Michigan State University Study Abroad Scholarships: A Comprehensive Guide

Studying abroad is an enriching experience that can broaden your horizons and enhance your academic and personal growth. Michigan State University (MSU) offers a variety of scholarships to help students finance their study abroad endeavors. This article provides a detailed overview of the various scholarships available to MSU students, including eligibility requirements, award amounts, and application processes.

MSU Admissions Scholarships

These scholarships are awarded to high-achieving students based on their academic performance and are automatically considered upon admission to MSU.

MSU Non-Resident Scholarship

The MSU Non-resident Scholarship is awarded to high-achieving non-resident students based on their academic performance, with consideration given to the overall rigor and success within their curriculum. All international students admitted to MSU are automatically considered for this award. Scholarship decisions are released by mid-February. The award levels are:

President's Scholarship: $15,000
Provost's Scholarship: $12,000
Dean's Scholarship: $10,000
1855 Scholarship: $7,000
Beaumont Tower Scholarship: $5,000

Global Community Scholars Scholarship

This scholarship awards $3,000 to students committed to furthering intercultural understanding.

#YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship

This grant is awarded to a select group of international undergraduate students who demonstrate a commitment to furthering the #YouAreWelcomeHere message by bridging intercultural divides. It covers $25,000 towards tuition annually and is renewable for eight semesters. The #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship application is required. This scholarship cannot be combined with the MSU Non-resident Scholarship.

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Red Cedar Scholarship

Awarded to dependents or grandchildren of Michigan State University alumni, this scholarship provides $1,250 annually, renewable for eight semesters.

Presidential Study Abroad Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded for use with an MSU-sponsored or co-sponsored study abroad program outside of the United States. The award is either $3,000 or $5,000, depending upon the length of the program. It must be used within the first eight semesters of enrollment as an undergraduate at MSU or before completion of the undergraduate degree, whichever occurs first.

Honors College Scholarships

To be eligible for these scholarships, you must be an incoming first-year student who has been invited to the Honors College. All students who apply to MSU will be considered for the Honors College, and consideration for these awards is automatic.

Honors College Excellence Scholarship

Awarded to a select group of non-Michigan residents and international students who are Honors College invitees, the Excellence Scholarship awards $13,000 annually over eight semesters.

Professorial Assistantship

Offered to a select number of international and homeschooled Honors College invitees based on a holistic review of their individual academic records. Domestic students are also eligible for this offer, however their eligibility is based on having a GPA that places them in the top 5% of applicants to MSU from their respective schools.

College of Arts & Letters (CAL) Scholarships

The College of Arts & Letters offers a variety of scholarships specifically for students participating in education abroad programs and/or credit-bearing internships.

CAL Education Abroad Scholarship

This scholarship is dedicated to students participating in an education abroad program, including international internship programs. Applicants must be full-time undergraduate, degree-seeking students with a major in the College of Arts & Letters and a FAFSA on file at MSU. Applicants must have an MSU GPA of 2.0 or above at the time of application and must be participating in an MSU-approved, credit-bearing program. Students who meet the criteria above and have a primary major in the College of Arts & Letters are guaranteed a scholarship.

CAL Internship Scholarship

This scholarship is dedicated to students with College of Arts & Letters majors who are completing an independent non-credit or credit-bearing internship, and those who are receiving low to no compensation. Preference is given to unpaid applicants. Internships may be hybrid or in-person, but are NOT intended for students completing remote-only internships or internships where MSU is the employer. Internships must be located in the US. Preference is given to CAL majors who are graduating one or more semesters prior to application. Financial need is considered when awarding scholarships. Applicants must be in good-standing (not on academic probation) to be considered. This scholarship is offered three times a year and first time applicants will be prioritized.

CAL Endowed Scholarships for Education Abroad

To apply to any of the following CAL endowed scholarships for education abroad (including international internship programs), please see the link at the bottom of this list. You can apply for any of the CAL endowed scholarships using the same link. These awards are only eligible for summer, fall, and academic year programs. Applicants must be in their junior year when applying and be a primary major in the College of Arts & Letters. Applicants must write a statement of purpose that will focus on the integration of their international education and their personal career objectives.

John W. Applicants must be a primary major in Arts & Letters, be junior standing (56-87 earned credits), have a minimum GPA of 2.5, and reach senior standing by the following summer or fall semester. The amount of the award depends on available funds.
William J. Applicants must be a primary major in Arts & Letters, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, have a sophomore or above class standing (minimum 28 credits), and planning to study abroad in Ireland. The amount of the award depends on available funds.
Margie L. This scholarship is intended to benefit students pursuing a degree in the College of Arts & Letters who choose to participate in a study abroad program within the College. This scholarship is intended for students with financial need.
This scholarship is intended to benefit College of Arts & Letters students who are participating in an MSU study abroad program. Past recipients have had a GPA of 3.5 or above. The amount of the award depends on available funds.
This scholarship is intended to benefit College of Arts & Letters majors who choose to participate in a study abroad program within the College. Applicants must be full-time students in good standing with a declared major in the College of Arts and Letters and a GPA of 3.0 or above.
This scholarship is intended for College of Arts & Letters majors participating in an education abroad or internship experience. Applicants must be full-time students in good standing with a declared major in the College of Arts and Letters.

MSU-Wide Study Abroad Scholarships

MSU’s Office for Education Abroad administers various MSU-wide study abroad scholarships.

Serling Institute for Jewish Studies and Modern Israel Scholarships

MSU’s Serling Institute for Jewish Studies and Modern Israel administers various study abroad scholarships for students participating in select programs in Israel.

Global Studies in the Arts and Humanities (GSAH) Program Scholarships

The GSAH Program is offering Scholarships to students with majors, double majors, and minors in Global Studies in the Arts and Humanities.

College of Communication Arts and Sciences Scholarships

To be eligible to apply, students must have a declared major in the College of Communication Arts and Sciences, have a 2.5 or higher cumulative GPA, and be officially accepted into a ComArtSci sponsored education abroad program or the Washington, DC education away program to be eligible for education abroad scholarships.

Department of Romance and Classical Studies Scholarships

The Language Study Scholarships are a financial award to be used toward a credit-bearing RCS sponsored semester-long or summer international experience in French, Spanish, or Italian. The number of scholarships available varies from year to year. Applications are due November 1st for the spring program and April 1st for summer, fall, and academic year programs.

Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Program

The FLAS Program is administered by the US Department of Education and is intended for both undergraduate and graduate students in any discipline in order to promote priority less-commonly taught languages of Latin America and the Caribbean, including Portuguese. Students who are graduating but planning to attend MSU for graduate school are eligible to apply for the graduate student fellowships especially if they would like to begin studying another Latin American language.

Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is part of a U.S. Department of State effort to expand the number of Americans studying and mastering foreign languages that are critical to national security and economic prosperity.

College of Arts & Letters Experiential Learning Scholarships

The College of Arts & Letters has multiple scholarships for experiential learning opportunities including study abroad, study away, and internships. These financial awards are to be used toward MSU-approved, credit-bearing programs. Applicants must be full-time undergraduate, degree-seeking students with a major in the College of Arts & Letters. Submit only one application and your materials will be reviewed under the following five categories: Foreign Language Scholarship, Beyond Boundaries Scholarship, Excel Network Scholarship, Study Away Scholarship, Independent Internship, and Supplemental Citizen Scholar Award. These awards are eligible for summer, fall, spring academic year programs. Applicants must be in their junior year when applying and be a primary major in the College of Arts & Letters. Applicants must write a statement of purpose that will focus on the integration of their international education and their personal career objectives. The amount of the award depends on available funds and will be credited during the tuition payment process.

John W. Applicants must be a primary major in Arts and Letters, be junior standing (56-87 earned credits), have a minimum GPA of 2.5, and reach senior standing by the following summer or fall semester. The amount of the award depends on available funds. The award will be credited during the summer or fall tuition payment process.
Margie L. This scholarship is intended to benefit students pursuing a degree in the College of Arts & Letters who choose to participate in a study abroad program within the College. This scholarship is intended for students with financial need. Preference shall be given to students in their junior/senior year who are majoring in a foreign language with a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Additional CAL Scholarships (Summer Programs)

All MSU students who are planning to study abroad are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Past recipients have had a GPA of 3.5 or above. The amount of the award depends on available funds. The award will be credited during the tuition payment process.
This scholarship is intended to benefit students pursuing a degree in the College of Arts & Letters who choose to participate in a study abroad program within the College. Applicants must be full-time students in good standing with a declared major in the College of Arts and Letters and a GPA of 3.0 or above. Applicants must also have applied to a CAL study abroad program.

External Scholarships

Outside of MSU, there are a variety of national awards available for education abroad. Award amounts and criteria vary, including some awards dedicated to study in a particular region or country. These scholarships will have applications and deadlines separate from MSU.

Important Dates

The EA scholarship for SS26/US26 closed on November 3, 2025.
The application deadline for Spring 2026 and Spring Break 2026 closed on Monday, October 6, 2025.
Applications for the Language Study Scholarships are due November 1st for the spring program and April 1st for summer, fall, and academic year programs.
The application deadline for some CAL scholarships for summer programs is March 1.

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