Purpose
The Learning Abroad Center’s Diversity Study Abroad Scholarship provides awards for University of Minnesota undergraduate students of diverse backgrounds and identities. This scholarship is intended to:
- Motivate underrepresented students to go abroad by easing the financial barrier
- Increase representation of diverse viewpoints on study abroad programs
For the purpose of this scholarship, diversity may include (but is not limited to) cultural, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, first generation college students, military, or other perspectives or viewpoints that contribute to the diversity of the student body. This scholarship is not need or merit-based, and awards are granted on the strength of a student’s essay.
Eligibility Requirements
- You must be enrolled as a degree-seeking undergraduate student on the Twin Cities or Rochester campuses at the time of application.
- You must be participating in a credit-bearing study abroad program through the Learning Abroad Center or Carlson Global Institute (this includes CGI's self-designed international experience, IBUS 3999).
- Students who obtain collegiate approval to participate in a nonaffiliated program or directed study are eligible.
- Virtual internship programs and National Student Exchange programs (except NSE Canada) are not eligible.
- You can only apply once per application cycle. For example, a student participating in a winter break program and a spring semester program can apply for one of these terms but not both.
- If participating in an Academic Year or Calendar Year program, you can only apply for Academic Year or Calendar Year scholarship awards. For example, for Academic Year programs, you cannot apply for both the Fall and Spring cycles, only the Academic Year cycle.
- Students can apply for any or all of the Learning Abroad Center scholarships (Study Abroad, Diversity, and Financial Need) for which they are eligible. It is possible to be awarded both the Diversity and Financial Need scholarships. Students who receive the Diversity or Financial Need scholarships cannot also receive the Study Abroad scholarship.
- Students who receive the President's Emerging Scholars Fund the Gap Scholarship are not eligible for this award.
- Students are eligible to utilize this scholarship for a program offered during a term immediately following their graduation.
- Students can receive a maximum of 3 Learning Abroad Center scholarships (Study Abroad, Diversity, Financial Need) during their undergraduate career.
Essays
Essays are evaluated based on:
- How thoroughly you answer the specific questions outlined below
- How well written your essay is, in terms of grammar, punctuation, and organization
Essay Questions
This application is comprised of 2 separate essay questions:
- General study abroad essay (required)
- Diversity essay (required)
Essay Question #1
Reflect on how the program you chose relates to your academic, career, and/or personal goals. Why did you choose this particular program? Describe specific program features and elaborate on how these will help you meet one or more of your goals. (350 words maximum)
As you write your essay, consider the following:
- “Academic” goals do not need to be related to your major; we are looking for you to describe how the program coursework, model, and/or features are relevant to your goals.
- Regardless of what type of goals you are focusing on, explain how your goals enhance intellectual learning.
Essay Question #2
- How have your diverse backgrounds and identities influenced your decision to learn abroad? What challenges and growth opportunities unique to your identities do you anticipate throughout your time abroad?
- How might your lived experiences prepare you for these challenges? (350 words maximum)
Deadlines & Award Amounts
Apply before the deadline for the term you are studying abroad, found on the Dates tab of your program. Contact Nathan Jacobson with any questions.
The application for your term abroad will become available after the current deadline has passed. For example, if you are studying abroad in spring, you cannot apply until after the deadline for fall programs.
| Term Abroad | Amount | Application Available | Deadline Date | Notification Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter break 2025 Winter break 2025 (fall 2024 on-campus course) Winter break 2025 (spring 2025 on-campus course) | $1,000 | Application closed | October 23, 2024 | late November 2024 |
| Spring break 2025 | $1,000 | Application closed | October 23, 2024 | late November 2024 |
| Spring semester 2025 | $2,500 | Application closed | October 23, 2024 | late November 2024 |
| Calendar year (spring 2025 - fall 2025) | $4,000 | Application closed | October 23, 2024 | late November 2024 |
| May session 2025 May session 2025 (spring 2025 on-campus course) | $1,000 | Apply now | February 19, 2025 | late March 2025 |
| Summer session 2025 | $1,500 | Apply now | February 19, 2025 | late March 2025 |
| Fall semester 2025 | $2,500 | Application not yet available | April 9, 2025 | mid-May 2025 |
| Academic year (fall 2025 - spring 2026) | $4,000 | Application not yet available | April 9, 2025 | mid-May 2025 |
Applications must be submitted by 11:59 pm on the deadline date. Scholarship notification emails will be sent to all applicants' UofM email accounts 4–6 weeks after the deadline.
Submit your application:
Apply now for programs offered May Session 2025 or Summer 2025 (see eligible terms above). Select the 'UMN' option on the login page and log in using your UofM internet ID.