Scholarships for Study Abroad

This website is designed to help you explore scholarship opportunities to assist in paying for the cost of your study abroad program.  In addition to your existing CSB|SJU financial aid package, there may be additional scholarship monies to apply towards your study abroad experience. 

There are two different types of scholarships represented on this page.  Please follow the links for additional information. 

1. Scholarships offered through CSB|SJU specifically for study abroad participants. (Cooperative Scholarships)
2. Scholarships offered through outside providers specifically for study abroad participants. (External Scholarships)

Many of the scholarships listed above include extensive application and recommendation processes.  It is crucial to spend the necessary time on each application.  Do not wait until the last moment.  You may consider applying for a scholarship or fellowship and enlist the assistance and guidance of the Office for Competitive Fellowships and Awards.  This office can also assist in the search for post graduate international fellowships.

CSB|SJU Cooperative Scholarships for Study Abroad

The Sister Renée Domeier Scholarship for Spanish

• The scholarship amount varies from year to year. The amount will be divided among the top three recipients.
• Spanish majors enrolled at the College of Saint Benedict who will be juniors or seniors in Fall semester are eligible to apply for the Sister Renée Domeier Spanish Scholarship.
• Recipients will be chosen on the basis of scholarship, strength of academic purpose, and financial need (determined by consultation with the Financial Aid Office).
• For application details visit the Department of Hispanic Studies scholarship website.
• Deadline: End of March

The Otmar Drekonja German Cultural Studies Scholarship

• This scholarship was initiated by former students of Dr. Drekonja who are seeking in this way to celebrate and prolong his legacy of international education.
• Promising undergraduate students of Saint John’s University and the College of Saint Benedict who have demonstrated a commitment to German Studies in keeping with the enthusiasm of Otmar Drekonja are eligible to apply for this scholarship.
• Eligibility is restricted to those who have been admitted to the major in German and who will be juniors or seniors in the fall semester.
• For application details visit the MCL scholarship website.
• Deadline: End of March

The Dr. & Mrs. Joseph B. Gaida & Family Scholarship for French

• French majors enrolled at the College of Saint Benedict who will be juniors or seniors in the fall semester are eligible to apply for the Dr. and Mrs. Joseph B. Gaida and Family French Scholarship.
• Recipients will be chosen on the basis of scholarship, strength of academic purpose, and financial need (determined by consultation with the Financial Aid Office).
• For application details visit the MCL scholarship website.
• Deadline: End of March

Sister Telan Hu, OSB Scholarhip

• Established by Margaret Man-Hwa Wang in memory of her parents, Mr. Jung-Chun Wang and Mrs. Jui-Chin Liao Wang, who spent a lifetime supporting needy students around the island of Taiwan, this endowed scholarship also honors the three decades of dedicated service by S. Telan who developed CSB|SJU's Chinese Language program. She teaches Chinese language, literature and academic skills courses and makes exceptional contributions to the community through a wide range of service activities.
• The $1000 Scholarship will be given to a CSB/SJU student in Asian Studies with a concentration in Chinese and who demonstrate a strong commitment to service.
• Previous winners are strongly encouraged to apply. Though all students meeting the above criteria will be considered, students with financial need will be especially competitive. Preference is given to students from CSB.
• For application details visit the MCL scholarship website.
• Deadline: Mid April

JASSO Scholarship

• The JASSO scholarship is funded by the Japanese government to increase student exchange.  The money is given to Bunkyo Gakuin University to be awarded to CSB|SJU participants of the Japan program. 
• Typically 4-7 scholarships are awarded each year in the amount of 80,000 yen per month.
• Students will be given application information by their program provider during the early pre-departure orientation sessions.
• For more information visit the JASSO Website or contact the Office for Education Abroad or Asian Studies
• Deadline: Early April

Father Neal Lawrence OSB Travel Scholarship

• This scholarship honors the life and work of Fr. Neal Lawrence, OSB, who spent more than 45 years in Japan. In 1993 he was honored by the Emperor and the Government of Japan for his post-WWII reconstruction work in Okinawa and his efforts on behalf of world peace and understanding with its highest cultural award, “Order of the Rising Sun”. 
• The scholarship provides financial assistance to CSB/SJU students studying in Japan.
• For more information contact Asian Studies or the Office for Education Abroad 
• By applying to the Japan program, students are automatically eligible for this scholarship. Several awards are distributed each year.

The Sister Margretta Nathe for German Scholarship

• This scholarship has has been established to support the study of German at the College of St. Benedict.
• Eligibility for the scholarship is limited to students of CSB who have been admitted to (or at minimum, applied for) a major in German and who will be juniors or seniors in the fall semester.
• For application details visit the MCL scholarship website.
• Deadline: End of March

O.W. Perlmutter Scholarship

• Typically 5 to 7 scholarships are awarded each academic year based on academic merit and financial need to SJU students studying abroad. 
• A total of $3,000 will be awarded each year on behalf of the O.W. Perlmutter fund.
• Applicants should download and complete the application form. 
• For more information contact the Office for Education Abroad.
• Deadline: End of May

John T. Petters Foundation Scholarship

• Following his untimely death in 2004, John’s family, friends and business associates teamed up to fulfill John’s dream by creating the John T. Petters Foundation.
• The Petters Foundation has earmarked two awards specifically for CSB|SJU students participating in study abroad.   
• To be eligible, students must be studying abroad through a CSB/SJU program. Students must be U.S. citizens and have financial need. Preference is given to students who meet one (or more) of the following criteria:
  • Majoring in a field of business
  • E-Scholar participant
  • Intercultural Leadership, Education and Development Fellowship recipient
  • Pell Grant recipient
  • Students interested in studying in diverse countries
  • Students interested in study programs that emphasize cultural immersion
  • Students with diverse ethnic backgrounds
  • Students displaying accomplishments that indicate leadership, character, integrity, and motivation
  • Students with disabilities
• For more information visit the John T. Petters Foundation Website
• Deadline: Mid December (Fall semester) or Mid July (Spring semester)

External Scholarships for Study Abroad

Bridging Scholarships for Study in Japan

• The Association of Teachers of Japanese Bridging Project offers scholarships to American undergraduate students participating in study-abroad programs in Japan.
• Funding from private foundations and major U.S. corporations has made it possible for ATJ to award 100 scholarships annually to assist students with the travel and living expenses they will incur while studying abroad in Japan for a semester or an academic year.
• For more information visit the Bridging Scholarships for Study in Japan website
• Deadline: Early April (Fall semester) or Early October (Spring semester)

German Academic Exchange Service Scholarships (DAAD)

• The German Academic Exchange Service, or "DAAD" as it's known by its German acronym, provides support for over 70,000 people every year, making it the largest international exchange organization in the world. DAAD is a publicly-funded, self-governing membership organization of the higher education institutions in Germany.
• Highly qualified undergraduate students are invited to apply for scholarships funding study, senior thesis research and/or internships in Germany. The goal of this program is to support study abroad in Germany and at German universities.
• Preference will be given to students whose projects or programs are based at and organized by a German university. Scholarships are available either as part of an organized study abroad program or as part of an individual, student-designed study abroad semester or year.
• Open to current sophomores and juniors who will be juniors and seniors during their stay in Germany.
• For more information visit the German Academic Exchange Services Website
• Deadline: End of January

Gilman International Scholarship Program

• The Gilman International Scholarship Program offers grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies abroad. Such international study is intended to better prepare U.S. students to assume significant roles in an increasingly global economy and interdependent world.
• Open to all US citizen undergraduates who are receiving Pell Grants.
• For more information visit the Gilman website
• Deadline: Mid April (Fall semester) or Early October (Spring semester)

Mondale Scholarship

• The Japan America Society of Minnesota (JASM) will award the Mondale Scholarship to Minnesota undergraduate students enrolled in Minnesota colleges and universities who want to broaden their knowledge of Japan through a combination of study and travel.
• JASM will offer up to $3,000 in scholarships for the academic year.
• For more information visit the Mondale Scholarship website
• Deadline: Early June 

National Security Education Program (NSEP)

David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholarships

• NSEP Boren Scholarships offer a unique opportunity for U.S. undergraduates to study abroad. NSEP awards scholarships to American students for study of world regions critical to U.S. interests (including Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin American & the Caribbean, and the Middle East). The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.
• NSEP focuses on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security. It draws on a broad definition of national security, recognizing that the scope of national security has expanded to include not only the traditional concerns of protecting and promoting American well-being, but also the challenges of global society, including: sustainable development, environmental degradation, global disease and hunger, population growth and migration, and economic competitiveness.
• Boren Scholarships are intended to provide support to U.S. undergraduates who will pursue the study of languages and cultures currently underrepresented in study abroad and critical to U.S. national security.
• For more information visit the Boren website
• Deadline: Mid February

Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships

• The purpose of the Ambassadorial Scholarships program is to further international understanding and friendly relations among people of different countries. The program sponsors several types of scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students as well as for qualified professionals pursuing vocational studies.
• While abroad, scholars serve as ambassadors of goodwill to the people of the host country and give presentations about their homelands to Rotary clubs and other groups.
• Upon returning home, scholars share with Rotarians and others the experiences that led to greater understanding of their host countries.
• Deadline: Applicants should begin the process in November of the proceeding year by contacting their local Rotary Club.