Studying abroad has many benefits — better career prospects, building an international network, and a lifetime’s worth of memories.
For Americans, it’s also a way to avoid heavy debts. According to the Federal Reserve, the student loan debt balance in the US has increased by 66% over the past decade, and now in 2024, it totals more than US$1.74 trillion.
In the 2021-2022 academic year alone, 53% of bachelor’s degree students in the US graduated from local universities with student loans that averaged US$29,400, according to the College Board. So perhaps the solution is to go abroad.
Some students choose to go abroad for a semester or two, while some complete their entire degrees outside the US. Most times, these options end up being cheaper than a full stint in a public or private university in the US — you could potentially graduate debt-free.
Sound exciting? If you’re an American looking to study abroad, check out these five international scholarships for US students:
Who wouldn’t enjoy studying abroad for practically free?
International scholarships for US students in 2024
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
Offered by the US Department of State, the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a great scholarship that also works as a grant programme. It is exclusively offered to US undergraduate students who have limited financial means to study or intern abroad. About 3,000 scholarships are offered to US students every year.
Scholarships range from US$100 to US$5,000, with opportunities to receive a Critical Need Language Award of up to an additional US$3,000. The latter may require its eligible recipients to complete an ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI), which demonstrates language proficiency for educational, professional, or other purposes, at no additional cost.
The Gilman Scholarship can only be received once. If a student previously went abroad with the help of the grant, they will no longer be eligible for it.
Other conditions are as follows: you have to be a US citizen, an undergraduate student in good standing, and are currently receiving/will receive the Federal Pell Grant funding.
Check out the rest of the requirements here.
The Council of International Exchange of Scholars (CEIS) is offering over 800 Fulbright US Scholar Programmes for US citizens. Source: Brendan Smialowski /Pool
The Fulbright US Student Programme
The Fulbright US Student Programme is one of the most popular international scholarships for US students. It’s offered by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), which works closely with binational commissions and foundations in 49 countries, US embassies in more than 100 other countries, and cooperating agencies in the US.
The programme’s aim is straightforward: scholars will be able to travel abroad to undertake professional projects and deepen their knowledge, while fostering mutual understanding between the US and other countries. Those eligible for the grant can visit another country to conduct research, teach English, or participate in community service.
There are four main scholarships students can choose from, depending on their interests and location of choice: Fulbright Scholar Awards, Fulbright Distinguished Scholar Awards, Fulbright Postdoctoral Awards and Fulbright International Education Administrator Awards.
Applicants must be US citizens and possess a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent in order to apply. Do note that if you’re a graduate or doctoral student looking for funding to complete your degree, this scholarship is not for you.
Full eligibility requirements can be found here.
The 2025 Marshall Scholarship application is here!
Learn more about how and when to apply, plus check out our eligibility criteria and FAQs about submitting a great application: https://t.co/ffpoZMrltf#MarshallScholarship #Education #StudyInUK pic.twitter.com/pJYXlwrXGR— Marshall Scholars (@MarshallScholar) June 5, 2024
Marshall Scholarship
The Marshall Scholarship finances young, intellectually distinguished US students to go abroad and study in the UK. Up to 50 scholarships are awarded annually; the scholarship is tenable for two academic years (22 months) but can be extended for up to three years by the Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission.
Similar to the Fulbright programme, the scholarship aims to strengthen ties between the UK and the US by financing high-achieving Americans to study for a degree in the UK. Scholars will gain an understanding and appreciation of contemporary Britain, thereby strengthening the knowledge base for future scholars.
The scholarship covers university fees, cost of living expenses, an annual book grant, a thesis grant, research and daily travel grants, fares to and from the US, and a contribution towards supporting a dependent spouse (where applicable).
Do note that not all degree programmes are applicable for this award. Read here to learn more.
Wondering if you’re eligible for the award? Check here.
Rhodes Scholarship
Compared to the international scholarships for US students mentioned above, the Rhodes Scholarship is the most celebrated of them all. It is a fully funded, full-time, postgraduate award that enables talented Americans to study at the University of Oxford. Scholars will go abroad to the UK for two or more years, and are eligible to study most full-time postgraduate courses offered by the university.
For the 2023/2024 academic year, the scholarship grants a stipend of US$25,000 (approximately 19,092 pounds) per annum to cover all living expenses, including accommodation. The award will also cover healthcare, student visas, and two economy-class flights — to and from the UK — for the beginning and end of studies in Oxford.
Every year, 32 Americans are selected as Rhodes Scholars through an intensive application and review process. Eligibility may depend on the country of origin, but selection criteria are mostly the same; as long as students have proved their academic excellence and are devoted to using their talents to their fullest potential, they may consider applying.
Find out more information here.
Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Programme
The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Programme is run by the US Department of State, funded by the US Government and supported in its implementation by the American Councils for International Education. It’s one of the best international scholarships for US students, designed to promote rapid language development and intercultural fluency in regions essential to the US’s national security and economic prosperity.
At its core, it’s an immersive summer opportunity for American college and university students to learn languages and cultures abroad.
Students will spend eight to 10 weeks overseas learning one of a dozen languages at an intensive study abroad institute. In the span of one summer, institutes typically cover the amount of material that would be covered in an academic year at a US college or university. Participants have approximately 15 hours of language class per week.
Languages offered include:
There is no definite stipend; those who receive the award will be covered for their travel, a mandatory pre-departure orientation, applicable visa fees, and additional fees for boarding and enhancement activities. Scholars will be required to live in CLS-provided housing for the duration of the programme, either with a host family or in an apartment or dorm with roommates.
Upon completion of the programme, students will receive non-competitive eligibility for US government employment for up to three years, academic credit issued via Bryn Mawr College, certified language gains using the widely recognised ACTFL OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview) assessment, and more.
Find out more about eligibility here.
Boren Awards
Similar to the CLS Programme, the Boren Awards offer two types of funding: the Boren Scholarships for US undergraduate students and the Boren Fellowships for US graduate students.
The award is funded by the National Security Education Programme (NSEP), an initiative of the US government’s Department of Defence, to support American students in studying languages and regions vital for US national security and competitiveness, with recipients committing to future federal service.
Recipients will study a wide range of critical languages, including Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili, Javanese, Turkish, Korean, Bengali, and Urdu.
The duration of study determines the maximum awards.
For the Boren Scholarships, US$25,000 will be awarded for 25 to 52 weeks; US$12,500 for 12 to 24 weeks; US$8,000 for eight to 11 weeks (STEM majors only).
The same applies to the Boren Fellowship; however, rather than US$8,000 for eight to 11 weeks, graduate students may opt for the summer domestic language student program for US$5,000.
Freeman-Asia Awards
For those looking to pursue a degree specifically in Asia, the Freeman-Asia Awards is the perfect scholarship for you.
The scholarship, funded by the Freeman Foundation, provides financial support to US undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia.
The goal of the scholarship is to increase the number of US citizens and permanent residents with firsthand exposure to Asia, as well as to gain a deeper understanding of its people and cultures.
Recipients will receive funding to cover the costs of the study abroad programme, airfare, basic living expenses, local transportation, books, and more.
Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship
Awarded by Japan’s Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship offers a full-ride for students from around the world to pursue a degree at their local universities.
The full-ride includes covering tuition fees, living expenses (monthly stipend), round-trip airfare, and often Japanese language training.
However, there are seven types of MEXT scholarship programmes:
- Research students
- Teacher training students
- Undergraduate students
- Japanese studies students
- College of Technology students
- Specialised college students
- Young Leaders Programme (YLP) students
Each comes with different requirements, which you can check here.
Disclaimer: This article was last updated on December 29, 2025.
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