At AMIDEAST Education Abroad Programs in the Arab World, we are committed to providing financial assistance to students participating on our programs in the Middle East and North Africa. AMIDEAST currently awards two types of scholarships:

1) AMIDEAST Education Abroad Need-Based Scholarships

2) AMIDEAST Blog Abroad Scholarships

In addition to information regarding these scholarships, this page also includes:

• a set of Frequently Asked Questions about scholarships,
• a list of external scholarships, and
• a series of scholarships search engines.

 Scholarship Eligibility

Funding is available only to citizens and permanent residents of the United States participating in AMIDEAST Education Abroad Programs in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, Oman, and Tunisia. Awards will be made only to students who submit a completed scholarship application and a complete program application by the established deadlines (see below).

Scholarship applications from all qualified students will be considered. However, preference will be given to applicants who fulfill one or more of the following criteria:

• First-generation college students and/or members of groups that historically have been underrepresented on study abroad programs
• Demonstrated serious financial need
• Demonstrated academic excellence
• Currently enrolled at a college or university that is either a member of the AMIDEAST Academic Consortium or an AMIDEAST Affiliate.

Please note, the above criteria are NOT requirements for a scholarship applicant. Students from all institutions and backgrounds are eligible for AMIDEAST Scholarships.

Scholarships will be awarded for one semester or one summer term only. Participants in multiple AMIDEAST programs must re-apply for future scholarships after the initial program award.

Scholarship Application Deadlines

The deadlines below are the dates by which all application materials (the online application and all supporting scholarship documents) must be received at AMIDEAST Headquarters in Washington, DC. Late applications will not be considered.

Summer Programs                                       March 15
Fall or Academic Year Programs              April 15 
Spring Programs                                           October 15
 

1) AMIDEAST Education Abroad Need-Based Scholarships 

AMIDEAST Education Abroad Need-Based Scholarships are awarded in the form of a program fee reduction and average between $500 and $1000 for summer programs, and between $500 and $2,000 for semester and academic-year programs. In exceptional circumstances, awards of up to $2000 may be made for summer programs, and up to $5000 for semester and academic-year programs.

Responsibilities of Need-Based Scholarship Recipients

Each recipient of an AMIDEAST Need-Based Scholarship are required to submit a written or photo essay about his/her study abroad experience within one month of the program end date. Essays should be approximately three paragraphs in length and photo essays should include at least three photos with a short description paragraph for each photo. All submissions should be sent to DocsEdAbroad@amideast.org and photos should be included as separate attachments. When sending the scholarship essays, students should note in the submission email if permission is given to AMIDEAST to use the work on the Education Abroad collaborative blog or other social media sites. Students should mark their calendars for one month after the program date so essays are submitted on time.

Application Process for Need-Based Scholarships

To be considered for a Need-Based Scholarship, please submit the required documents by the appropriate deadline. A complete application includes the following:

• A completed scholarship application form, available HERE,
• On a separate page, include a 500 word, typed, single-spaced, essay on your financial need. Details are provided in the application.
•   A resume

The completed documents must be scanned and emailed to DocsEdAbroad@amideast.org by the deadlines listed below. Late applications will not be accepted.

To be eligible for a scholarship you must also submit your complete program application by the published deadline; in addition to financial need as assessed on the scholarship application form, AMIDEAST will also take into consideration the information provided in program applications when making award decisions.

NOTES for Need-Based Scholarships:

Scholarships are awarded for only one term at a time. If you are an Academic Year student and receive a scholarship your first semester and would like to apply for a scholarship for your second semester, you must submit a new scholarhisp application by the dedlines listed below. In order for your scholarship to be finalized for your second semester, you must achieve a 3.0 GPA during your first semester. 

Students planning on participating on the FIE/AMIDEAST Peace and Conflict Resolution Program in Jordan are eligible only for FIE scholarships. For more information, please visit the FIE Scholarship Page.

2) AMIDEAST Blog Abroad Scholarships

Three-four recipients are selected to act as a “correspondents” for our Egypt, Jordan, and Morocco semester-long programs. The three-four correspondents submit a blog entry based on a choice of topics every two weeks. While developing travel and creative writing skills, students also critically reflect in writing on their education abroad experience with AMIDEAST.

Selected blogger’s derive the following benefits:

•   $1,000 scholarship, which will be awarded in the form of an AMIDEAST program fee reduction
•   Travel writing experience and editorial support
•   Frequent publishing on AMIDEAST’s collaborative student blog, Mosaic

Responsibilities of Blog Abroad Correspondents

Every two weeks, recipients must submit a 500-700 word blog entry which includes at least one photograph. The blog entry should address one of a series of topics from a selected list provided to correspondents at the beginning of the semester from the AMIDEAST Education Abroad Headquarters office

Entries must represent both the correspondent and AMIDEAST in a professional manner – no vulgar or inappropriate language and no entries which show disrespect for the host-country or people. AMIDEAST reserves the right to ask you to edit your blog posting prior to its publishing

Entries and photographs must be e-mailed to DocsEdAbroad@amideast.org by the deadlines provided.

If the recipient anticipates an entry to be late, they must e-mail Education Abroad to provide substantial reasoning (illness, excursions, etc.). Failure to provide regular blog entries without approval from AMIDEAST Headquarters staff may result in revocation of the scholarship funds.

Application Process for Blog Abroad Scholarships

To be considered for a Blog Abroad Scholarship, please submit the required documents by the appropriate deadline. A complete application will include the following:

• A completed scholarship application form, available HERE,
• On a separate page, include a 500 word, typed, single-spaced, sample blog entry. Topics are provided in the application.
•   A resume
• A link to your current blog (if applicable)

The completed documents must be scanned and emailed to DocsEdAbroad@amideast.org by the deadlines listed below. Late applications will not be accepted.

To be eligible for a scholarship you must also submit your complete program application by the published deadline; in addition to financial need as assessed on the scholarship application form, AMIDEAST will also take into consideration the information provided in program applications when making award decisions.

Please keep in mind that applicants to the AMIDEAST Blog Abroad Scholarship are also eligible to the AMIDEAST Education Abroad Scholarships which are both merit and financial need based.
 

Frequently Asked Questions about Scholarships

When are the application deadlines?

When will I find out if I have been awarded a scholarship?

Students who are selected to receive scholarships will be notified by email within one month of the scholarship application deadline.

If I receive a Need-Based scholarship, do I need to provide AMIDEAST with anything upon completion of my study abroad program?

If you are selected to receive an AMIDEAST Need-Based Scholarship you will be required to submit a written or photo essay about your study abroad experience within one month of their program end date. Blog Abroad Scholarship recipients are required to submit a blog entry every two weeks during the program and one entry after the close of the program.

Will an award from AMIDEAST affect my financial aid at my home institution?

Receipt of a scholarship from AMIDEAST may result in changes or reductions to the financial aid you receive from your home institution. We therefore strongly urge you to consult with your financial aid office prior to applying for an AMIDEAST Education Abroad Scholarship, to determine whether you might be affected by such a reduction or change. If you are awarded an AMIDEAST Education Abroad Scholarship, we will inform the study abroad office at your home college or university; you are responsible for reporting any award to your financial aid office.

Are there other sources of funding besides AMIDEAST Education Abroad Scholarships?

You may be eligible for financial aid and scholarship funding other than that offered by AMIDEAST. Make sure to consult with your financial aid office to find out whether your home college or university allows institutional aid to be used for study abroad, and whether you may be eligible for federal financial aid. We also encourage you to consider some of the below scholarship programs that are of particular interest to AMIDEAST program participants.

External Scholarships

Gilman Scholarships

The Gilman Scholarship Program offers a competition for awards for undergraduate study abroad and was established by the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000. This scholarship provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study abroad programs worldwide. Award amounts will vary depending on the length of study and student need. Students who apply for and receive the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad and are planning to study certain languages abroad (including Arabic) may also be eligible to receive an additional Critical Need Language Supplement from the Gilman Scholarship Program. Sponsored by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Gilman Scholarship Program is congressionally funded and is administered by the Institute of International Education through its Southern Regional Center in Houston, TX. For more information, visit the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship website.

Boren Awards for International Study

Boren Scholarships are funded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP), which focuses on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security. Applicants are expected to identify how their study abroad program, as well as their future academic and career goals, will contribute to U.S. national security, broadly defined. NSEP draws on a broad definition of national security, recognizing that the scope of national security has expanded to include not only the traditional concerns of protecting and promoting American well-being, but also the challenges of global society, including sustainable development, environmental degradation, global disease and hunger, population growth and migration, and economic competitiveness. Boren Scholarships provide financial assistance to U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad in areas of the world that are critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad, including but not limited to the Middle East. Boren Scholars represent a variety of academic backgrounds, but all are interested in studying less commonly taught languages, including but not limited to Arabic. For more information, visit the Boren Awards for International Study website.

Diversity Network Summer Scholarships

Diversity Network, in partnership with STA Travel, offers summer program scholarships to full-time undergraduate students at universities or community colleges. These $750 scholarships are available to students studying through a Diversity Network member or institution (including AMIDEAST students), and who are willing to share their experiences by blog, articles, or discussion boards. Please visit the Diversity Network's website.

Fund for Education Abroad (FEA)

The Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) was designed by education abroad professionals in order to assist students fund their study abroad experiences by providing scholarships and grants. FEA awards scholarships up to $5,000 per semester for students planning to study abroad on academically rigorous programs with a preference for underrepresented students. The scholarship awards are open to students studying in a variety of programs, including AMIDEAST. In order to learn more about the scholarships and to apply for the coming year, please visit the FEA website.

Global Studies Foundation Grants

Each year, the Global Studies Foundation offers three grants, each of $1,000, with separate categories for students, faculty, and institutions:
1. The Global Studies Grant for Student Travel and Study Abroad.
2. The Global Studies Grant for Faculty Travel and Professional Development.
3. The Global Studies Grant for Institutional Program Development.

GSF's annual grants cycle involves a spring call for proposals, a summer application deadline of July1 for all grants, and a fall review of proposals, with awards typically announced and distributed before the end of the year. For more information about these grants and GSF policies and procedures concerning them, please explore their website.

Glimpse Correspondents Program

The Glimpse Correspondents Program is for talented writers, photographers, and filmmakers with a passion for storytelling and a knack for finding truly unique stories. Glimpse Correspondents work closely with editors to develop a carefully crafted portfolio of published work. Throughout the editorial process, Correspondents receive critical feedback on their work and learn how to develop ideas from initial queries and drafts into compelling, publishable long form pieces. The program is open to anyone who will be working, volunteering, or studying outside of their home country for at least 10 weeks. Correspondents receive the following benefits:
* $600 stipend
* Free tuition to MatadorU ($350 value)
* Professional editorial support
* Career training in travel writing and photography
* Publication on MatadorNetwork.com and Glimpse.org
 

STA Travel Scholarships

$2500 study abroad scholarships are available for students who desire to gain an international education through a donation from STA Travel. At the time of applying for a scholarship, you must be enrolled in a North American college or university where transfer credit from an academic program abroad will be applied to your degree being earned. You must be a US or Canadian citizen

In addition to the "general eligibility" requirements listed above, students should have an emphasis of study in one of the following areas in order to apply for the STA Travel Scholar Award:
* Photography
* Film and Art
* Travel and Tourism
* International Business
* International Studies or
* Foreign Language

Scholarship Search Resources

StudyAbroad.com
A funding and financial aid directory with many links to scholarship resources.

IIE's Study Abroad Funding Directory
With hundreds of scholarship and grant listings, IIE’s online directory Study Abroad Funding is among the most comprehensive directories for U.S. students to find funding for studying abroad.

NAFSA (Association of International Educators)
Information for students considering study abroad, including funding and scholarship opportunities.

InternationalScholarships.com
A resource for financial aid, college scholarship, and grant information for U.S. and international students wishing to study abroad.

Abroad101.com
A newer scholarship provider, many study abroad funding options can be found here.

CollegeNET
 A scholarship search engine that can be used to find study abroad scholarships.