High School Abroad Scholarships and Grants to Apply for in 2025
Make high school study abroad a reality with these need-based and merit-based scholarships and grants.
Scholarships and grants aren’t just for college students! If you dream of studying abroad during high school but have sticker shock from the price, know that there are countless funding opportunities to make the experience more affordable.
High school abroad is a great way to grow as a person, gain confidence, and improve language skills, so don’t let the cost hold you back!
High school abroad scholarships and grants
The following high school study abroad scholarships and grants are for US and international students from a range of backgrounds. Some are strictly need-based, merit-based, or restricted to underrepresented student groups while others are open to everyone!
VISIONS Service Adventures Scholarships
VISIONS offer financial aid that is based on financial need and availability of funds. VISIONS may also offer a limited number of merit scholarships for students who are in the “gray area” of qualifying for aid and who also demonstrate that they are an excellent candidate for a VISIONS program.
- You must be between 14 and 18, or a rising freshman to graduating senior and demonstrate need
SYA Scholarships
School Year Abroad (SYA) wants its high school abroad programs to be affordable for everyone. They have a selection of full and partial scholarships available for students based on need and merit for semester or full-year programs in Spain, Italy, and France.
- Be a rising sophomore, junior, or senior
- Two years of language study
YFU Financial Aid Fund
Youth for Understanding (YFU) offers over 170 full and partial need-based and merit-based scholarships every year for their high school abroad programs. Some of these include the Jason Pollington Latin America Scholarship for year or semester programs in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Paraguay or Uruguay and their Japan Summer Program.
- Between the ages of 15 and 18
- Some programs require proficiency in the host country's language
AATG Summer Study Program Scholarships
The American Association of Teachers of German offers several scholarships to high school students interested in attending their 3-week summer high school abroad in Germany program. Students from underrepresented backgrounds and those demonstrating financial need are especially encouraged to apply.
- Have completed at least 2 years of German language study
- Between the ages of 15 and 17
ISE Student Ambassador Scholarship
High schoolers participating in either high school abroad or a short-term/summer program with ISE can apply to be Student Ambassadors to receive a scholarship of between $150-$1,000. Student Ambassadors share their experiences abroad through blog posts or vlogs on ISE's site.
- Between the ages of 14 and 18
- Participating in one of ISE's high school programs
Centro MundoLengua Scholarships
Spanish language school Centro MundoLengua offers full and partial tuition scholarships for students demonstrating financial need. Scholarships may be used for summer programs (between May and August) at their locations in Cadiz or Sevilla, Spain.
- Current high school student
- Recommendation from Spanish teacher
US Youth Ambassadors Program
The US Youth Ambassadors Program is a 3-week summer leadership and cultural exchange program for US high school students in a select country in the Caribbean, Central, or South America. Every year, 98 full scholarships are provided to students.
- Between the ages of 15 and 17
- Intermediate Spanish-speaker
Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES)
The US Department of State's YES program provides scholarships to US students interested in spending an academic year abroad at a high school in a country with a significant Muslim population. Current countries include Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Ghana, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Morocco, North Macedonia, Senegal, Thailand, and Turkey. The scholarship covers airfare, tuition, room and board with a host family, and a monthly stipend.
- US citizen high school students and recent graduates (ages 15-18.5)
Future Leaders Exchange Abroad (FLEX Abroad)
The US Department of State and American Councils for International Education welcomes high school students of all GPAs and backgrounds to apply for a scholarship to spend a year at a high school abroad in Georgia, Kazakhstan, Poland, or Romania. The FLEX Abroad scholarship covers airfare, tuition, and room and board with a host family. Each student will receive a monthly stipend to cover basic living costs.
- Current high school student
CIEE High School Summer Abroad Scholarships
CIEE's Global Navigator Scholarship and Academic Merit Award provide funding for high school students interested in CIEE's summer abroad programs. The Global Navigator Scholarship covers between $500 to the full cost of tuition and is geared toward US students demonstrating financial need. The Academic Merit Award is suitable for all high school students and covers $500 of the tuition fee.
- Global Navigator Scholarship: Current freshman, sophomore, or junior in high school who is a US citizen or permanent resident living in the US
Where There Be Dragons Financial Aid & 529 Funds
Where There Be Dragons offers need-based financial aid to students that demonstrate reasonable financial need and are excited to engage with communities around the world.
- Any student that demonstrates reasonable financial need
The Experiment in International Living Scholarships
The Experiment in International Living offers a variety of need-based and merit-based scholarships to worthy high school students looking to participate in their program. The eligibility requirements vary depending on where you live and other demographics -- and your GPA is taken into account for some scholarships too.
- Must apply for/be enrolled in an Experiment in International Living program
The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program
For those accepted into The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange Program, the U.S. State Department will provide full scholarships to study abroad in Germany -- no previous language required! As Germany is a top country for studying abroad, this is a competitive but great opportunity for high school students to get a jump start on international education.
- 3.0 GPA or higher
National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y)
The National Langue Security Initiative is a program sponsored by the U.S. State Department to encourage language learning in specific languages the U.S. has identified as high importance. The scholarship covers language immersion programs for the following languages: Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Hindi, Indonesian, Korean, Persian (Tajik), Russian and Turkish through one of their programs.
- GPA higher than 2.5
- Must be learning one of the languages listed
Rotary International Scholarships & Grants
The Rotary Club operates one of the largest and longest-run private study abroad funding programs offering up to $25,000 in scholarships to fund one year of academic study, room and board, and other associated expenses. Students are named Cultural Ambassadors and are expected to give presentations both on their home culture while abroad and on the culture of their study abroad destination upon returning home. Scholarships are given through local branches.
How to apply for high school study abroad scholarships
Applying for scholarships can be time-consuming but the potential pay-off is worth it!
- Check your eligibility. High school scholarships for international students may exclude freshmen or seniors, depending on where you are on your academic path. Additionally, some cater specifically to students with financial need or to students from underrepresented backgrounds. Be sure to check that you have enough time before the application closes, too!
- Prepare your application. Aside from the typical requirements like transcripts and recommendation letters, many scholarships ask applicants to submit a written piece or to record a video about why they want to study abroad during high school. Highlight what makes you unique and how the program fits into your future plans. This is your time to get creative and shine!
- Submit! Once your application is complete, have a friend, family member, or teacher take a look and give you any additional feedback to submit your most polished work. And don’t just stop at one! Maximize your chances for success by applying to as many scholarships as you’re eligible for.
For more tips on prepping an outstanding application, check out our article detailing the 11 secrets to winning study abroad scholarships!
Start your applications today
The cost of studying abroad in high school can be prohibitive for some students but with partial and fully-funded high school scholarships and grants, it doesn’t have to be. By doing your research and planning ahead, you’re putting yourself on the path to spending a summer, semester, or year abroad during high school. That experience will be truly priceless!
Learn more about high school abroad and how to fund it!