Application & Eligibility
DEADLINES:
October 5, 2012: Spring 2013, Winter Break 2012
December 7, 2012: Spring Break 2013
January 11, 2013: Faculty-led summer 2013
March 1, 2013: Fall 2013, Independent summer
Did You Know .. we have a Frequently Asked Questions page to answer all of your questions about scholarships? If you have a question not answered here, please contact our office.
OSA Study Abroad Grant
Types of awards:
Financial-need based; established by the student’s filed FAFSA
Merit-based; typically the top students in the pool
Eligibility:
Full-time EIU student for at least one semester before studying abroad and must have a 2.5 GPA (cum) at the time of application. Students must complete a study abroad program application in order to be considered for scholarship funding.
Please note that guest students from other institutions are not eligible for these scholarships.
Award amounts:
Between $500 and $2,000 per student.
Service:
Grant recipients will serve as a Study Abroad Ambassador for the semester after they return from their program abroad. The service requirement is 4 hours, which can be accomplished by a variety of projects with OSA.
Evaluation Criteria: Applications will be evaluated using the point-based system detailed below. 100 total points are possible.
|
Criteria |
Formula |
Total |
|
GPA |
GPA x 10 |
40 |
|
Essay |
1 to 20 |
20 |
|
Letters of Recommendation |
1 to 15 |
15 |
|
Leadership (as listed on resume) |
1-5 |
5 |
|
Foreign Language Study - Students who plan to study any foreign language as part of their study abroad program |
5 |
5 |
|
Time Abroad - Programs with greater time spent abroad (ex. 8-week programs would receive more points than 4-week programs) |
# of Weeks |
Max 15 |
Click here for some tips on how to write the best application, including what to include your essay and how to request a recommendation letter.
The Office of Study Abroad also offers 4 other scholarship opportunities:
- William V. Weber Scholarship
- Kate & Cliff Strandberg Study Abroad in Europe Scholarship
- Dorothy E. Walden Short-Term Study Abroad Scholarship
- Tuition Exchange Waiver
Remember, in order to apply for Strandberg, Walden or Weber you must print an eligibility worksheet to submit with your application.
William V. Weber Study Abroad Scholarship
Scholarship recipients must be enrolled in good standing at EIU and qualify for financial aid. For at least half of the scholarships awarded in a given year, preference will be given to minority students (including gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender students) and first generation students. Scholarship monies may be spent on tuition and fees, travel expenses (transportation, meals, and lodging), study materials or resources, and other incidental expenditures directly related to travel abroad. More than one student may receive assistance from this fund in a given year. In addition, a past scholarship recipient may apply for and receive the award more than once, provided he/she continues to meet the eligibility criteria.
Click here to view the eligibility worksheet for this award.
Kate and Cliff Strandberg Study Abroad in Europe Scholarship
Recipients must be full-time domestic undergraduate or graduate students, accepted to Eastern Illinois University, and with a minimum of a 2.75 GPA. Preference is given to School of Technology majors. Students must be planning to study abroad in Europe with attendant approval tendered to the Office of Study Abroad prior to awarding of the scholarship; all study credits must be applicable to the student's degree program. The recipient may, upon returning to the US, be asked to speak to the International Forum program regarding the study abroad experience.
Click here to view the eligibility worksheet for this award.
Dorothy E. Walden Short-Term Study Abroad Scholarship
Recipients must study on a short-term faculty-led study abroad program. Recipients must have at least junior status and at least a 3.0 GPA. The recipient must not have traveled previously outside of the USA, Mexico, and Canada. Students should apply through the online system. Note that an additional letter of recommendation (3 total) is required for this scholarship. Also, the applicant must submit a written statement explaining how this award will assist them in achieving their personal goals.
Click here to view the eligibility worksheet for this award.
Office of Study Abroad Tuition Exchange Waivers:
Our office has an exchange agreement with several different institutions overseas. As a result of this relationship, we are able to offer free tuition to qualified students who plan to study abroad for a semester at one of these schools listed below.
This award covers 12 credit hours of EIU tuition. Applicants must have at least a 2.5 GPA (cum). This award is reserved for students that exhibit financial need (as reported on their FAFSA), and have distinguished themselves as high-achieving students.
To apply for this award, please contact the Office of Study Abroad for further instructions.
Exchange programs include:
Central Queensland University, Australia
Eastern Mediterranean University, Northern Cyprus
Kansai Gaidai University, Japan
University of Glamorgan, Wales
