Learning a foreign language can be an enriching experience, but it can also be expensive. Fortunately, there are many scholarships available to help students pursue their language learning goals. These scholarships provide opportunities for students to fully immerse themselves in a new language and culture, and gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the language they are studying. In this article, we will highlight 11 must-have scholarships for foreign language study that can help students unlock a world of opportunities.
How do I apply for language scholarships?
Are you wondering how to apply for language scholarships? The application process is straightforward. First, visit the scholarship website and carefully read the instructions and requirements. Eligibility criteria, such as GPA, major, study abroad location, and class standing, will be specified, so make sure you meet them.
Application materials typically include essays, transcripts, and at least one recommendation, but the exact requirements vary depending on the scholarship and program. To increase your chances of success, it’s important to review best practices for creating a strong application before submitting your materials.
11 Essential Scholarships For Foreign Language Study.
1. Critical Language Scholarship
This fully-funded program provides an intensive 8-week language immersion experience for American undergraduate and graduate students. The program offers language classes, cultural classes, and homestays in 15 lesser-taught languages that are critical to US security.
2. Boren Awards
The Boren Awards offer American undergrad and graduate students grants for language immersion programs of up to one year abroad. You can choose to participate in one of the Flagship language programs, or design your own program, but there are specific requirements for the language, location, and for following the award.
3. NSLI-Y
The National Security Language Initiative for Youth provides high school students with fully-funded immersive summer or academic year programs in languages critical to US interests abroad. Participants typically stay with host families and go on cultural excursions.
4. Deutscher Akademischer Austausch Dienst (DAAD)
The German Academic Exchange Service sponsors students from around the world to study German language and culture at a language school in Germany during the summer or winter.
5. The Luce Scholars Program
This year-long program is not specifically a language immersion grant, but it does include a significant language study component. After a period of orientation and intensive language study, participants undertake a professional placement.
6. Ibn Battuta Arabic Scholarships
The Ibn Battuta Scholarship is offered to people who study Arabic at the Qalam wa Lawh Center in Rabat, Morocco. They offer both full and partial scholarships for foreign language study in their semester, summer, and winter programs.
7. Taiwan-United States Sister Relations Alliance (TUSA) Summer Scholarship Program
This eight-week language scholarship program for Americans provides the chance to learn Mandarin Chinese, go on cultural excursions, and participate in volunteer activities.
8. Darmasiswa Scholarship
This scholarship is an opportunity to immerse yourself in Indonesian language, arts, and culture for up to one year. You can choose from a number of institutions around the country.
9. ARIT Summer Fellowships for Advanced Turkish Language Study
The American Research Institute in Turkey provides about 18 fully-funded fellowships to American undergrad and graduate students for language study at Boğaziçi University in Istanbul.
10. Blakemore Freeman Fellowships
These fellowships are for advanced learners of an Asian language. The language scholarship is awarded for one year of intensive foreign language study, and includes tuition or tutoring fees, plus a stipend for travel, living, and study expenses.
11. American Institute of Indian Studies
Through the American Institute of Indian Studies, you can learn any number of Indian languages on their immersive summer, semester, or year-long programs. AIIS also offers full foreign language fellowships to semester and academic year applicants who have the equivalent of two years of language training.
Overall, these scholarships provide a great opportunity for students to fully immerse themselves in a new language and culture. By taking advantage of these opportunities, students can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for the language they are studying, as well as the culture that speaks it.