Navigating Financial Aid for Students in Ukraine: Opportunities and Resources

Ukraine has a long and fascinating history as an eastern Slavic state. Once called Kyivan Rus, Ukraine was incorporated into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, from which it gained independence in the mid-17th century. Even as one of the Soviet Socialist Republics, Ukraine never lost its nationalistic spirit, and succeeded in regaining autonomy in 1991. This article provides an overview of financial aid opportunities available to Ukrainian students, both for studying within Ukraine and abroad, as well as resources for international students interested in Ukrainian studies.

Opportunities for Ukrainian Students

Ukraine Global Scholars (UGS)

Ukraine Global Scholars (UGS) is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping Ukrainian high school students from modest backgrounds receive scholarships to top global boarding schools and colleges. Since 2015, UGS has helped 350+ young Ukrainians receive $94+ million in full scholarships.

UGS's Mission and Impact: UGS aims to develop a new generation of Ukrainian leaders capable of creating a victorious and prosperous future in Ukraine today. Through mentorship, education, career guidance, and empowerment for Ukrainian youth, they seek to scale their impact and generate a powerful ripple effect.

Support Provided: UGS supports scholars from modest backgrounds with the application process, internships, and independent ventures. They build a family of bright and patriotic Ukrainians passionate about changing Ukraine and the world.

Application Process and Mentorship: UGS has a dedicated admissions team and a three-stage application process. They have a network of 60+ mentors and 30+ co-mentors providing 1:1 application guidance to the students. All scholars attend a 10-day onboarding camp, and those who need to improve test scores attend a 6-week test prep school.

Partnerships and Internships: UGS works with ~50 boarding schools and ~50 college partners to help find best fit opportunities for students. They also collaborate with 40 Ukraine-based domestic and international employers to facilitate the placement of UGS scholars into 8-week summer internships.

Growth and Recognition: In 10 years, UGS grew their applicant pool from 100+ to 750+, the yearly number of scholars from 10+ to 100+, and the broader UGS network of students, mentors, partner admissions officers, employers, etc. from 0 to 350. UGS has been featured by numerous media outlets, including Forbes Ukraine (#1), KyivPost(#1, #2), Voice of America (#1, #2, #3), Atlantic Council, 1+1, and others.

Scholarships to Alfred University

Alfred University is one example of a higher education institution offering significant financial aid to Ukrainian students. In the fall, four Ukrainian students joined Alfred University for their undergraduate studies, all with full or nearly full tuition scholarships provided through a combination of institutional and philanthropic support; a fifth student enrolled at Alfred this spring with a scholarship covering 90 percent of tuition costs. The university has articulated a resolution to continue to offer scholarship support to talented and motivated Ukrainian students.

Opportunities for International Students Studying Ukrainian Language and Culture

Several programs and scholarships support international students interested in studying Ukrainian language, culture, and related fields.

Harvard Ukrainian Summer Institute (HUSI)

The Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute (HURI) provides a substantial amount of financial aid each year to support participation in the Harvard Ukrainian Summer Institute (HUSI) and registration in HUSI courses offered through the Harvard Summer School (HSS). Funding primarily supports tuition, but a very limited number of full scholarships include tuition plus room and board in on-campus housing.

Eligibility and Requirements: Scholarships are highly competitive and need-based. Applications are evaluated based on financial need, merit, motivation, and the impact that HUSI coursework will have on the student's academic and professional development. Scholarship recipients are expected to dedicate their full attention and best efforts to their coursework and are required to actively participate in HUSI programming, including attending the weekly public lecture series. Scholarship recipients are asked to contribute one article to the HUSI Blog.

Application Instructions: Applications for a HUSI Scholarship consist of the following parts: HUSI Enrollment Form, online application form, application essay, CV, transcript, and one letter of recommendation. The online application is located on Harvard's CARAT application platform.

University of Kansas Office of Study Abroad

The University of Kansas Office of Study Abroad allows students to apply any existing financial aid to its summer Language Institute in L’viv (which you may recognize by its Polish name, Lwów), Ukraine. The course is open to students from any accredited school in the U. S., with the primary requirement being an interest in the Ukrainian language.

Boren Awards

The Boren Awards include scholarships for undergraduates and fellowships for graduate students who want to study abroad in countries designated as vital to national security but less often chosen by students. The Boren requires you to study a language, and both Ukrainian and Russian, which are Ukraine’s two principal languages, appear on the preferred list. The Borens are especially competitive because of the money involved. Scholarships bring as much as $20,000 and fellowships, up to $30,000, but you will be expected to complete government service in exchange for the opportunity. The NSEP Service Requirement specifies work in national security, and that may take you to agencies like the Departments of State, Defense, or Homeland Security.

Gilman Scholarship Program

The Gilman Scholarship Program produces a more diverse range of American students representing the country abroad by distributing additional scholarships to those who receive Pell Grants (indicating financial need). You must plan to study in one country for at least four weeks, and may also study elsewhere. The Gilmans do heed the State Department’s travel warnings, so bear that in mind. The average Gilman award is $4,000, and the maximum is $5,000, but if you study a language on the Critical Need list you are also eligible for an extra $8,000.

Read also: Financial Aid at Carthage

School of Russian and Asian Studies (SRAS)

The School of Russian and Asian Studies (SRAS) is both a provider and a unique resource on funds for studying abroad in Eurasia. The Home and Abroad: Report journalism internship combines reporting work at home and travel to Kiev (also spelled Kyiv), Ukraine for the purpose of studying the Russian language and foreign policy.

IREX

IREX is a nonprofit that uses funding from the State Department’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research to underwrite the Individual Advanced Research Opportunities Program (IARO). Advanced students conduct original research projects in Eastern Europe and Eurasia with the goal of contributing to American foreign policy.

Resources and Advising Centers

Kyiv EducationUSA Advising Center

Kyiv EducationUSA Advising Center is a part of the EducationUSA network of more than 450 advising centers worldwide. colleges and universities. The Kyiv Advising Center is administered by American Councils for International Education: ACTR/ACCELS in Ukraine. The Center features comprehensive library and study room with wifi access. higher education institutions. The center conducts regular webinars (on a weekly basis) on a wide array of topics related to application process and studies in the US, and holds a Higher Education Fair in the fall. All Kyiv Advising Center's services are free of charge.

Additional Considerations

Travel Warnings

If your country of choice is under an official travel warning, that may affect any applications you submit.

National Service

The Borens are especially competitive because of the money involved and you will be expected to complete government service in exchange for the opportunity. The NSEP Service Requirement specifies work in national security, and that may take you to agencies like the Departments of State, Defense, or Homeland Security.

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