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Scholarships and Discounts

Historically USAC provides more than $2 million in scholarships, grants and discounts annually. Scholarships are awarded three times a year to assist USAC students with their study abroad expenses. We have a variety of funding opportunities available for students enrolled in USAC programs who have a minimum GPA of 2.5 (please note that USAC scholarships are not available for students participating in any non-USAC international experiences). We also encourage students to research online for other financial aid and scholarships resources that are available to students studying abroad. If you have questions regarding scholarships, feel free to contact us at scholarships@usac.edu.

USAC Scholarship Deadlines

  • Winter/Spring 2024 Programs: October 1, 2023
  • Summer 2024 Programs: March 1, 2024
  • Fall/Yearlong 2024/25 Programs: May 1, 2024

No late applications can be accepted and if students need to make changes to their scholarship application after submitting, please contact scholarships@usac.edu.

Award results are typically communicated to students who applied for USAC scholarships 3-4 weeks after the scholarship application deadline for that term.

Applying for USAC Scholarships

How to Apply

  1. Apply to a USAC Study Abroad Program (if you have not already).
    • Please note that it can take three to five business days after submitting your application to receive access to your USAC Student Gateway Account.
  2. Log in to your USAC Student Gateway Account and complete the "Scholarship Application: Optional Form" in the "7+ Months Before Program Start" section under your documents tab.
    • Your scholarship application will be processed so you are considered for as many of the below USAC Scholarships for which you are eligible.
    • Scholarship information is subject to change. Please stay up to date on what we offer per term below.

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USAC General Scholarships

Regional and Term-Specific Scholarships

This scholarship is available during all applicable terms. Scholarships are available for each of the geographic regions with USAC programs (Africa/Middle East, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and Oceania). All degree-seeking students with a minimum 2.5 GPA are eligible.

Regional Scholarships

For Regional Scholarships, USAC programs are divided as follows:

  • Africa and Middle East: Israel, South Africa
  • Asia: India, China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand
  • Europe: Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, Scotland, Spain, Sweden
  • Latin America: Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, Uruguay
  • Oceania: Australia, New Zealand

Term-Specific Scholarships

  • January Session: A scholarship fund is available specific to students attending a January Session program. All degree-seeking students with a minimum 2.5 GPA are eligible.

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USAC Access Scholarships

As a non-profit, university-based organization, we are committed to providing students with affordable and accessible opportunities to study abroad. The following scholarships have been designed to positively benefit students from historically underrepresented backgrounds and to further increase the financial accessibility of our programs. Any degree-seeking student with a minimum 2.5 GPA may qualify for these scholarships, and they are available during all terms.

Access, Equity, and Inclusion Scholarship

This scholarship is for students who are considered underrepresented in study abroad. USAC defines “underrepresented” according to the following categories established by Diversity Abroad:

      • Ethnically/Racially Diverse
      • LGBTQIA+
      • Religious Diversity
      • Students with Disabilities
      • Non-traditional age students (25+)

USAC First Generation Student Scholarship

Any eligible student whose parents/guardians did not graduate from a 4-year college or university.

Community College Scholarship

Any student who is currently attending a community college is eligible for this scholarship.

Military Service Scholarship

Any U.S. Military Personnel (active or veteran status) and their dependents (child or spouse) are eligible for this scholarship.

Science, Technology, Math, and Engineering (STEM) Scholarship

All students with a declared STEM major or minor are eligible for this scholarship. STEM majors may come from a variety of academic disciplines but are generally referred to as degrees that confers a Bachelor of Science.

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USAC Grants and Funding Opportunities

Diversity and Inclusion Development (DID) Grant

This competitive grant opportunity was developed to enhance diversity-related initiatives for USAC and its affiliate universities. Grant applications must propose a project, activity, or event for underrepresented student populations at an affiliate university to either recruit or support students on a USAC study abroad program. The funding was created to make study abroad more accessible for first-generation, non-traditional, LGBTQIA+ students, as well as students with disabilities, ethnic or racial minority backgrounds, financial hardship, and other conditions.

Award amounts range from $500 to $1,500 and recipients are determined by the USAC CEO and Board of Directors. Affiliate university administrators may log in to Gateway and navigate to the Affiliate Resources section to download the detailed DID Grant Description Summary and DID Grant Application. Complete an application as early as August 25, 2023.

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USAC Program-Specific Scholarships

The Lin Yuejun Lang Asia Scholarship (Asia - Summer)

The LinYL Foundation was created by five siblings: Cisco, Daniel, Becky, Vana, and Tony Lang. In 2020, they established their Foundation to honor their mother, 林月君 Lín Yuèjūn, by supporting education, as she supported them. This Foundation has since founded the Lin Yuejun Lang Asia Scholarship, which helps aid diverse students across the U.S. interested in studying abroad. The Foundation chose to partner with USAC because it aligns with the vision and values of making study abroad both affordable and centered around culturally-authentic academic experiences. Furthermore, Daniel is an alumnus of the summer 2017 USAC Shanghai program. Vana also intends to study abroad with USAC in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

The LinYL board has indicated they wish students to receive scholarships based on numbers of significance within Chinese numerology, so students will be awarded scholarships with the numbers 6 or 8 included in the award amount.

Criteria:

  • This scholarship is available for Summer students with a minimum 2.5 GPA.
  • Recipients shall be students enrolled in a USAC in-person Asia program.
  • Preference will be given to student who are enrolled in a USAC program located in China.

Dr. Marianne Cooley Study Abroad Scholarship (China)

Dr. Marianne Cooley is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Houston who has served as a USAC Visiting Professor on both the Chengdu and Shanghai, China programs. Degree-seeking students with a minimum 2.5 GPA who participate in a USAC China program are eligible for this scholarship, which is awarded each semester. Preference will be given to yearlong students.

University of Bristol Scholarship (Bristol, England)

The University of Bristol, USAC's longtime partner in hosting students in England, is offering scholarships to help USAC students make their dreams of studying in England come true. Degree-seeking students with a minimum 3.0 GPA who will study at the University of Bristol for a semester or year are eligible, and preference will be given to First-Generation and high financial need students. The award is intended to be used towards onsite living costs such as housing and transportation.

London Met Diversity Scholarship (London, England)

USAC's partner university, London Metropolitan, is offering a number of diversity scholarships to USAC semester and yearlong London Metropolitan students who are able to demonstrate that they represent a background of underrepresentation.

Interested students will be asked to submit a 500-word essay, showing how they represent diversity in study abroad, evidence of commitment to their program of study, an explanation of how they will engage with and contribute to the London Met community, and how the award will benefit them financially. Each scholarship will be a reduction of £1,000 on semester tuition fees (USAC will deduct that amount in USD from the awardee’s program fee).

Frank and Thu Triplett Study Abroad Scholarship (France)

Dr. Frank Triplett is a Professor Emeritus at the University of Mount Union who served as a USAC Visiting Professor in Pau, France on three separate occasions. Degree-seeking students with a minimum 2.5 GPA attending the Lyon or Pau, France programs are eligible for this scholarship, which will be awarded to semester and yearlong students. Preference will be given to students with high financial need.

Discover Middle East Scholarship (Haifa, Israel)

Jade Wright, USAC Haifa Summer 2013 and Fall 2013 alumnus, created this scholarship to allow more students to experience firsthand the challenges and growth of studying abroad in a non-traditional region that is often unfamiliar to and misunderstood by those in the U.S. Degree-seeking students with a minimum 3.0 GPA attending the Haifa, Israel program are eligible for this scholarship, which will be awarded each summer, fall, and spring semester. Preference will be given to students with little to no previous background and exposure to the Middle East.

Janice Proctor Memorial Scholarship (Fall - Torino, Italy; Spring - Thailand)

Colin Proctor, USAC Torino alumnus of Fall 2010, founded this scholarship with his sister, Megan Proctor, in memory of their late mother, who encouraged and supported their desires to study abroad. Colin majored in Accounting and Finance at the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR), and his time in Torino and traveling throughout Europe inspired him to continue traveling and pursuing his goals after graduation. He has traveled to more than 50 countries and is a Certified Public Accountant and entrepreneur. Megan studied abroad in Singapore while pursuing her law degree at the University of British Columbia and has visited more than 30 countries. Both Colin and Megan continue to use the skills they learned abroad in their personal and professional lives.

  • Fall eligibility: Degree-seeking students participating in the Torino, Italy program. Preference will be given to students with high financial need.
  • Spring eligibility: Degree-seeking students participating in a Thailand program who are declared majors or minors in political science, legal studies, pre-law, nursing, and/or pre-nursing. Preference will be given to students with high financial need.

Chonnam National University Merit Scholarship (Gwangju, Korea)

USAC’s partner university in Gwangju, Korea, Chonnam National University (CNU), is offering a merit-based scholarship to fall or spring semester incoming exchange/visiting students.  The scholarship covers dormitory and meal plan expenses on-site.

 Students must have a minimum 3.5 GPA to be eligible for this scholarship.  There is no additional application as recipients are selected by the CNU Office of International Affairs based on information submitted during the host university application process, such as transcripts, self-introduction essay, and study plan.  Selected recipients will be contacted about one month prior to the program start date.

Massey University Scholarship (New Zealand)

Massey University, USAC's longtime partner in hosting students in New Zealand, is offering scholarships to help USAC students make their dreams of studying in New Zealand come true. Degree-seeking students with a minimum 2.75 GPA who will study at any of Massey's campus locations in New Zealand—Palmerston North, Auckland, or Wellington—are eligible. Students wishing to be considered for Massey University scholarships for USAC students need to complete the USAC Scholarship Application.

Félix Menchacatorre Memorial Scholarship (San Sebastián or Bilbao/Getxo, Spain)

Dr. Félix Menchacatorre taught on and directed the Spain programs for 25 years, building programs in San Sebastián, Bilbao/Getxo, Madrid, and Alicante. Additionally, he was instrumental in developing other programs and shaping what USAC is today. The memorial scholarship is available each semester to degree-seeking students with a minimum 2.75 GPA attending the San Sebastián or Bilbao/Getxo program, and preference is given to yearlong students.

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USAC/University of Nevada, Reno Scholarships

Frances C. and William P. Smallwood Foundation Scholarship

This scholarship funded by the Frances C. and William P. Smallwood Foundation and is available to degree-seeking University of Nevada, Reno students who hold a minimum 3.0 GPA, graduated from a Carson City, Douglas, or Washoe County high school, are first-generation and/or demonstrate high financial need (EFC under $8,000), and have completed their MyNevada General Scholarship Application by Feb. 1.

This award is available to semester and yearlong students.

First Gen NV

This scholarship is available to current UNR TRiO Scholars and current/former UNR First in the Pack participants who are degree-seeking at the University of Nevada, Reno and have a minimum 3.0 GPA

This award is available to semester and yearlong students.

R.J. Simcoe Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was created in memory of Richard John "R.J." Simcoe. R.J. was a student at the University of Nevada, Reno who studied in San Sebastián. Degree-seeking University of Nevada, Reno students who are Nevada residents, hold a minimum 2.75 GPA, and are attending any Spain program are eligible. Eligible students must also have completed their MyNevada General Scholarship Application by Feb. 1.

This award is available to semester and yearlong students.

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USAC Discounts

Returning/Extending Student Discount

Students who complete a USAC semester/year program abroad are eligible for a $500 discount towards a future semester/year Specialty Program or $300 discount for a future on-site summer/January Specialty Program. Students who complete a USAC summer or January program are eligible for $300 discount towards a future on-site semester/year Specialty Program or $100 discount for another summer or January Specialty Program.

This discount may not be applied towards our online courses or virtual internship programs. However, students who complete a USAC online course or virtual internship are eligible for a $300 program fee credit towards a future Semester Specialty Program abroad or a $100 program fee credit towards a future Summer Specialty Program abroad.

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