The Institute for International Education has launched a $400,000 scholarship fund to support 160 students to study abroad through its Generation Study Abroad initiative to double the number of US students studying abroad by 2019.
Twenty six universities and colleges will receive $7,500 in funding put forward by IIE and its partners, which they will match from their own budgets.
26 universities and colleges will receive in funding to provide scholarships of $2,500 to at least six students each
They will use this to provide scholarships of $2,500 to at least six students each.
Campuses that applied to take part in the scholarship programme were selected based on the progress they have made towards their Generation Study Abroad commitments to increase outbound student mobility.
In line with IIE’s goal to promote diversity in education abroad, among the winning campuses are several minority-serving institutions, historically black colleges and community colleges.
“The IIE Generation Study Abroad Scholarships will give more students – and more underrepresented students – the opportunity to gain international experience, which is one of the most important components of a 21st-century education,” commented IIE president and CEO Allan Goodman.
Of the 26 recipient institutions, 16 will receive funding for study abroad in any location, backed by IIE, STA Travel and individual donors.
Scholarships on the remaining 10 campuses will be designated Ireland-IIE Generation Study Abroad Scholarship grants to support study abroad in Ireland, funded by the Irish government.
This Irish Ministry for Education and Skills joined Generation Study Abroad as a lead partner in February 2015, providing $100,000 for the initiative.
All of the grants can be put towards tuition fees and other costs associated with study abroad, including books, travel, service learning and internships abroad between summer 2015 and spring 2016.
There are now 630 ‘commitment partners’ – education institutions, associations, governments and other organisations that have pledged specific actions to increase the number of US students travelling overseas – taking part in Generation Study Abroad, which aims to double outbound students from 300,000 to 600,000.
Efforts to up outbound numbers at different institutions so far include establishing scholarships, launching a pre-study abroad course for first year students and using air miles accrued by staff to support student travel.
