Unlocking Global Opportunities: A Guide to Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) Scholarships

Studying abroad can be a transformative experience, offering students invaluable opportunities for personal and academic growth. However, the cost of international education can be a significant barrier for many. The Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) addresses this challenge by providing scholarships to deserving undergraduate students with financial need who wish to study abroad. This article provides a comprehensive overview of FEA scholarships, their requirements, and the diverse opportunities they unlock.

FEA's Mission: Diversifying Education Abroad

The Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) is committed to diversifying education abroad and strongly encourages students from groups traditionally underrepresented in international education to apply. FEA awards scholarships in amounts of up to $1,500 for Summer programs, $5,000 for Semester programs and $10,000 for Academic Year programs.

General Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for an FEA scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Be an undergraduate student at a U.S. college or university (graduate students are not eligible).
Receive academic credit from your home institution for your study abroad program.
Be studying abroad for at least 14 days.
Have demonstrated financial need.

How Financial Need Is Determined

FEA assesses financial need based on information from the applicant's most recent FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).

The Application Process

The FEA scholarship application is available online during designated periods. The application gathers information about the applicant, their study abroad program, and their academic background, including an unofficial transcript. A crucial component of the application is the Financial Aid Form.

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Key Steps in the Application Process:

Access the Online Application: The online application is available to access from the FEA website when the application is open.
Complete the Financial Aid Form: Download the Financial Aid Form and the Authorization to Release FAFSA and FERPA Protected Information form. Complete Section 3 of the FEA Financial Aid Form and upload it to your online application. Note that you do not need to upload the Authorization form.
Submit All Materials Before the Deadline: Ensure that all application materials are uploaded and submitted before the deadline.

Resources for Applicants

FEA provides resources to assist applicants in preparing strong applications:

Applicant Webinar: This webinar covers the different scholarships, eligibility requirements, application content, and tips for creating a strong application.
Writing Workshop: This workshop offers tips and advice for crafting compelling essays for the FEA application.

FEA Access Partners

FEA’s Access Partners share a commitment to increasing the number of American college students studying abroad through the provision of scholarships.

Specific FEA Scholarships

FEA offers a variety of scholarships with specific criteria and purposes. Here are some notable examples:

FEA Alumni Scholarship

This scholarship is funded by FEA alumni scholars who wish to give back to the organization that made their transformational study abroad experiences possible. It is awarded to a deserving student attending a study abroad program.

David T. Parry Scholarship

Named for FEA Founder and Chairman Emeritus, David T. Parry, this scholarship honors his dedication to educational travel and equity. David T. Parry, along with his wife and business partner, Susan, owned Academic Travel Abroad for forty years and continued to lead educational travel tours through the Swiss Alps and elsewhere well into his 80s.

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Gateway International Group Education Abroad Scholarship

Made possible by Gateway International Group, preference for this scholarship is given to applicants who are first-generation college students or those whose home or college of study are in Kentucky. The scholarship provides between $1,000 to $10,000. Gateway International Group supports institutions and organizations around the world with leveraging strategic new directions and emerging opportunities in international education.

Hiliary Echo Douglas Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded to one student each year planning to study abroad in Vietnam or within other Southeast Asian cultures. The scholarship was established in memory of Hiliary Echo Douglas, a study abroad advocate who passed away in 2008. In 1999, Hiliary traveled to Vietnam with a Fulbright Fellowship to investigate modern theatre in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

J. Scott Van Der Meid Scholarship

This scholarship is established in memory of J. Scott Van Der Meid, a long-time supporter of FEA. Scott's experiences studying abroad as a high school student in Germany and as an undergraduate in Japan were formative. He was a pioneer in developing advising strategies to support underrepresented students, such as the LGBTQ community and students of diverse ethnic, cultural, and faith backgrounds. The scholarship continues his legacy of advocating for underrepresented students and increasing diversity in study abroad.

LGBTQ+ Scholarship

This scholarship is available to deserving students who identify as LGBTQ+ attending a study abroad program. It is made possible by the generous support of a group of international education professionals who are committed to advocating on behalf of LGBTQIA+ students.

NAFSA Tamara H. Bryant Scholarship

FEA awards these funds to African-American undergraduate students in the United States who hope to study abroad and who also embody Mrs. Bryant’s spirit of resilience and commitment to intercultural exchange. Tamara H. Bryant immigrated to the United States from Rangoon, Burma, in the 1960s and established an endowment at NAFSA to foster intercultural exchange through the provision of scholarships.

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Seven Corners Travel Insurance Scholarship

Made possible by Seven Corners Travel Insurance, which offers customizable trip protection and travel medical insurance for domestic and international customers.

The A. Scholarship

This scholarship will be awarded to a deserving student planning to study abroad in Denmark.

Sir Cyril Taylor Memorial Scholarship

The scholarship is named after the late Sir Cyril Taylor who spent his life bringing the world together through education and policy as a part of numerous organizations. In 1964, Sir Cyril helped found AIFS, a leading educational organization providing cultural exchange and academic opportunities for more than 1.5 million young people.

Drs. Virginia and Robert Craig Scholarship

This scholarship fund has been created to honor Drs. Virginia and Robert Craig, who dedicated their lives to learning and sparked the love of learning in those around them.

Overcoming Barriers: FEA's Impact

FEA scholarships play a crucial role in removing financial barriers and enabling students from diverse backgrounds to participate in study abroad programs. By providing financial assistance and support, FEA empowers students to gain international experience, broaden their perspectives, and develop valuable skills for their future careers.

The Transformative Power of Education Abroad

Studying abroad offers numerous benefits, including:

Personal Growth: Students develop independence, adaptability, and problem-solving skills.
Academic Enrichment: Students gain a deeper understanding of their field of study and learn from different perspectives.
Cultural Awareness: Students develop cross-cultural communication skills and learn to appreciate diverse cultures.
Career Advancement: International experience enhances students' resumes and makes them more competitive in the global job market.

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