Financial Aid
Loans, Scholarships, Fellowships, and Grants
for Study Abroad in and Study of Russia and other Former Soviet States
The following is a list of every scholarship, aid, and grant program that we know of that can help fund study abroad to Russia and other former Soviet states. 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.
If you are looking for funding for educators, click here!
How can you earn credit towards your degree while studying abroad? Click here!
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Study Abroad
in Russia!
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I. SRAS-Specific Scholarships and Aid
The following short list of resources are available to help fund study abroad specifically through SRAS.
Home and Abroad: Translate
SRAS's Home and Abroad: Translate offers $10,000 to future translators who want to build translation, writing, research, and language skills at home and abroad. A rigorous internship component will be included with the program.
Next Deadline: Apr 30, 2013.
Home and Abroad: Report
SRAS's Home and Abroad: Report offers $10,000 to budding journalists who want to build writing, research, language, and journalism skills at home and abroad. A rigorous internship component will be included with the program.
Deadline: Apr 30, 2013.
Home and Abroad: Art
SRAS's Home and Abroad: Art offers $7,000 to students who want to build writing, research, art, and language skills at home and abroad. A rigorous internship component will be included with the program.
Deadline: Oct 15, 2013.
The Eurasia Grant
Combine one semester of Policy and Conflict in the Post-Soviet Space with a fall or spring semester of Central Asian Studies and receive a $1000 international relations grant from SRAS.
Deadline for Fall, 2013: May 15, 2013
Deadline for Spring, 2013: Oct 15, 2013
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.
Deadline for Fall, 2013: May 15, 2013
Deadline for Spring, 2014: Oct 15, 2013
Deadline for Summer, 2014: Mar 15, 2014
Art Grant
SRAS offers a $500 ART GRANT for its Arts and Museums in Russia Program.
Next Deadline: April 15, 2013
SRAS Research Grants
This SRAS grant offers students planning to do research while on a regular SRAS program $1000 to help with their endeavours.
Next Deadline: May 15, 2013
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Study Abroad
in Eurasia!
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NGO Scholarship Program
This program provides $750 to offset the cost of internship placements to qualified students interested in interning with NGOs in Ukraine, Kyrgyzstan, or Russia while on a regular SRAS program.
Deadline for Fall, 2013: May 15, 2013
Deadline for Spring, 2014: Oct 15, 2013
Deadline for Summer, 2014: Mar 15, 2014
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!
Vestnik: The Journal of Russian and Asian Studies Jury Award
Each issue of Vestnik: The Journal of Russian and Asian Studies awards $200 to the best original student research published in that issue!
Deadline: May 31, 2013
II. 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 unique funding opportunities for US undergraduate and graduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests, and underrepresented in study abroad, including Eurasia. This is part of the National Security Education Program.
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Study Abroad
in Russia!
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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 US citizen undergraduate to pursue academic studies abroad. 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 Critical Language Enhancement Award and the Full Grant (which are broken down by country - see those for Russia, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan). See also listings at The Fulbright Program in Russia.
IREX
IREX is an international nonprofit organization providing thought leadership and innovative programs to promote positive lasting change globally. Several programs are available for those interested in Russia and Eurasia.
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. SRAS partner institutions MGIMO and SPGU are included in the approved institution list.
Eurasia Program
The Eurasia Program offers fellowship support which varies from year to year - usually focused on supporting doctoral research.
Karabakh Foundation
This foundations offers fellowships that award a stipend and travel support as well as assistance in using archives, libraries and arranging meetings for scholars visiting Azerbaijan (for up to three weeks).
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Study Abroad
in Russia!
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Whitaker International Fellows and Scholars
The Whitaker International Program sends emerging leaders in US biomedical engineering (or bioengineering) overseas to undertake a self-designed project that will enhance their careers within the field.
East European Studies Program
Provides funds from the State Department to support research that will contribute to a better understanding of the region and policy related to it.
Malevich Society Grants
Malevich Society awards grants to encourage research, writing, and other activities relating to the history and memory of Russian artist Kazimir Malevich. Applications due each year before September 30.
III. Other Program-Specific Scholarships and Aid
These scholarships can be applied to specific programs offered by organizations other than SRAS.
Intensive Summer Language Institutes
The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program offers fully-funded summer language institutes for US university students and is sponsored by the US Department of State.
The Alfa Fellowship Program
The Alfa Fellowship Program placing accomplished young American and British professionals in work assignments at leading organizations in Russia in the fields of business, economics, journalism, law, public policy and related areas.
The Higher School of Economics Scholarships
The HSE Scholarship offers a number of highly talented prospective students the opportunity to pursue a full degree program (BA, MA, PhD levels) at the National Research University – Higher School of Economics.
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Study Abroad
in Russia!
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National Security Language Initiative for Youth
NSLI-Y offers funding for highschool students aged 15-18 to study abroad in Russia, Central Asia, and other locations.
OSCE Master of Arts in Politics and Security Program
While places available for Americans are limited (applicants from Central Asia preferred), they are available and come with full tuition, housing allowance, monthly stipend, and paid insurance.
Dr. Chan Young Bang Fellowship for Global Education
This fellowship funds five graduate positions at KIMEP in Kazakhstan tuition-free.
ISS Scholarships
These offer tuition-free summer study at KIMEP in Kazakhstan.
The Russian Presidential Academy Scholarships
The academy offers several scholarships for students interested in earning a two-year MBA in Global Finance, International Business, Project Management, or Change Management.
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.
IV. 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, academic advisor, and/or SRAS 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.
The Foundation for Global Scholars
Several awards between $500 and $2500 are given annually.
The Global Studies Grant
This grant annually provides a supplemental grant of $1000 for American students who already are studying abroad under the auspices of an official study abroad program conducted by an accredited academic institution.
Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad
The fraternity Phi Kappa Phi offers $1000 study abroad grants. Any student of a university with a Phi Kappa Phi chapter is elligible (you needn't be a member of the fraternity to apply).
Global Scientists and Engineers
The National Science Foundation offers funds for international research and study to undergrads, grad students and doctoral students in science and engineering fields.
The Thomas J. Watson Fellowship
These fellowships offer several $25,000 awards to recent college grads to spend a year perusing independent, purposeful travel in international settings new to them. Your university must be a participating institution and must nominate you first.
The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship
These fellowships, which are available to Junior-year undergraduates and those applying to Master's programs seek to recruit talented students in academic programs relevant to international affairs, political and economic analysis, administration, management, and science policy.
Rotary District Grants
District grants can be used to sponsor university students studying any subject, either locally or abroad. In addition, the scholarship may cover any length of time — from a six-week language training program to a year or more of university study.
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.
TEACH Grants
The Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education Grant provides up to $16,000 in upfront tuition assistance to students who commit to become foreign language teachers.
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.
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Study Abroad
in Eurasia!
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The Ohio State University's Project Aspire
This program awards $30,000 to language majors interested in becoming teachers.
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.
V. Taxes, Etc.
Generally, scholarships and grants used by degree students for tuition, fees, or books are 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. The field is rapidly changing as the US congress is currently cutting funds for education and particularly international education. 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.
Find Out More!
History of Russian Holidays
Internships in Russia
Health and Safety in Russia
The SRAS Newsletter
The SRAS Library on Russia
Journal for Students
More Free Resources!
Questions or comments?
Contact the editor.
2013-04-25 - The Charles Braver Language Exploration Grant
2013-01-19 - Home and Abroad: Art
2012-11-07 - Home and Abroad: Report
2012-10-12 - Home and Abroad: Translate
2010-11-28 - Alumni Rewards and Student Incentives
2010-08-24 - SRAS Research Abroad Grants
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