SSA scholarships are only awarded to students participating in our programs. Scholarship applications submitted by students participating in non-SSA programs will not be considered.
SSA has awarded over $230,000 in scholarships since 2001.
We offer three scholarship options for students attending SSA programs in Spain, Argentina, Panama and Puerto Rico.
You may submit an application to all of the scholarships but you can only receive one of the scholarships: Spanish Heritage Speaker, Diversity, or Pell Grant.
Be creative! This is your chance to set yourself apart!
Below you will find information about SSA scholarship opportunities.
Notes:
– SSA scholarships cannot be applied to program costs, including tuition. Scholarships are meant to offset extra expenses such as flights, transportation, entertainment, etc.
– The SSA Scholarship Program does not include Custom Programs or Faculty-led Programs.
– For information on other sources of funding and financial matters, please see below.
See below for descriptions of SSA’s three scholarships. Choose the scholarship that is most relevant to you, and respond to the corresponding essay prompt. Essay entries should be between 400 and 500 words and written in English. In your document, include your name, program, and home school in the top right-hand corner, and submit your completed scholarship essay as an attachment to [email protected] with “Diversity Scholarship Essay,” “Spanish Heritage Speaker Scholarship Essay,” or “Pell Grant Scholarship Essay” in the subject.
This scholarship supports Spanish Heritage Speakers who are pursuing study abroad opportunities with SSA to deepen their cultural connections, enhance their language skills and gain global perspectives through international education.
Prompt: What does connecting with your Spanish language and cultural heritage mean to you, and how do you hope studying in a Spanish-speaking country will support that journey?
This scholarship is especially designed for students from diverse backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in study abroad including, but not limited to the areas of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, age, religion, disabilities, as well as first generation students and non-traditional students.
Prompt: In this essay, share a moment when you encountered a different perspective or culture. How did this impact your understanding of the world or yourself and what will you take from this and use during your study abroad experience?
This scholarship is especially designed for recipients of a Federal Pell Grant. In addition to responding to the essay question below, please provide proof that you have received a Pell Grant in the form of a copy or screenshot of financial aid award letters from your school, Federal Student Aid (FSA) documentation, and/or any other relevant information.
Prompt: In this essay, describe how studying abroad with SSA will allow you to continue working toward your academic, personal, and/or future goals.
| Spanish Heritage Speaker Scholarship | Diversity Scholarship | Pell Grant Scholarship | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cumulative GPA Requirement: | 3.0 GPA | 3.0 GPA | 3.0 GPA | ||
| Semester/Academic Year Awards: | $ 1,500.00 | ||||
| Summer/January Awards: | $ 500.00 | ||||
The deadlines for SSA Scholarships are the same as the program deadlines:
| Program Term | Program Application / Scholarship Deadlines |
|---|---|
| Academic Year | May 15 |
| Fall Semester | May 15 |
| Spring Semester | November 15 |
| Spring Semester Jan Term | November 15 |
| Jan Term | November 15 |
| Any Summer Program | April 30 |
The SSA Alumni Scholar Fund was developed in 2004 and designed to benefit returning students wishing to embark on an additional cross-cultural adventure with SSA. We now offer all alumni students a stipend to apply towards another SSA experience in Argentina, Cuba, Puerto Rico, or Spain.
Please note that all SSA alumni who choose to attend an additional program with us will automatically receive the Alumni Scholarship. Alumni who receive an Alumni Scholarship are also eligible to apply for the SSA Scholarship Program.
| Program Term | Award Amounts |
|---|---|
| Academic Year | $1,000 |
| Semester | $500 |
| Each Short Term | $100 |
Study abroad does not have to be out of your reach financially. In fact, if you already receive financial aid most students are able to use part, if not all, of their financial aid for study abroad. Often, a “Contractual Agreement” or “Consortium Agreement” Form is completed by the college and SSA for purposes of applying financial aid to your study abroad program. You may contact us at [email protected] for further information and instructions regarding the transfer of financial aid. Your advisor or your financial aid officer can also assist you with this process. This must be done in advance of payment due dates.
If you are going to receive financial aid after the payment deadline for your program at SSA, then you need to submit this form along with a signed consortium agreement to your SSA Advisor. This form allows SSA to defer a portion of your program’s cost until your financial aid is processed and disbursed. Click on the button below, and then right click on the form to save it to your computer.
SSA is committed to helping make your dreams of studying in another country a reality. Toward that end, we’re open to discussing the possibility of payment plans. If you would like to explore this option, please contact your SSA Advisor by calling (413) 256-0011 and let them know you’re interested in a payment plan.
This sample payment plan is for a student attending a Summer Term Program. Your payment plan would be different, but follow a similar model.
The total balance of this sample program fee is $4,500. The repayment schedule and terms are outlined below:
| Repayment Schedule | Amount | |||
| Non-Refundable Deposit – Due 10 days after acceptance | $500 | |||
| First Payment – Due February 15 | $800 | |||
| Second Payment – Due March 15 | $800 | |||
| Third Payment – Due April 15 | $800 | |||
| Fourth Payment – Due May 15 | $800 | |||
| Final Payment – Due June 15 | $800 | |||
| Total Payments: | $4,500 | |||
The Gilman International Scholarship Program Applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant or provide proof that he/she will be receiving a Pell Grant at the time of application or during the term of his/her study abroad. The applicant is applying to or has been accepted into a study abroad program eligible for credit by the student’s accredited institution of higher education in the U.S. The applicant is studying abroad for at least four weeks in one country. Programs going to more than one country are eligible if the student will be studying in one country for at least four consecutive weeks. The applicant is studying abroad in any country except Cuba or a country on the U.S. Department of State’s current Travel Warning list. Award amounts will vary depending on the length of study and student need with the average award being approximately $4,000.
Fund for Education Abroad (FEA): The FEA was established in 2010 to expand access to study abroad by raising awareness of its benefits to the individual and value to the collective, and by granting scholarships of up to $10,000. Applicants from groups underrepresented in study abroad and those destined for non-traditional locations are given preference, in an effort to make the demographics of U.S. undergraduates studying abroad reflect the rich diversity of the U.S. population.
Diverse International Women of Color Scholarship: is intended to assist women of color who are exceptional in their studies and in need of financial assistance to study abroad. DIWC will award (5) $500 scholarships to women of color who have been accepted to a Study Abroad Program.
International Education Financial Aid IEFA is the premier resource for financial aid, college scholarship and grant information for US and international students wishing to study abroad. At this site, you will find the most comprehensive college scholarship search and grant listings plus international student loan programs and other information to promote study abroad.
DiversityAbroad.com is the first online resource center dedicated to increasing the number of minority and underrepresented students in study abroad. They list several diversity, low-income, and general scholarship opportunities available to students (see site for details).
Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant Phi Kappa Phi offers forty-five $1,000 study abroad grants each year. Those eligible to apply include members and non-members of Phi Kappa Phi, but must have a Phi Kappa Phi chapter at their home institution and a minimum 3.5 GPA. For deadlines and further details visit their website.
Boren Awards for International Study Boren scholarships are awarded to students studying abroad in typically underrepresented countries of international study. This includes SSA Education Abroad programs in Argentina. Boren scholarships are funded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP), which supports education believed critical to U.S. national security, including language. For deadlines and more details visit their website.
Addiction Resource Scholarship AddictionResource.com awards $3,000 in scholarships each year to students who share their vision for an addiction-free world. With the Addiction Resource Scholarship, current and prospective college students share their story on how we can make the world addiction-free.
GoAbroad.com Scholarship Directory allows you to search for available scholarships based upon your individual needs and plans.
Check out InternationalScholarships.com and Finaid.org.
www.GoFundMe.com Billed as ‘The World’s #1 Personal Fundraising Website’, this page will allow you to set a dollar target amount and then ask people to contribute toward it much like a Kickstarter or IndieGoGo project.
www.gogetfunding.com GoGetFunding is a crowdfunding website that lets you raise money for anything that matters to you. From personal causes and events to projects and more. We’ve helped people from all over the world raise millions online.
There are many other resources to help you fund your study abroad. Sometimes schools have special funding available to students studying abroad, or there may be a study abroad scholarship offered through your local Rotary Club. We encourage you to talk to your school or search the internet to research these funding sources.
Choose to study in English or Spanish across seven Hispanic locations over two continents.
Choose to study in English or Spanish across seven Hispanic locations over two continents.
Got a specific term in mind? Study abroad at any time of year based on your academic needs or personal preference.
Select a study abroad program that closely aligns with your major or minor.
Boost your resume, flourish as a human being, and have the time of your life.
Discover our custom programs for high schools and high school study-abroad opportunities.
Before study abroad: learn why SSA is your family’s partner in secure, enriching study abroad experiences. See how we support your student’s growth every step of the way.
After study abroad: make the most of your study abroad experience: get career support, become an ambassador, request a transcript, and more.
Learn about SSA’s custom programs, book a site visit, or become an esteemed SSA partner to earn exclusive benefits and discounts.
