SIT Study Abroad offers a range of need-based scholarships and grants to support students in our semester and summer programs. These scholarships can range from $500 to $5,000 for semester programs and $500 to $3,000 for summer programs. All students accepted into an SIT Study Abroad program are eligible to apply for these scholarships.
SIT Study Abroad Programs
Here is a list of some of the scholarships and grants available to students applying to SIT Study Abroad programs:
SIT Pell Grant Match Award
Students who receive a Federal Pell Grant are eligible for additional financial support through our Pell Grant Match program. This program matches up to $2,500 for semester students and up to $1,000 for summer students. This helps make international learning experiences accessible to students with financial need.
SEO Scholars Award
SEO Scholars (Students for Educational Opportunity) will receive a $2,000 award for both semester and summer SIT Study Abroad programs.
The Experiment in International Living Alumni Scholarship
Experiment alumni can receive a $1,000 scholarship for semester programs and $500 for summer programs. Additionally, students with immediate family members who have participated in an Experiment in International Living or SIT Study Abroad program are eligible for a $400 scholarship.
Hispanic-Serving Scholarships
Students enrolled at Hispanic-serving institutions, including those affiliated with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), and who demonstrate financial need, will receive a $3,000 scholarship for a semester program or $2,000 for a summer program.
HBCU Scholarships
Students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) who show financial need are eligible for a $2,000 scholarship for a semester program or $1,500 for a summer program.
SIT Bonner Scholar Award
For students in the Bonner Scholars program, SIT offers $2,500 for semester programs and $1,000 for summer programs, upon confirmation from the student’s Bonner mentor.
SIT Boren Scholar Award
Students participating in the Boren National Security Education Program (NSEP), which focuses on study abroad in regions critical to U.S. interests, can receive a $1,000 scholarship with confirmation of their Boren funding.
Big 10 Academic Alliance Scholarship
Students enrolled at Big 10 universities who demonstrate financial need are eligible for a $1,500 scholarship for semester programs or a $750 scholarship for summer programs.
SIT Fund
This fund supports students with financial need who enroll in any SIT Study Abroad program, helping to expand access to study abroad experiences.
SIT Study Abroad Alumni Scholarship
Alumni of SIT Study Abroad programs automatically qualify for a scholarship of $1,000 for a fall or spring semester or $500 for a full-term international summer program when participating in a second SIT program.
Other Opportunities
In addition to scholarships, students who are veterans of the U.S. military, recipients of Federal Pell Grants, or SEO Scholars may qualify for a fee waiver for their application and/or a deposit deferral until the final bill is due.
Students who have their costs covered by their school’s financial aid can defer their deposit for fall and spring programs (note that this deferral is not available for summer programs).
Additionally, SIT may occasionally offer special scholarships for specific programs or students from select universities. These funding opportunities will be communicated directly to eligible students.
Eligibility for SIT Full-term Fall, Spring, and Summer Programs
SIT Study Abroad invites applications from undergraduate students who:
Are enrolled at an accredited college or university.
- Have completed at least one year of college-level coursework by the time of application (preferably two years for IHP/Comparative programs). Note: For full-length summer programs, only one semester of college coursework is required.
- Maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher.
- Meet the specific prerequisites for the programs they are applying to. Prerequisite details are available on the program-specific web pages.
SIT also welcomes students who have graduated from an accredited college or university in the spring term immediately before participating in summer programs.
** SIT programs focus on field-based, experiential learning and take a holistic approach to application review. To reduce barriers related to standardized test scores and encourage inclusivity, the admissions committee invites students in good academic standing (but with a GPA below the recommended minimum) to submit a statement of context along with their official transcripts.
Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive a transcript awarding undergraduate credit. Courses are graded with letter grades and cannot be taken as Pass/No Pass. The official transcript will be sent to the student’s home college or university, or, if the student is no longer enrolled, to the recipient they specify in their application.
SIT Study Abroad Scholarship FAQ
Do I need to be admitted to a program at SIT for my scholarship application to be reviewed?
No, you do not need to be admitted to an SIT program for your scholarship application to be reviewed. However, we must receive a completed Financial Assessment Form from your home school’s financial aid office.
Does SIT offer merit-based scholarships?
No, SIT does not offer merit-based scholarships. We focus on making international education accessible to all students through need-based scholarships. Our goal is to support students from diverse backgrounds in experiencing transformative, intercultural education.
When is my scholarship application complete?
Your scholarship application is complete when you:
- Indicate “Yes” that you’re interested in applying for an SIT scholarship in the program application.
- Provide the name and email address of a financial aid officer at your home institution (or the general financial aid office email). The Financial Assessment Form will be sent to them electronically, and they must complete it with information about your financial aid.
- Electronically sign and date the FERPA release included in the application.
To ensure we can review your scholarship application, we must receive the completed Financial Assessment Form from your home school’s financial aid office. If you do not hear back about your scholarship eligibility before the billing due date, it may be because your application is incomplete or we have not received the form.
How long does it take to review my scholarship application?
Typically, completed scholarship applications are reviewed within two weeks by our Scholarship Committee. Please note, we can only review your application once we have received the Financial Assessment Form from your home school’s financial aid office.
Can I check the status of my scholarship application in the Student Portal?
Currently, you cannot check the status of your scholarship application in the Student Portal.
I’m a Pell Grant recipient. Do I still need to apply for a scholarship?
Yes. Please follow the instructions for applying for SIT Study Abroad scholarships as outlined on our website.
My home school reviews all accepted SIT students for SIT special institutional scholarships. Do I still need to apply for an SIT scholarship?
It depends on your home school’s process. If your school has an SIT special institutional scholarship, contact your study abroad or international programs office to confirm their recommended process.
See also: Bright Futures Scholarship
How much is a typical scholarship?
Typical scholarship amounts range from $500 to $5,000 for semester students and $500 to $3,000 for summer programs. For more details, visit our Available Scholarships & Grants webpage.
Is the scholarship application process different if I’m applying to a summer program?
The process is the same for summer programs. However, your institutional or federal financial aid may not apply to summer programs. Contact your home institution’s financial aid office for more information.
What steps do I need to take to accept my SIT scholarship?
Once awarded, your SIT scholarship will automatically be applied to your program balance. No additional steps are required to accept the scholarship.
What is the scholarship application deadline?
The application deadlines vary by term:
- April 1: Summer Programs
- May 15: Fall Programs
- November 1: Spring Programs
Can I request a deposit fee deferral for my program?
Maybe. Accepted students may request a deposit fee deferral by submitting a completed Deposit Deferral Form. To be eligible for a deferral, you must have applied for scholarship aid, and we must have received the completed Financial Assessment Form from your home school. Note that deposit deferrals are only available for fall and spring programs, not summer programs.
