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Study Abroad Scholarships

UNC Study Abroad Scholarships are a fantastic way to help cover program expenses, especially if your fall or spring program is more expensive than being in Chapel Hill for a semester. Scholarships are also a terrific way to help cover summer study abroad programs, since these are more expensive than summer sessions at UNC.

How much funding is available?

Over 1 million dollars is available for study abroad scholarships each year.

What are the deadlines?

To be considered for scholarships, complete and submit your regular study abroad program application by the standard program deadline:

Spring and Calendar Year programs | September 10
Summer programs | January 31
Fall and Academic Year programs | March 1

How can I apply?

To be considered for UNC Study Abroad Scholarships, simply select “yes” to the scholarship question(s) in your study abroad program application and answer any additional prompts by the designated deadline. There is no separate application for UNC Study Abroad Scholarships. 

How it works

The UNC Study Abroad Office, in collaboration with other campus partners, administers a variety of scholarships specifically for students who study abroad. These awards originate from both endowed scholarship funds and from monetary gifts to a study abroad awards fund. Scholarship eligibility criteria often includes but is not limited to financial need (based upon the FAFSA), academic merit, the geographic region of the study abroad program, major, and your county of residence.  Study abroad scholarships are linked with program applications, so when you open an application to study abroad, you will automatically see all relevant scholarship questionnaires.

Scholarships available in corresponding program applications

All students who are applying for a UNC Study Abroad Office program will be prompted to answer scholarship questionnaires in their study abroad program application. To be considered for UNC Study Abroad Office Scholarships, simply select “yes” to the scholarship question(s) in your program application and answer any additional prompts by the designated deadline. There is no separate application for UNC Study Abroad Office Scholarships.

Check out our database to learn more about all of the different scholarship funds you may qualify to receive!

All students that apply to an Honors Carolina Away Program or Burch Seminar will be prompted to answer a scholarship questionnaire to be considered for UNC Honors Carolina Study Away Scholarships. Scholarship eligibility criteria includes financial need (based upon the FAFSA) and academic merit, among other factors related to each particular scholarship fund.

To be considered for UNC Honors Carolina Study Away Scholarships, simply select “yes” to the scholarship question(s) in your Honors study abroad program application and answer any additional prompts by the designated deadline. There is no separate application for UNC Honors Carolina Study Away Scholarships.

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Johnston Scholars planning to study abroad on the Honors Semester in London program are eligible to apply for the Marietta and Hyman Bielsky Scholarship to cover additional costs associated with program participation. Funding is intended to make program participation cost the same as a semester on campus. Students can apply at any time up to a year in advance of their planned semester in London so they have assurance of the scholarship in hand before applying to the program. Scholarships are approved until all annual funds are awarded.

Phillips Ambassadors is an experiential scholarship program for students who seek to study and/or intern in Asia on one of UNC’s approved study abroad programs. Ambassadors receive a $6,000 scholarship, engage in a unique Global Studies course, attend networking events to prepare for and reflect upon the Asia experience, and give back to the community upon return. Phillips Ambassadors seeks a diverse cohort from all majors and backgrounds. For more information including eligibility and requirements, visit the Phillips Ambassadors website.

To be considered for the Phillips Ambassadors Program Scholarship, simply select “yes” to the scholarship question in your study abroad application for eligible Asia programs and answer the additional prompts by the designated deadline. There is no separate application for the Phillips Ambassadors Program.

Please note that Kenan-Flagler Business School students who are applying specifically to a Kenan-Flagler global program in Asia have a unique and separate Phillips Ambassadors Program application process. Details can be found on this webpage.

My study abroad experience was contingent upon me getting scholarships and saving up money from the previous semester. I had to learn how to budget and more importantly, had to prioritize the things that were important to me.

Gigi Cloney, Spring 2020 Scholarship Recipient

Other Study Abroad Scholarships

For additional scholarship opportunities, review the Other Funding Sources page. It is never too early to start planning!