Financial Aid
Loans, Scholarships, Fellowships, and Grants
for Study Abroad in Russia and other Former Soviet States
The following list of every scholarship, aid, and grant program that we know of that can help fund study abroad to Russia. that have come to the attention of SRAS mostly from students who have used them to study with us. Most are specifically for US citizens. If you have information on a financial aid source that is not listed here or would like to comment on those listed, please contact us.
- For a list of all funding cycles currently open - click here.
I. Directly Applicable to Study Abroad Programs
The following resources are generally open to a wide range of study abroad programs (including those from SRAS) and may be directly applied to overseas study, professional development, research, and/or travel.
Boren Scholarships and Fellowships
Boren Scholarships and Fellowships provide funding for US undergraduate and graduate students to add international and language components in geographic areas, languages, and fields of study critical to U.S. interests and underrepresented in study abroad. This is part of the National Security Education Program.
Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships (FLAS)
FLAS provides academic year and summer fellowships to institutions of higher education to assist meritorious undergraduate and graduate students of foreign languages and related area or international studies. Check with your financial aid office to see if your institution is participating.
Gilman International Scholarship Program
Gilman Scholarships offer grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students to pursue academic studies abroad. Those students currently receiving federal Pell Grant funding at 2-year or 4-year colleges or universities are eligible to apply.
Fulbright
Fulbright awards several types of grants to applicants who hold a BA, MA, or the equivalent of those degrees (but not a Ph.D.). Those grants most applicable to SRAS programs are the Full Grant for Study/Research and the Critical Language Enhancement Award. See also listings at The Fulbright Program in Russia.
IREX
IREX is an international nonprofit organization providing leadership and innovative programs to improve the quality of education, strengthen independent media, and foster pluralistic civil society development. It offers several programs for those interested in Russia.
GI Bill
The GI Bill can be used for degree study (and only degree study) in Russia at approved institutions. Preparatory language studies, if needed for entry into degree studies in Russia, are not eligible for coverage with the GI Bill.
Whitaker International Fellows and Scholars
Whitaker Fellows are biomedical engineers (or bioengineers, which is considered synonymous) ranging from graduating seniors to those conducting doctoral studies. Whitaker Scholars are biomedical engineers who have/will have a PhD by the beginning date of their awards.
II. Program-Specific Scholarships and Aid
The following short list of resources are available to help fund specific programs or with specific organizations.
Home and Abroad
The SRAS Home and Abroad Program offers $10,000 to students who want to build translation, writing, research, and language skills at home and abroad. The scholarship may be applied to any SRAS program held in Irkutsk or Vladivostok lasting a full academic year. A rigorous internship component will be included with the program.
Home and Abroad: Creative
SRAS's Home and Abroad: Creative offers $7,000 to students who want to build writing, research, art, and language skills at home and abroad.
Charles Braver Language Exploration Grants
This SRAS-specific grant ranges from $500 to $1000 and is open to students who have completed two semesters of Russian, Chinese, or any Central Asian language.
SRAS Research Grants
This SRAS-specific grant offers students planning to do research while on a regular SRAS program $1000 to help with their endeavours.
Acting: Stanislavsky Scholarship
As part of its Acting in Russia program, SRAS offers three $750 scholarships each summer for actors study their art in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Translation: The Reset Grant
SRAS's Translate Abroad Program is a practical academic program offering intensive Russian lessons and professional, hands-on translation experience. In a small effort to improve the quality of the world's translations, SRAS is offering one $500 grant each semester to help young translators go abroad to study their craft.
NGO Scholarship Program
This program provides discounted internship placements to qualified students in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Bishkek.
SRAS Alumni Rewards and Student Initiatives
SRAS rewards alumni who return to Russia and/or refer students to SRAS! We also offer awards to students who have served active military duty or who receive Boren, FLAS, or Gilman scholarships. We also offer discounts to students who sign up together or who can offer their talents to helping SRAS achieve its goals!
Intensive Summer Language Institutes
Critical Language Scholarships (CLS) provide group-based summer intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences for eight to ten weeks.
The Alfa Fellowship Program
The Alfa Fellowship Program is a high-level professional development exchange program placing qualified young professionals in work assignments at leading organizations in Russia in the fields of business, economics, journalism, law, and public policy.
American Councils Research Grants
American Councils administers the Title VIII grants from the US government which host scholars heading to a range of Eurasian countries. The funds are then applicable to programs administered by American Councils.
III. University-Supported Programs Only
The following sources of financial aid are applicable only to those students who will be studying abroad under a program approved and accredited by their home university. Most universities will consider accrediting study abroad programs on an as-needed basis. Check with your study abroad or academic advisor to see how this might be possible. Universities charge for this, usually substantially increasing the cost of studying abroad. However, this arrangement opens more doors for funding.
Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation
Woodrow Wilson Fellowships support the development of future leaders at a variety of career stages in several critical fields.
SMART Grants
Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent (SMART) Grants are available to upperclassmen who are eligible for the Federal Pell Grant and who are majoring in physical, life, or computer sciences, mathematics, technology, engineering or a critical foreign language.
Federal Student Aid (FSA)
There are many other types of Federal Student Aid, including Pell Grants, FSEOG, Perkins Loans, PLUS Loans, the GI Bill, and Stafford Loans. Read through the Federal Guide to Financial Aid to familiarize yourself with these and more.
Study Abroad Loans
Study Abroad Loans is a private company that also offers loans to students enrolled in a US institution at least half time.
International Education Financial Aid
The IEFA is a database of financial aid sources for study abroad, including loans from private companies.
VI. Taxes, Etc.
WHAT ABOUT TAXES?
Generally, scholarships and grants used by degree students for tuition, fees, or books is tax free. However, if the money is used for travel or non-degree activities, it is taxable. See the IRS site for full info.
NOTES ON OTHER SOURCES:
If you have others to recommend, please contact us. If you have had experience with any of the above and would like to share that experience with us, please contact us.
There are many other private loan companies, scholarship and financial aid search engines, and books on the topic that can help you with funding your study abroad experience. However, make sure you check for publication/last update dates before you start spending hours on the information you find, or before you pay for a book or a membership fee. There are also scams out there, companies that will offer you loans, but with hidden charges and even several "scholarship scams," companies and people that charge the application fees for scholarships, but don't actually give scholarships. Talk about your options with your advisor, never sign up for or pay for something that looks less than professional.
2011-09-23 - The SRAS Home and Abroad: Creative Program
2011-06-03 - The Charles Braver Language Exploration Grant
2011-04-23 - The SRAS Home and Abroad Program
2010-11-28 - Alumni Rewards and Student Incentives
2010-08-24 - SRAS Research Abroad Grants
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