Scholarships & Funding
Northeastern University is committed to offering scholarships and funding resources to eligible students participating in global programs.
These funding opportunities are awarded based on academic performance, financial need, or both. Please refer to the information below to browse various internal and external funding opportunities.
Global Experience Grants
All grant applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be a Northeastern degree-seeking undergraduate student at the time of application
- Have an active application to a Northeastern-approved global program for that specific term
- Have demonstrated financial need either through FAFSA or extenuating circumstances outlined in Statement of Need
Eligible Programs
- Dialogue of Civilizations
- Study Abroad
- Semester In
- Summer In
Eligible Terms
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer 1
- Summer 2
- Summer Full
Application Process
Students who wish to apply for a grant will need to complete the Scholarship questionnaire that is within their GEO application for a specific program. Additional written materials include:
Personal Statement
In 300 words or less, please speak to your motivation for participating in this study abroad program. Things you may want to consider in your response include how your experience will relate to your academic, personal, and professional goals, what you hope to gain from your experience, and how you view your identity (race, ethnicity, gender, religion, etc.) in a global context.
Statement of Need
In 300 words or less, please provide any additional information that you would like GEO to know in order to holistically review your eligibility for this award. This can include how GEO funding would impact your global experience, extenuating circumstances, budgeting challenges, etc.
Assessment & Selection
A selection committee will be assembled from various GEO team members to allow for diverse perspectives in the evaluation of applicants. Strong applicants will effectively align the goals for diversity and inclusion as it relates to their global experience. Preference will also be given to applicants who have demonstrated financial need at Northeastern.
Application open/close dates and decision dates depend on the program type and term. Please reach out to your study abroad advisor to confirm the timeline for your specific program.
Fall Semester
- Award amount: $3,000
Spring Semester
- Award amount: $3,000
Summer I, II, or Full Semester
- Award amount: $1,500
Northeastern Funding Resources
Several offices and departments across the university offer support and additional resources to help students finance their global experiences. Certain opportunities and resources may be specific to certain programs, locations, or student groups.
GEO collaborates with the Office of Undergraduate Research & Fellowships to administer some scholarships relating to study abroad experiences. If you are interested in applying to any of the scholarship opportunities below, please contact Northeastern’s Office of Undergraduate Research & Fellowships for more information.
Military-affiliated students should review the following important information and resources for making the most of their time abroad. Please contact GEO or CAVS with any questions.
GI Bill and Financing Study Abroad
If you are receiving Post-9/11 Veteran benefits, you are allowed to use your GI Bill benefits for overseas study.
These funds can only be used to pay for tuition for a Northeastern-Approved Study Abroad program or an approved Exchange program. Funds cannot be used for any fees specific to studying abroad (such as a program fee or room & board) unless the student is required to study abroad as part of their degree program.
Please refer to the VA Fact Sheet (Loyola Marymount University) for more information regarding Study Abroad Programs. For your convenience, Northeastern’s study abroad programs are categorized below:
- The home school assesses student home school’s tuition and fees plus additional fees or a comprehensive fee for studying aboard. Home school has an arrangement with the host school or pays the host school.
- Northeastern uses a Home School Tuition policy model for study abroad, which means students pay Northeastern tuition for Northeastern credit. This model also allows student to utilize any financial aid they receive for an on-campus, Northeastern semester during their study abroad program. This means that most traditional semester or summer study abroad programs fall under this category.
- Third-party charges a fee to the student to participate in a study abroad program
- Following Northeastern’s Home School Tuition policy model for study abroad, students on traditional study abroad programs are responsible for paying all other expenses out of pocket, including housing, flights, visas (if necessary), and other non-academic costs for which they will be billed directly by the program provider or host institution. These are typically considered third-party charges.
- The home school charges a fee or fees for participation in the study abroad program, or faculty-led fees. The student is required to pay the host school the tuition and course fees charged by the host school.
- Dialogue of Civilizations and Global Network programs are specialized Northeastern programs where students are billed Northeastern tuition and a Northeastern program fee. This means that most DOC and Global Network programs fall under this category. Please note that program fees will vary by program.
- The student enrolls directly in the host school.
- At Northeastern, students who choose to direct-enroll in a host study abroad program means that they are studying abroad without Northeastern support. Please understand that choosing direct enroll means that students will not receive transfer credit at Northeastern for study abroad courses, nor will students be able to access Northeastern services while abroad. Students will NOT be able to transfer study abroad credits back to their Northeastern degree audit after completing a direct-enroll program. As a result, this kind of experience will likely not be supported by the VA.
Scholarships and Funding for Military-Affiliated Students
Yellow Ribbon Program: Northeastern University and the Dolce Center for the Advancement of Veterans and Servicemembers (CAVS) in partnership with the VA are honored to offer the Yellow Ribbon Program in conjunction with the Post-9/11 GI Bill to fund tuition expenses for military-affiliated students. Please reach out directly to CAVS to learn more about how this can apply to your study abroad program.
Gilman McCain Scholarship: For child and spousal dependents of active or activated United States military personnel during the time of application to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs.
Created by the South Korean Initiative Fund, the Korea Studies Student Award supports study abroad, research, internships, and co-op opportunities in South Korea for bachelors and masters students at Northeastern University. Support of up to $5,000 can be used to partially defray travel or living expenses not covered by other sources. The awards are given to students who intend to pursue careers building better relations between the United States and South Korea or promoting a deeper understanding of Korea and its place in the world. Interested students may contact the Global Asian Studies Program.
The Hong Liu China Studies Student Award supports study abroad, international research, internship, and co-op abroad opportunities for bachelor’s and master’s students at Northeastern University who intend to pursue careers focusing on building relations between the United States and China on the basis of peace, justice, and mutual understanding. These awards can be used to partially support travel or living expenses not covered by other sources. Interested students may contact the Global Asian Studies Program.
External Funding Resources
All students interested in participating in a global program can also consider applying to a scholarship relating to their study abroad program. The external scholarships listed below support various types of international experiences based on the partner institution. Below are some highlighted partner institution scholarship opportunities.
CIS Abroad (Multiple locations)
University College Dublin, Quinn School of Business
University College London Summer School