Scholarship search tools & strategies
In addition to the ideas provided in the Explore section, there are many good, free, online scholarship search tools. Research your options and use the resources that work best for you. Here are a few tools to consider:
Broad search tools applicable to everyone
- OMSFA's scholarship database – a smaller but helpful starting point for exploring UW, local, national, and international scholarships at all levels
- Join OMSFA's email list: get upcoming scholarships & related events delivered to your inbox every-other week
- @uwomsfa: we post regularly about scholarship news & deadlines
- The WashBoard – search for scholarships for students in Washington
- Nationally Coveted College Scholarships, Graduate Fellowships & Post-Doctoral Awards – a helpful listing of national scholarships at all levels
- UW Libraries' Graduate Funding Information Service – provides additional lists of helpful databases & resources
- Undergraduate scholarship website – UW Financial Aid
- SallieMae – a large, commercial scholarship database
- Scholarships.com – a large, commercial scholarship database
- ProFellow.com – a database of over 2500+ fellowships for students, graduate school, and professionals.
Search tools applicable to studying abroad
Finding scholarships and resources to pay for Study Abroad
While there are some scholarships specifically for study abroad, many students creatively use other scholarships and funding resources to pay for their study abroad program costs. In some cases, scholarships can only be used toward tuition (and not for study abroad program costs), so you may need to strategize how you can and will use scholarship funds that you might receive.
Tips:
- Be sure to search and apply early: study abroad scholarships and other resources often have deadlines 6+ months before the start of your study abroad program.
- Consider how to have the money upfront: Study abroad programs often require you to pay a deposit 1-2 weeks after you are accepted into a program; the final, total payment is typically due 60-90 days before the program starts.
- Research the costs: Study abroad programs can be costly!
- UW Study Abroad estimated costs (on average):
- Spring break (~1 week): $2,500-$4,500
- Summer or Early Fall (3-4 weeks): $4,500-$7,000
- Quarter (10 weeks): $11,000-$13,500+
- Semester-long (2+ quarters): ~$15,000+
- Do not rely on financial aid to help cover the costs of studying abroad. UW Study Abroad only has a limited number of need-based scholarships.
- Apply to as many scholarships as you are eligible for; Scholarships to support study abroad are essentially all scholarships and can come from a variety of scholarship sources. You can check out the list of study abroad websites below or scholarship opportunities on our Scholarship Database. Apply to your Department’s scholarships, which typically accept applications during Winter or Spring quarter.
- UW Study Abroad scholarship information
- scholars4dev, “short for Scholarships for Development, is an updated listing of international scholarships that are open to students from developing countries and international students in general.”
- Study Abroad Scholarships
- Institute of International Education
- International Education Financial Aid
- Fund for Education Abroad
- Study in the USA
- NAFSA Association of International Educators – “Financial Aid for Undergraduate International Students”
- EduPASS Financial Aid for International Students
- US State Department’s Education USA
Fall Quarter 2026 Scholarship Resources
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship | Fall Deadline: October 1 at 11:59 pm PT
- The Gilman Scholarship awards up to $5,000 for undergraduates to study or intern abroad. To be eligible a student must:
- be a U.S. citizen or a U.S. national
- be receiving a federal Pell Grant as part of their financial aid award
- participate in an approved UW Study Abroad program
- Students whose programs START between December 1, 2026, to October 31, 2027, are eligible to apply in the current application cycle. This cycle encompasses Winter or January term 2027, Spring 2027, Summer 2027, Early Fall Start 2027, and Fall 2027 programs or internships.
Click here to view our Gilman Information Session from 9.2.26
Gilman Scholarship Handout with Brainstorming Prompts
Upcoming Gilman Scholarship Info Sessions, Drop-In Hours, and Workshops
- Gilman Scholarship Workshop and Feedback Session | Friday, September 25 from 12-1:30 pm | Zoom
- Gilman Scholarship Drop-in Office hours | Thursday, October 1 from 11 am-12 pm | Zoom
