Other Study Abroad Scholarships

Explore the World with Global Scholarships!

Ready to take your college experience beyond the classroom—and beyond borders?

At the UMF, our Global Scholarships help you turn your dream of studying abroad into a reality. Whether you’re heading to Europe, Asia, or somewhere in between, UMF makes it easier to afford unforgettable international experiences that expand your perspective and boost your resume. Adventure starts here!

George J Mitchell Peace Scholarship to Ireland

The Senator George J. Mitchell Peace Scholarship offers UMF students a fully funded opportunity to study abroad at University College Cork in Ireland. Covering tuition, housing, meals, and travel, the scholarship honors Senator Mitchell’s role in the Northern Ireland Peace Accord and supports students in gaining global experience while celebrating peace and international cooperation.

The Gwilym Roberts Travel Scholarship – Turn Curiosity into Discovery

The Gwilym Roberts Travel Scholarship empowers UMF students to explore the world beyond the classroom through independent, self-designed travel. Created in honor of beloved professor Gwilym Roberts, this scholarship supports meaningful, immersive experiences that deepen cultural understanding and personal growth. Whether you’re inspired to study art in Italy, explore biodiversity in Costa Rica, or trace historical roots across continents, this unique award helps turn your passion for learning into a journey of a lifetime.

The Mark Bartholomew Scholarship – Helping You Take Your Education Around the World

The Mark Bartholomew Scholarship supports UMF students in travel courses or study abroad programs by helping cover costs like airfare, lodging, and program fees. Open to all majors, it honors Dr. Bartholomew’s legacy by making global learning more accessible and encouraging students to expand their horizons through real-world experiences.

Students relaxing near a stream in Iceland.
Students relaxing near a stream in Iceland.

From Farmington to the World: The International Mitchell Scholarship

The University of Maine at Farmington and the Senator George J. Mitchell Scholarship Research Institute share a goal to increase the number of Mitchell Scholars participating in an international experience during their college career.

To increase the number of Mitchell Scholars pursuing an international experience and to provide an additional incentive to persist in college, UMF has developed the UMF International Mitchell Scholarship. Available one time to UMF’s Mitchell Scholars in their junior or senior year, the $2,500 scholarship may be applied to any UMF study abroad experience, including a semester, short-term travel course, internship, or research abroad. Although no application is required for the scholarship, students must notify the Financial Aid Office in writing that they wish to use their $2,500 Mitchell scholarship for participation in an eligible program.

Other Study Abroad Scholarships

In addition to UMF’s named scholarships, there are several other funding opportunities available for students who want to study abroad.

These include university-wide travel grants, national scholarships like the Gilman and Boren Awards, and partner program discounts that help make global experiences more affordable. Whether you’re planning a short-term travel course or a full semester abroad, there are resources to help you get there.

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program

Awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding to participate in study and intern abroad programs worldwide, for up to $5,000, with the possibility of an additional $3,000 for those studying a critical language.

Bridging Scholarships for Study Abroad in Japan

Awards of $2500/semester-$4000/year for American undergraduate students participating in study-abroad programs in Japan. Funding from private foundations and major U.S. corporations, through donations to the nonprofit US-Japan Bridging Foundation, makes it possible to award about 100 scholarships each year to assist students with the travel and living expenses they will incur while studying abroad in Japan for a semester or an academic year. Applications are accepted twice a year for Bridging Scholarships. Undergraduate students majoring in any field of study are eligible to apply for these scholarships. Japanese language study is not a prerequisite.

Boren Scholarships

Provide up to $8,000 for the summer, $10,000 for the semester, and $20,000 for the academic year to US undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.

UMF campus application deadline is mid-December. For more information contact UMF Boren Scholarship campus representative Linda Beck at linda.beck@maine.edu / 778-7341 / 106 Fusion Space, Campus.

CLS The Critical Language Scholarship Program

Fully funded summer overseas language and cultural immersion program for American undergraduate and graduate students. With the goal of broadening the base of Americans studying and mastering critical languages and building relationships between the people of the United States and other countries, CLS provides opportunities to a diverse range of students from across the United States at every level of language learning.

Freeman-ASIA Awards

This program is designed to support U.S.-based undergraduates with demonstrated financial need who are planning to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia. Provides need-based funding to assist the recipient with the cost of the study abroad program and related expenses, including airfare, basic living costs, local transportation, books, etc. Summer Award up to $3,000; Semester Award up to $5,000; Academic/Calendar Year Award up to $7,000.

Fund for Education Abroad Awards

The mission of the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) is to provide scholarships and ongoing support to students who are underrepresented among the U.S. study abroad population. FEA awards up to $10,000 for an academic year abroad, $5,000 for a fall or spring semester abroad, and summer scholarships are pro-rated based on length of program. While all students are encouraged to apply for an FEA scholarship, preference is given to students of color, first-generation college students, community college students, and students with high financial need. Approximately 30 varying scholarship awards for up to $10,000/acaedemic year; $5,000/semester. Application Deadlines: January for fall or academic year programs; September for spring programs.

Gilman-McCain Scholarship for the Children of Military Families

The Gilman-McCain Scholarship provides awards of $5,000 for child dependents of active duty service members to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs. Developed under the framework of the State Department’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, the John McCain International Scholarship for the Children of Military Families (Gilman-McCain Scholarship) is open to eligible students enrolled at accredited U.S. colleges and universities who receive any type of Title IV federal financial aid.

UMF Deadline for the Online Benjamin A. Gilman and Gilman-McCain Scholarship Applications:  Spring programs: mid-September; Fall programs: mid-February.

Killam Fellowships Program

Provides an opportunity for exceptional undergraduate students from universities in Canada and the United States to spend either one semester or a full academic year as an exchange student in the other country. Students may participate in the program either as a direct exchange student (registering at their home university, paying their home fees, and attending the host university as an exchange visitor) or as a self-placed visiting student (applying for and registering at the host university, and paying host tuition fees).

The Scholarship offers a cash award of $10,000 US ($5,000 US per semester), along with an allowance of $500 to offset health insurance costs. The Foundation hosts all new Killam Fellows at an Orientation program in Ottawa each fall and again at a seminar in Washington D.C. each spring. In addition, all Fellows are eligible to apply for a mobility grant in an amount not to exceed $800. The idea of the mobility initiative is to allow students to undertake an educational field trip, providing the Fellows with the opportunity to gain a broader understanding of the culture of the host country.

UMF students can apply through the Open Competition, which typically opens in mid-September, with a deadline of late January/early February for programs in the following academic year.

Toshizo Watanabe Study Abroad Endowed Fund

The Toshizo Watanabe Endowed Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to Japanese and American undergraduate and graduate students pursuing study abroad program or international study in either the United States or Japan. A generous endowment gift of $10 million from Mr. Toshizo (Tom) Watanabe to the U.S.-Japan Council makes it possible to award scholarships to students for whom international study would not be possible without financial support.

Beginning in 2016, this scholarship program has allowed Japanese students to study in the United States, and since 2019, has allowed American students to study in Japan. The scholarship will support the cost of attendance to the institution or study abroad program of the applicant’s choice and grants awards to recipients in amounts determined by financial need and other qualifications.

Applications are accepted annually for four to six weeks during the open period beginning in January or February. The exact dates are publicized on their website.

USA Study Abroad Scholarships

Links to most of the above scholarship programs, as well as a number of other national scholarships can be found at this site.

Explore the World with UMF Study Abroad Scholarships

We believe that studying abroad should be possible for every student—and we’ve got the scholarships to prove it. From prestigious awards like the Senator George J. Mitchell Peace Scholarship to flexible funding like the Gwilym Roberts Travel Scholarship and the Mark Martholomew Scholarship, there are multiple ways to support your global journey. Whether you’re planning a semester at an international university or joining a short-term travel course, these scholarships help make it affordable. Don’t miss out—check out all the study abroad scholarships available and start planning your adventure today!

Connect with Us!

We know you have a lot of questions. And we’re here to help.

Office of Experiential & Global Education
University of Maine at Farmington
Rm 207, Mantor Library
116 South Street
Farmington, Maine 04938
Phone: 207-778-7166
jeffrey.willis@maine.edu