Paying for Study Abroad

FIT Global Scholar Award Program

The FIT Global Scholar Award Program provides funds to supplement the costs of studying abroad.

Eligibility

• open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents
• can be used for any FIT Study Abroad program for which the student receives at least 12 academic credits towards their degree per semester OR a minimum of 2 credits for winter study

Winter: one (1) award of $4,500 for eligible graduates of NYC high schools; up to four (4) awards of $3,500 for all eligible students

Spring: up to three (3) awards of $7,500 for eligible graduates of NYC high schools; up to six (6) awards of $5,500 for all eligible students

Summer: up to four (4) awards of $4,500 for eligible graduates of NYC high schools; up to ten (10) awards of $3,500 for all eligible students

Fall and Academic Year: up to four (4) awards of $7,500 for eligible graduates of NYC high schools; up to ten (10) awards of $5,500 for all eligible students 

FIT in Italy Awards

One (1) $3,000 award per semester (fall and spring) will be given to FIT in Italy students who demonstrate need.

Gladys Marcus International Awards

One (1) award at $1,300 will be given to an FIT student for semester study and one (1) award at $1,000 will be give to an FIT student for summer study.

Latin America Program Awards

Five (5) awards of $3500 will be given to FIT students who participate in FIT faculty-led short-term programs in Latin America.

EOP Awards

Two (2) awards of $7500 will be given to FIT EOP students participating in semester or AY-long programs. Two (2) awards of $3500 will be given to FIT EOP students participating in short-term programs. 

Back to top

American University of Paris (AUP) 

A $6000 award is given to one (1) qualified applicant per semester, contingent on funding.

American University of Rome (AUR) 

A $3000 award is given to one (1) qualified applicant per semester, contingent on funding.

Lorenzo de' Medici (LdM)

An award for 50% of LdM tuition rates (a discount of ~$3,500) is given to qualified applicants each semester, contingent on funding. The number of LdM tuition awards varies from year to year.

Back to top

September 21, 2023  for programs in Winter 2024 and Spring 2024

February 15, 2024 for programs in Summer 2024, Fall 2024, and Academic Year 2024-2025

Back to top

Students applying for an award must:

• be enrolled full-time in an FIT degree program;
• have a minimum GPA of 3.0;
• be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident for most FIT Study Abroad Awards; and
• have applied for Financial Aid or are planning to apply and have demonstrated need OR, for international students, have demonstrated need in accordance with the guidelines established through Severe Economic Hardship Relief for F-1 students.

Back to top

1. Apply for a study abroad program at fitnyc.edu/studyabroad.
2. Complete the additional FIT Global Scholar Award application which includes an additional personal statement. This application is found under the Scholarships & Awards tab of the study abroad application site. The personal statement you provide will be a significant factor in the review of your application for this award. Your statement must include a response to each of the following: 
   1. Tell us about past experiences that make you eager to study abroad.
   2. Tell us about your experiences and values that would make you an effective FIT representative abroad.
   3. Tell us in what ways would you be an effective ambassador within the FIT community to promote intercultural understanding and encourage study abroad participation when you return.

For help with writing your personal statement to make it more competitive, we encourage you to visit the Writing & Speaking Studio. For all other questions, please contact the Office of International Programs.

Note: Students may apply for an FIT Study Abroad Award even if they have not yet been accepted into their chosen Study Abroad program. However, awards shall be released with proof that the student has been accepted to an authorized Study Abroad program and confirmation that the student is actually able to participate in the program. In the event that an awardee shall withdraw from the Study Abroad Program for any reason the award will be rescinded.

Award recipients must choose from a list of options for how to support the Office of International Programs during or after their program (ex. blog/vlog posts, volunteering at the Study Abroad Fair, social media takeovers, etc).

Back to top

Fashion Design degree students interested in learning more about these opportunities should contact the Fashion Design department for eligibility and application information.

• Michael Kors Endowed Scholarship

Back to top

International Trade & Marketing degree students interested in learning more about these opportunities should contact the ITM department for eligibility and application information. 

• Ralph Lauren Corp.
• New Times Group Limited
• PVH corp.
• Gemini Shippers Association

Back to top

Students must be chosen as Presidential Scholars to be eligible to apply for the following study abroad scholarships during their sophomore or junior year. Students can contact the Presidential Scholars Department for information on application and eligibility information.  

• Jerome L. Greene Foundation International Studies Fund (up to $10,000)
• Jodi Tilton Memorial Scholarship for Summer Study Abroad ($2000)
• Henry Wolf Presidential Scholars Summer Abroad Scholarship (up to $5000)

Back to top

Rothman Scholarship

The Educational Skills Department is pleased to announce a $1,500 award to a student who plans to participate in an FIT study abroad program. This scholarship is made possible by a generous gift to the Educational Skills Department from Mildred Rothman, founding member and Chairperson from its inception until 1991.

Eligibility:

• Candidates must be matriculated in a current undergraduate degree program (full or parttime)
• Candidates must carry a minimum GPA of 3.0
• Candidates must have successfully completed an Educational Skills course 
• Candidates must be accepted into a studyabroad program

The scholarship will be awarded based on the following:

• A resume, with an accompanying personal statement 
  (Please explain which program you wish to attend and what you hope to get out of studying abroad.)
• A recommendation letter from an FIT faculty member outside of the Educational Skills Department
• An interview with members of the Educational Skills Department

To apply, submit your resume and cover letter to Professor James Sullivan, Chairperson of the Educational Skills department, Business and Liberal Arts Center, Room B602 by 5pm on the April 5 deadline.

Back to top

For students studying in the UK for a minimum of one semester.

See: AASAP/UK Lord Acton Memorial Scholarship

Back to top

The Academy of International Business – Southeast and The Asia Institute offer $1,000 in scholarship funding to support students seeking to participate in global learning experience in Asia. 

See: AIB Scholarship

Back to top

The ASF offers fellowships and grants to outstanding American students for study in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway or Sweden.

See: American-Scandinavian Foundation

Back to top

The Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF) supports low-income, underrepresented students with a variety of scholarships. Awardees are most often students that represent the AAPI’s goal for a diverse community, in addition to exhibiting a desire for communal improvement. The AAPI search committee places preference on first generation college students.

See: APIASF Scholarship Program

Back to top

The Gilman Scholarship Program is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study and intern abroad programs worldwide.

Available to fall, winter, spring, and summer study abroad students. Keep in mind that Winter and Spring awards have a combined deadline.

See: Gilman International Scholarship

Back to top

Boren Scholarships, an initiative of the National Security Education Program, provide unique funding opportunities for U.S. undergraduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests, and underrepresented in study abroad, including Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded.

See: Boren Scholarships

Back to top

For students studying in the UK at a member institution.  Eligible FIT programs include:

• Central Saint Martins
• Chelsea College of Arts
• Nottingham Trent University
• University of Westminster

See: Butex Scholarships

Back to top

The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program is a fully funded summer overseas language and cultural immersion program for American undergraduate and graduate students. With the goal of broadening the base of Americans studying and mastering critical languages and building relationships between the people of the United States and other countries, CLS provides opportunities to a diverse range of students from across the United States at every level of language learning.

See:  CLS Program

Back to top

Some majors allow for their students to participate in external programs, including CCIS. Several FIT students have taken advantage of the $1,000 CCIS scholarship - you could be next!

See: CCIS Scholarships

Back to top

Diversity Abroad (DA) was founded on simple concept; connect a fast growing and diverse population of students and young professionals with meaningful international opportunities that will prepare them for future education and career opportunities.  DA offers their own consortium scholarship for summer study abroad, as well as a database of more program-specific scholarship opportunities.

See: Diversity Abroad Scholarships

Back to top

Freeman-ASIA accepts applications from U.S. citizens or permanent residents studying at the undergraduate level at a two-year or four-year college or university who demonstrate financial need to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia.

See: Freeman-ASIA

Back to top

Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) is an independent study abroad scholarship provider. FEA gives preference to students with demonstrated financial need, and strongly encourages students to apply who represent a group that is traditionally underrepresented in education abroad. These groups include, but are not limited to:

• First-generation college students
• Minority students
• Community college students

See: Fund for Education Abroad

As an applicant, you are automatically considered for all available scholarships (general and dedicated) based on answers you provide on your application online. Scholarships available include:

• Tamara H. Bryant Memorial Scholarship
• Foundation for Global Scholars Scholarship
• Hiliary Echo Douglas Memorial Scholarship
• Jane Gluckmann & Carol Rausch Go Global Scholarship
• Rainbow Scholarship

Back to top

The DAAD scholarship database for undergraduates, graduate students, PhD candidates, post-docs, and faculty offers a wide range of scholarships and additional information to help make your plans in Germany a reality.

See: DAAD

Back to top

Education New Zealand and New Zealand tertiary institutions are supporting Generation Study Abroad students with excellence and travel awards.

See: Study in New Zealand

Back to top

Global Experiences (GE) offers awards that benefit exceptional students attending a GE internship program in any of their global cities on a semester or summer program. The ideal candidate will make a positive impact on their GE program, demonstrate financial need, and act as an outstanding representative of their home country and university.

GE also contributes the following awards to all eligible students who receive a Pell Grant and/or are awarded the Benjamin A. Gilman scholarship for their term abroad.

Pell Grant recipients
$500 (Summer on location)/$200 (virtual)

Benjamin A. Gilman recipients
$250 (Summer on location)/$200 (virtual)

See: Global Experiences Scholarships

Back to top

The Global Study Awards is designed to support highly motivated, talented individuals who can actively demonstrate their potential to contribute to society through their studies; a strong commitment to developing their career; and their sincere interest in increasing intercultural understanding and exchange.

Note: International Students are eligible to apply for a Global Study Awards.

See: Global Study Awards

Back to top

The mission of Go Overseas is to empower human connection through perspective-changing travel. They award up to $100,000 in scholarships every year.

See: Go Overseas

Back to top

The Explore the World Travel Scholarship is for aspiring global travelers who want to give back while they experience another culture. Scholarship recipients will receive $2,000 to support a trip that includes an educational or service component.

See: HI USA 

Back to top

IIE’s mission is to help people and organizations leverage the power of international education to thrive in today’s interconnected world. IIE develops and implements many of the world’s most prestigious and innovative scholarship and training programs, including supporting the flagship educational and cultural exchange programs of the U.S. Departments of State and Defense.

See: Generation Study Abroad

Note: IIE also manages an extensive database of funding for International Students to study in the US. 

See: Funding U. S. Study 

Back to top

The Korea Society Undergraduate Korea Study Abroad Travel Grant is being offered for the first time in fall 2023. Through the generous support to the CKD Kochon Foundation in Korea, the Society is able to offer travel grants of up to $2,500 to deserving undergraduate student in the U.S. for whom the cost of travel to Korea is a burden.

See: The Korea Society Undergraduate Study Abroad Travel Grant

Back to top

Prism Foundation provides scholarships to empower outstanding students who are making a positive impact on the Asian & Pacific Islander and LGBTQ+ communities. The application is open to students who attend community college, university, and trade/vocational school. Applicants should have a strong history of work and impact within the API and/or LGBTQ+ communities; however, applicants do not need to identify as either to apply.

See: Prism Foundation

Back to top

Find and compare scholarships for college students, college grants, fellowships, federal financial aid and other forms of student funding to cover expenses for international Bachelors, Masters and PhDs worldwide.

See: Study Portals 

Back to top

The Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship is awarded biannually to passionate students who want to explore the world. The winner of the Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship will receive: $1,000 scholarship for studying abroad and
1 travel backpack.

See: Tortuga Backpacks

Back to top

Students accepted onto a study abroad program at a European institution have a chance of winning a free rail pass and €1,500 spending money.

See: Trainline

Back to top

Leadership Scholarships are awarded by the UCE Scholarship Fund annually. The student must have contributed as a leader to FIT and their home community during their two years at FIT. The Leadership – Scholarship award of up to $3,000 is presented upon the start of the fall semester.

See: UCE Scholarship

Back to top