs from each of the providers, below, are featured on our website, but please be aware that many other programs are offerd by these organizations - and the following scholarships will likely apply. If you do not see a program of interest on our site, please research each provider's website and meet with a UNM Study Abroad advisor for more information on applying through UNM.
Note: These scholarships are exclusively for students attending a program organized by the respective study abroad organization. They cannot be applied to an exchange program or any other type of study abroad experience.
For doctoral students 4-9 months fully funded. STEM and Humanities.
Fulbright-Hays--Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad
This program provides grants to colleges and universities to fund individual doctoral students who conduct research in other countries, in modern foreign languages and area studies for periods of six to 12 months.
For students who plan to pursue a career in public service. Awards up to $30,000 for graduate study. Must 1) be an undergraduate junior or a senior in the 3rd year, 2) be a US citizen, 3) have a highly competitive GPA, 4) plan to work in public service (government, education, a nonprofit org., etc.), and 5) plan to pursue a graduate degree in law, public administration, public health, social work, education, public policy, international affairs, etc. UNM contact is Kiyoko Simmons (ksimmons@unm.edu).
Yenching Academy of Peking University
For one-year Master's degree in Chinese Studies at Peking University. Must 1) have a conferred bachelor's degree before the start of the grant, and 2) have an outstanding academic record and leadership potential. Preference is given to candidates age 25 or younger. UNM contact is Kiyoko Simmons (ksimmons@unm.edu).
For one year of study in Public Policy, Economics & Business, and International Studies at Tsinghua University, Beijing, China. Must 1) have a conferred bachelor's degree before the start of the grant. Must be at least 18 but not yet 29 years old as of June 30 of the program year. UNM contact is Kiyoko Simmons (ksimmons@unm.edu).
For graduating seniors or recent graduates who are pursuing a one-year Master's degree in a STEM field at the University of Cambridge. Must 1) be a US citizen, 2) be a senior enrolled in UNM or one of the participating institutions of the Churchill Scholarship or recent graduate within the past 12 months, and 3) have outstanding academic achievement, proven talent in STEM research, and outstanding personal qualities. UNM contact is Kiyoko Simmons (ksimmons@unm.edu).
An international scholarship program to enable outstanding graduate students from outside the United Kingdom to study at the University of Cambridge. Must 1) be citizens of any country outside the United Kingdom, and 2) apply to pursue one of the full-time residential courses of study. UNM contact is Kiyoko Simmons (ksimmons@unm.edu).
For full-time graduate study in any UK graduate program for two years. Must 1) be a US citizen, 2) have a minimum GPA of 3.7, 3) have earned first undergraduate degree within the last 2.5 years, and 4) present an academic plan and demonstrate potential to make a significant contribution to society. UNM contact is Kiyoko Simmons (ksimmons@unm.edu).
For study towards a master's degree at Oxford for two years. Must 1) be between 18 and 23 years of age on 10/1 of your application year, 2) be a US citizen or permanent resident, 3) have a competitive GPA, and 4) have demonstrated record of academic achievement, leadership, and concern for others. UNM contact is Kiyoko Simmons (ksimmons@unm.edu).
Philipp Schwartz Initiative for Threatened Foreign Researchers
Important Information: This scholarship provides German universities and research institutions with means to host threatened foreign researchers for 24 months.
Important Information: Funds a wide variety of potential programs. Applicants must have completed their undergraduate degree at the time of application. UNM contact is Kiyoko Simmons (ksimmons@unm.edu).
One of the most important steps in preparing to study abroad is creating an accurate budget and gathering funds based on the information you collect.
Depending on the program you choose, budgeting information may be found on your program site, on the GEO study abroad page, or through other online resources. Numbeo.com provides helpful cost of living information for many world cities.
Students should account for the following budget categories:
To calculated your estimated expenses, as well as your available resources, we suggest using this prepared Study Abroad Budget template. Check in with your study abroad advisor if you have questions!
Once you have reviewed your budget, you might find you still need additional funds to make your study abroad dream a reality. In addition to the scholarships listed on the other tabs on this page, we invite you to think creatively about other funding opportunities! We've collected examples from previous students in our Student Funding Resources document.
Additional resources:
NY Times - How to Travel Cheaply
In almost all cases, you can use your financial aid to study abroad! This includes the Lottery Scholarship, Opportunity Scholarship, Federal Pell Grants, and many other scholarships you may receive at UNM.
For students studying abroad for a Fall and/or Spring semester:
If you choose an Exchange program, you will pay UNM tuition as normal. This means that your financial aid and scholarships will automatically apply to your tuition at UNM. There will be NO CHANGE in your tuition fee, if you normally pay for 15 credits. You will register for the study abroad placeholder class ISEP 888 to notify financial aid and the bursar that you are studying abroad on exchange.
If you choose a Direct Enroll/Non-UNM program, you will be able to have your financial aid and scholarships disbursed to you. If you have direct deposit set up with the Bursar’s office, the money will come directly to your checking account. You can use this money to pay your tuition and/or travel costs for your program! Pell grants, Lottery Scholarships, Presidential and Woodward scholarships, and most student loans CAN be used for direct enroll study abroad, however, the Amigo Scholarship cannot be used. You will register for the study abroad placeholder class ISEP 999 to notify financial aid and the bursar that you are studying abroad on a direct enroll program.
For students studying abroad on a summer program: Pell grant recipients can receive funding for summer study abroad!
Tuition scholarships may not be available for use in summer, if they do not typically include summer enrollment.
You will register for the study abroad placeholder class ISEP 999, to notify financial aid and the bursar that you are studying abroad
It is your responsibility to know the requirements for you scholarships (GPA, credit hours, etc.) and maintain these while you are abroad. International schools may have different grading scales, modes of instruction, and expectations for students. Your study abroad advisor can help you choose the best program and courses to maintain your scholarships - please ask!
In the case that you do not achieve the appropriate grades or credits to maintain your scholarships, you can work with Scholarships office to Petition for Scholarship Reinstatement: https://scholarship.unm.edu/Resources/petition-process.html. Please contact the Scholarships office for questions, and let your GEO advisor know if you have issues.