Freeman-ASIA Scholarship

General Scholarship Information

The Freeman-ASIA Scholarship Program is designed to support US-based undergraduates with demonstrated financial need who are planning to study abroad in East or Southeast Asia. The program’s goal is to increase the number of US citizens and permanent residents with first-hand exposure to and understanding of Asia and its peoples and cultures.

Resources for University of Minnesota Students

Gilman/Freeman-ASIA Scholarship: Virtual Info Session

Spring 2024:  Wednesday, February 21: 2:30-3:30pm

You must register in order to attend the live session. You may register even if you can't attend, and we'll send you the Zoom recording afterwards.

The next live info session will be fall 2024 (likely mid-September) - check back for details and registration link.

If you are unable to attend the live session, or wish to review the information early, you may access the Zoom recording of a previous session from February 2024 (login and UMN email may be required). Email Thuy at [email protected] to request a copy of the post-info session email that includes all the resource links mentioned in the webinar.

This session covers eligibility requirements, the application process, tips for applying, and additional resources. A significant part of the webinar will focus on guidance for crafting high-quality Gilman and/or Freeman-ASIA Scholarship essays.

Contact Thuy Doan at [email protected] with questions.

Writing Your Freeman-ASIA Scholarship Essays & Individual Feedback on Essay Drafts

We recommend that you review the writing tips provided in our info session (live or recorded) prior to writing your draft. You may also find the Gilman Scholarship's Follow-on Service Project Info Session and Follow-on Project FAQ videos helpful in drafting your project proposal idea because the parameters are similar to those of the Freeman-ASIA project proposal.

As a supplement to the writing centers on campus, the Learning Abroad Center offers individual essay feedback from UofM advisers who have served as Gilman scholarship reviewers. Freeman-ASIA application essays are similar to Gilman's. This service is only available to info session attendees or those who have viewed the info session recording. Reviewers will expect that you have applied the writing tips in your essay draft(s). If you would like feedback on your Gilman essay, email your draft to Thuy Doan at [email protected] and she will distribute your draft to one of the reviewers.

Note: advisers cannot review drafts submitted fewer than 5 business days before the application deadline.

The following advisers are available to review your essay drafts:

• Thuy Doan
• Jessica Hartnett
• Ryan McCarthy
• Ashley Metz
• Kate Meyer
• Emiko Walker (UofM–Rochester students only)

Future Sessions & Workshops

• Gilman/Freeman-ASIA Scholarship info sessions and workshops are offered every semester.
• Fall semester info session will be offered in mid- to late September 2024.

Freeman-ASIA Scholarship Application Instructions for UofM students

This scholarship requires all applicants to select and meet with a certifying study abroad adviser in order to apply. Advance planning is essential since last-minute appointments are often not available. Aim to meet with them at least a week or two prior to the application deadline. This is especially important now that advisers only have until the application deadline to certify you.

Consult the Freeman-ASIA website for complete application instructions.

Who are your certifying study abroad advisers?

We strongly recommend that UMTC students select the Learning Abroad Center program adviser who is the first contact for your program. Locate this person under the "contact" tab of your program on the Learning Abroad Center website. If your program adviser is not available, you may meet with any program selection adviser.

Do not select your academic adviser or anyone else outside of the Learning Abroad Center. (Exception: students on Carlson Global Institute programs should meet with and be certified by a CGI adviser.)

UofM–Rochester students must select and meet with Emiko Walker ([email protected]) as your certifying study abroad adviser.

You must discuss the following items with your certifying adviser:

1. Review your eligibility, including preference factors (see Eligibility section for details): program duration, location, academic focus and offerings, previous study abroad experience. Is your program a good fit for your goals and for this scholarship?
2. Discuss your graduation timeline (will you have at least one semester remaining after you return from abroad) and its impact on your ability to complete the follow on service project.
3. Discuss ideas for your service project
   • What ideas do you have, and what kind of information will you share as part of this project?
   • Is it feasible?
   • Who will I to work with? Student group, instructor, student organization, community organization, etc.
   • How it can make an impact and further Freeman-ASIA’s mission to promote study in Asia
   • How does this project connect to your academic goals and study abroad program?
4. Total cost of participation for your program
5. Program application process and timeline (if it is too early to apply, ask when you may start your application)
6. How to access your transcripts, cost of attendance at the UofM, and financial aid information (if you need additional help)

Eligibility Requirements

Students must:

• Be a US citizen or permanent resident at the time of application
• Currently receive need-based financial aid or demonstrate a verifiable need for financial assistance to participate in the proposed study abroad program. The applicant is required to submit the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) figure, calculated through FAFSA, with the statement of financial need through the online Freeman-ASIA application.
• Be an undergraduate student with a minimum GPA of 2.8, pursuing his or her first bachelor's degree (or associate's degree), at a two-year or a four-year institution of higher education in the US
• Apply through the US home campus and have at least one term of enrollment remaining at the home institution in the US upon returning from studying abroad in Asia
• Have applied or have been accepted to a study abroad based program in: Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, or Vietnam. A multi-country program is eligible only if the applicant will spend at least 8 weeks in one of the countries stated above and will have intensive language study during that period.
• Have applied to or have been accepted by a study abroad based program that awards academic credits through the home campus or other US accredited college or university. The proposed length of study in the host country must be a minimum of 8 weeks for a summer term, 10 weeks for a quarter term, and 12 weeks for a semester term.
• Have little or no previous experience in the country in which he or she plans to study. A summer term applicant must not have spent more than 4 weeks in the proposed country of study within the last 5 years. A semester or an academic year term applicant must not have spent more than 6 weeks in the proposed country of study within the last 5 years.
• Submit the online Freeman-ASIA Student Impact Survey within one month of returning to the United States and must initiate his/her service project to promote study abroad opportunities in Asia on the college campus and/or in the local community
• Submit the Freeman-ASIA Final Service Report on the implementation of his/her service project at the end of the term following his/her return to the US.
• Not be a previous Freeman-ASIA award recipient

Selection criteria

Freeman-ASIA gives preference to students who:

• Participate in language study that will enhance their ability to engage with the host culture.
• Enroll in a study abroad program with at least 20 hours per week of class time, incorporating the study of an East or Southeast Asian language, culture, and history.
• Participate in a study abroad programs taught by host country faculty members.
• Demonstrate sincere interest in incorporating East or Southeast Asian Studies into future academic and/or professional plans.

Freeman-ASIA uses the following criteria to evaluate award applications:

• Financial need
• Commitment to and demonstrated interest in East or Southeast Asian Studies
• Quality of the service project proposal

Deadlines

Note that you only have one chance per year to apply for Freeman ASIA scholarship regardless of when you plan to study abroad.

* New for 2024 application cycle: Your study abroad adviser must certify you by April 2, which is also student deadline. Plan ahead and do NOT wait until last minute to apply. Your study abroad adviser can certify you before you finish the application but allow at least a week before the deadline to meet with your adviser to seek certification approval.

Award Amounts

A Freeman-ASIA Award provides need-based funding to assist the recipient with the cost of the study abroad program and related expenses, including airfare, basic living costs, local transportation, books, etc.

• Summer Award: up to $3,000
• Semester/Quarter Award: up to $5,000
• Academic Year Award: up to $7,000

How to Submit Your Application

There are two components to the Freeman-ASIA Scholarship Application:

1. Online application that includes uploading official transcripts
2. Online certification from the applicant’s study abroad adviser (see instructions above about selecting and meeting with a certifying adviser)

You must complete both components by the published deadline in order for your application to be considered. Freeman-ASIA does not accept incomplete or late applications and will not grant extensions.

Visit the Freeman-ASIA Scholarship website to learn more about this opportunity, review eligibility requirements, application instructions, FAQs, and to get started on your application.