Top 20 Study Abroad Scholarships for USA Citizens in 2027 | Fully Funded & Partial Opportunities

Studying abroad offers American students the opportunity to gain international experience, develop cross-cultural skills, and build a global professional network. To help make overseas education more affordable, the U.S. Government, universities, and private organizations offer a wide range of scholarships for undergraduate, graduate, and research students.

This guide highlights the Top 20 Study Abroad Scholarships for USA Citizens in 2027, along with their official application websites.

1. Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

The Gilman Scholarship, funded by the U.S. Department of State, supports American undergraduate students with financial need who wish to study or intern abroad.

Benefits

• Awards up to US$5,000
• Additional funding for critical language study

Official Website

https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/

2. Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program

A fully funded overseas language immersion program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State.

Benefits

• Tuition
• Airfare
• Accommodation
• Meals
• Cultural activities

Official Website

https://clscholarship.org/

3. Boren Scholarships

Supports undergraduate students studying languages and regions important to U.S. national interests.

Benefits

• Up to US$25,000

Official Website

https://www.borenawards.org/

4. Boren Fellowships

Funding for U.S. graduate students pursuing overseas language and international studies.

Official Website

https://www.borenawards.org/

5. Fulbright U.S. Student Program

One of the world’s most prestigious exchange programs for graduating seniors, graduate students, and young professionals.

Benefits

• Tuition (where applicable)
• Living stipend
• Travel support
• Health benefits

Official Website

https://us.fulbrightonline.org/

6. Fund for Education Abroad (FEA)

Scholarships for U.S. students with financial need participating in study abroad programs.

Official Website

https://fundforeducationabroad.org/

7. Freeman Awards for Study in Asia (Freeman-ASIA)

Supports undergraduate students studying in East or Southeast Asia.

Official Website

https://www.iie.org/programs/freeman-asia

8. DAAD RISE Germany

Research internships in Germany for undergraduate students in science and engineering.

Official Website

https://www.daad.de/rise/en/

9. DAAD Study Scholarships

Funding for graduate study and research in Germany.

Official Website

https://www.daad.org/

10. Erasmus Mundus Joint Master’s Scholarships

Fully funded master’s scholarships at multiple European universities.

Benefits

• Full tuition
• Monthly stipend
• Travel allowance
• Insurance

Official Website

https://erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu/

11. Marshall Scholarships

Supports outstanding U.S. students pursuing graduate degrees in the United Kingdom.

Official Website

https://www.marshallscholarship.org/

12. Rhodes Scholarship

A prestigious scholarship for postgraduate study at the University of Oxford.

Official Website

https://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/scholarships/

13. Gates Cambridge Scholarship

Fully funded scholarships for postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge.

Official Website

https://www.gatescambridge.org/

14. Churchill Scholarship

Supports graduate study in science, engineering, and mathematics at the University of Cambridge.

Official Website

https://www.churchillscholarship.org/

15. Schwarzman Scholars

A fully funded one-year master’s programme at Tsinghua University in China focused on leadership and global affairs.

Official Website

https://www.schwarzmanscholars.org/

16. Yenching Academy Scholarship

Fully funded master’s scholarship at Peking University.

Official Website

https://yenchingacademy.pku.edu.cn/

17. Rotary Global Grants

Funding for graduate-level study in one of Rotary’s areas of focus.

Official Website

https://my.rotary.org/en/take-action/apply-grants/global-grants

18. National Security Education Program (NSEP)

Supports language and international education through the Boren Awards.

Official Website

https://www.nsep.gov/

19. American Scandinavian Foundation Fellowships

Supports study and research in Nordic countries.

Official Website

https://www.amscan.org/

20. Fulbright-Fogarty Fellowships in Public Health

Supports U.S. students conducting public health research abroad.

Official Website

https://fulbrightscholars.org/

Why Study Abroad?

Studying abroad offers numerous advantages:

• Global academic experience.
• Cross-cultural communication skills.
• International networking opportunities.
• Foreign language development.
• Research and internship experience.
• Increased career competitiveness.
• Personal growth and leadership development.

Tips for Winning Study Abroad Scholarships

• Apply well before the deadline.
• Maintain strong academic performance.
• Demonstrate leadership and community involvement.
• Write a compelling personal statement.
• Obtain excellent recommendation letters.
• Clearly explain how studying abroad aligns with your academic and career goals.
• Carefully review eligibility requirements on the official scholarship websites.

Studying abroad can be a transformative experience, and numerous scholarship programmes help make it financially accessible for U.S. citizens. Prestigious opportunities such as the Gilman Scholarship, Fulbright U.S. Student Program, Boren Awards, Critical Language Scholarship, Marshall Scholarship, Rhodes Scholarship, Gates Cambridge Scholarship, and Schwarzman Scholars provide outstanding support for academic and professional development around the world. Whether you are pursuing undergraduate studies, graduate education, research, or language immersion, these scholarships can help turn your international education goals into reality. Always visit the official scholarship websites for the latest eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and submission procedures before applying.