Scholarships, grants & other funding awards

WorldStrides will award one scholarship per semester to a student participating on a WorldStrides program for the full list price of the program. There is no separate application for the GO Full-Ride Scholarship. All applicants who apply by the deadline above and meet the eligibility requirements for one of the other WorldStrides scholarships will be considered.

The GO (Global Opportunity) Full-Ride Scholarship is designed to give a standout student the opportunity to go abroad. The scholarship can be used for any WorldStrides program and covers tuition, program fees, and orientation (up to $15,000 value). 

We believe in expanding access and increasing opportunities for individuals from various backgrounds to become global learners by reducing financial barriers. This scholarship is intended for summer and semester students looking to create an impact on the world around them, bringing their own personal perspectives to an international experience.

These merit and financial need-based scholarships assist semester students from affiliated universities  with the expenses of studying abroad. Applicants for this scholarship must exhibit financial need via supporting documents including your home university financial aid award letter and Student Aid Report.

These merit and financial need-based summer term scholarships are dedicated to the memory of Michaela Farnum, a very involved Seattle University student who worked with various youth groups and campus organizations. Applicants for this scholarship must exhibit financial need via supporting documents including your home university financial aid award letter and Student Aid Report.

This scholarship, exclusively for participants enrolled in a WorldStrides Community Engagement program, is offered in memory of Kalyn Peterson who leaves behind a legacy of putting others’ needs ahead of her own.. Visit our Community Engagement page  for more details. 

WorldStrides is proud to partner with more than 475 affiliate universities and organizations around the world. Students who attend a WorldStrides-affiliated university may be eligible to receive additional funding for their WorldStrides program directly from WorldStrides or through their home university’s study abroad scholarship program. Reach out to your university’s study abroad office to learn more.

WorldStrides provides this generous supplemental award to VA Education Benefit recipients who are participating in a WorldStrides program. This award will apply to all active and veteran benefit recipients, regardless of whether the VA Education Benefit funding will transfer to their term abroad. After applying to a WorldStrides program, email your WorldStrides program manager to let them know you are eligible. Submission of your Certificate of Eligibility (COE) letter or other proof of VA documentation is required.

WorldStrides is always happy to welcome back alumni! Eligible students only need to inform WorldStrides of their previous enrollment, and the grant will be applied to your account. View our Go Abroad Again page for more details. 

Active Global Ambassadors who are planning to participate in a WorldStrides program again will receive $100 in addition to the corresponding Repeat Student Grant amount.

Did your sibling, parent, or child attend a WorldStrides program of any length? If so, you will qualify for the family grant toward your WorldStrides program. Eligible students only need to inform WorldStrides of their family member’s name and enrollment, then the grant will be applied toward your account.

The Freeman-ASIA Supplemental Scholarship is designed to support U.S. undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need who are planning to study overseas in Asia. Recipients of this distinguished scholarship who are participating in a WorldStrides semester program in Singapore, Japan, South Korea, or Thailand, or Vietnam are eligible for this $500 scholarship. After applying to a WorldStrides program in Asia, submit your award letter from the Freeman-ASIA Scholarship to your WorldStrides program coordinator to let them know you are eligible for this award.

FEA is a non-profit organization that provides scholarships to students facing barriers to studying abroad, particularly those from underrepresented groups. WorldStrides has partnered with FEA to offer more than $18,000 annually to students with financial need. Individual awards range from $5,000 for semester programs, and up to $3,500 for summer programs. Apply now.

England

• Kingston University: WorldStrides participants who have been accepted to the Kingston University. Submit a WorldStrides scholarship application to apply.

Ireland

• University College Dublin: Global Excellence Scholarships available to cover 50 - 100% of your program costs. You can learn more on UCD's scholarship page. 

Australia 

• Macquarie University: One AU $2,000 award available to students going to Macquarie University with WorldStrides in the fall semester. This scholarship is offered through WorldStrides and Macquarie University in memory of Gina Rosko. Submit a WorldStrides scholarship application to apply.
• University of Technology, Sydney: One merit-based Study Abroad Excellence Award for eligible incoming study abroad students each semester who enroll in a full-time load of 24 credit points at UTS. This scholarship is awarded based on academic excellence, and selection is made on a case-by-case basis, meaning there is no fixed GPA requirement. Eligible students are assessed holistically based on their academic performance. All eligible international students applying for a study abroad program at UTS are automatically considered for the scholarship. No separate application is required. The scholarship is valued at AU $1,000.
   

New Zealand 

• Massey University: One USD $2,500 award is available for the fall semester WorldStrides students. Submit a WorldStrides scholarship application to apply.
• University of Auckland: One US $5,000 scholarship is available each semester. You must be studying at the university of Auckland for the spring or fall semester. Submit a WorldStrides scholarship application to apply.
• University of Canterbury: Eight NZD $2,000 awards available for 2025. Recipients must have a GPA of at least a 3.0. Submit a WorldStrides scholarship application to apply.
• Victoria University of Wellington: Offers a scholarship program open to any international student who intends to enroll in the Study Abroad/Exchange program at Victoria University of Wellington for a minimum of one trimester. You can learn more on VUW's Scholarship Page.

• Gilman-McCain Scholarship: The U.S. Department of State’s Gilman-McCain Scholarship provides awards of $5,000 for undergraduate child dependents of active duty service members to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs.
• Freeman-Asia Scholarship: Provides scholarships for U.S. undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia.
• Fulbright Scholar: Awards offered through your university in partnership with the U.S. Department of State.
• HI USA: Explore the World scholarship is open to students with limited travel experience and resources.
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund: Merit-based scholarships ranging from $500 - $5,000 open to students of all races that identify as being of Hispanic heritage.
• National Italian American Foundation: Merit-based scholarships ranging from $2,500 - $10,000 for Italian American students from a variety of academic disciplines and backgrounds.
• Bridging Foundation: Need- and merit-based scholarships for students studying abroad in Japan.
• Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund: Need-based scholarships providing financial support for students who are active in progressive movements for social and economic justice.

• Human Rights Campaign: Database of scholarships, fellowships and grants for LGBTQ+ and allied students at both the undergraduate and graduate-level.
• Mobility International: List of scholarships and resources for students with disabilities.
• FAFSA: Need-based federal student aid offered through U.S. Department of Education 

How do I apply?
Students accepted to a WorldStrides program will have access to the scholarship application through their student account. Once you have been accepted, review the eligibility requirements on the Scholarship Application for further information. When you're ready to apply, complete the application and supporting documents from the link in your student account by the deadline. Scholarship applications that are incomplete or that are submitted past the deadline will NOT be considered.

What do I need to apply? 
Need-based scholarships will require both your home university award letter and your Student Aid Report (SAR). Your home university award letter is a document from your home university's financial aid office that states what financial aid you have been awarded, and often asks if you plan to accept or decline the awards. The SAR is a document that can be printed directly from the FAFSA website.

Do I need to submit an application for each scholarship? 
No. Only one scholarship application is required for scholarships, but there are separate essays depending on the scholarship(s) you are applying for. Be sure to checkmark all scholarships you are applying for on the application. Double-check you have included all necessary documents.

Can I apply if I'm doing an internship or community engagement program? 
Yes! Your program must be at least 8 weeks in length to be eligible for our WorldStrides scholarships and grants. If you are participating in a community engagement program that's less than 8 weeks long, you can still apply for the Community Engagement Scholarship.

• You must start and complete steps 1-3 of the online application for the WorldStrides program you plan to attend.
• You must have their study abroad office complete the Statement from University document in order to be considered for the scholarship. You can do this on your WorldStrides online application for the program.
• You'll have access to the scholarship application through your student portal. The scholarship application and supporting documents must be submitted by the respective deadline.
• Scholarship application deadlines are evaluated independently of program application deadlines and will not be extended even if the program application deadline is extended. Scholarship applications that are incomplete or that are sent past the deadline will NOT be considered.

Award notifications will take place approximately six weeks after each scholarship deadline. 

• Waiting until the last minute may cause you to miss the deadline. WorldStrides MUST receive completed applications by the deadline. Late submissions will NOT be considered. This can be especially challenging if the application deadline falls on a weekend or holiday as there will not be anyone available to ask last-minute questions, so applicants should plan accordingly.
• Applicants should allow time to prepare materials. Write your essays well in advance of the deadline, ask someone to proofread it for you, revise and then submit.
• Ensure you address the prompt clearly. Respond to the essay prompt(s) with your thoughts and experiences.
• Organize your essay. Be careful to avoid grammatical and spelling errors, so the reader can
  easily understand your response.
• Take time to develop your ideas, providing quality details and insight into your story.
• Review your essay. Head to the writing center on your campus to ask for help or to request a final review.

• Will be based on the overall application materials, including a personal essay and overall presentation.
• Applications will be judged by our scholarship review committee.
• To be considered for the scholarship you must meet the requirements. No exceptions regarding the requirements will be made.
• All scholarships are for WorldStrides abroad programs only. Students attending faculty-led programs with their home university, hosted or organized by WorldStrides do not qualify. Virtual programs do not qualify.
• You can apply for as many scholarships as you like but would only be awarded one.
• Completing the application is not a guarantee for a scholarship award.
• Award notifications will take place approximately six weeks after each scholarship deadline.
• WorldStrides scholarship recipients will have the award amount applied to the overall program balance. Should the student already be paid in full, a refund check will be sent to the student's permanent address on file with WorldStrides.