Financial Aid
Students participating in a Bentley-sponsored semester Study Abroad program are eligible to utilize federal, state and institutional funding. Eligibility for non-Bentley Study Abroad programs includes federal and state funds only. Students applying for short term faculty-led international courses should note that Bentley merit scholarships do not apply to these faculty-led courses or Global Business Elective courses. However, we do offer competitive scholarships for these courses below. Students studying abroad who receive any type of financial aid or Bentley grants or scholarships should visit the Office of Financial Assistance's page on study abroad and schedule an appointment with a financial aid advisor to discuss applicability so that students can be fully informed throughout the study abroad application process.
While we encourage students to spend an entire academic year abroad, Bentley institutional aid (such as merit scholarships) is guaranteed for one semester abroad only. To request to be considered for continuation of Bentley institutional aid for a full year abroad, students must submit a petition as part of their study abroad application. Due to financial aid budget constraints, only a small number of petitions will be approved. We strongly encourage students to contact a study abroad advisor and financial aid counselor for guidance.
Scholarships
We strongly encourage students interested in studying abroad to apply for scholarships! An advisor in international education can assist students in preparing their application. Review the opportunities below and begin as early as possible. View past scholarship recipients here.
First Year Students
Bentley University has been selected by the Institute of International Education (IIE) to receive an IIE American Passport Project grant that will enable up to 25 Bentley students to obtain a U.S. passport and support their study abroad journeys. In this third year of the program, IIE awarded 48 institutions in the IIENetwork for this opportunity, which will help up to 1,200 Pell-eligible, U.S. students obtain their U.S. passports and start their study abroad journey.
Requirements: Must be a Pell-eligible first year student (or transfer) at Bentley.
Award: 25 students will receive a US adult passport, all costs covered
Application opening soon! Email ga_study_abroad@bentley.edu with any questions.
Faculty-Led/GBE Scholarships
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship aims to support students who have been traditionally under-represented in study abroad, including but not limited to students with high financial need, students with diverse ethnic backgrounds, and students with disabilities.
Requirements: U.S. Citizen undergraduate; Receive a Pell Grant or will be receiving a Pell Grant
Award: Up to $5,000
Click here to view an information video about the Gilman Scholarship Program and how to apply.
The Earle and Sloan Travel Fellowship assists two Bentley students with financial need to participate in a short-term, GBE or Faculty-led International Course each year.
Requirements: Must be participating in a short-term, GBE or Faculty-led International Course
Award: Up to $6,500
The Global Social Responsibility Fund assists Bentley students with financial need to participate in a short-term, GBE or Faculty-led International Course each year. The selected student awards will defray the cost of their faculty-led international course.
Requirements: Must be participating in a short-term, GBE or Faculty-led International Course. The faculty-led international course must take place in the developing world, and address issues of social concern.
Award: Two scholarships of up to $5,200
The International Citizens Group Study Abroad Scholarship is exclusively available for Bentley students who participate in a faculty-led international course or GBE.
Requirements: Must be participating in a GBE or Faculty-led International Course
Award: Up to $6,500
The scholarship is provided by the generosity of Joe Cronin, Sr., the fifth President of Bentley University, and Joe Cronin, Jr., MBA ’94, the President of the International Citizens Group. Joe Cronin, Sr. was a champion of internationalism, doubling the number of international students enrolled during his tenure. Bentley’s International Office is named in his honor. The International Citizens Group is a specialized international health insurance agency offering world class insurance plans to those living and traveling around the world. Joe Cronin, Jr. is a BC High, Georgetown University, and Bentley University graduate who lives in Hingham, MA with his wife and three children. He ranks his Bentley led study abroad trip to Japan as one of his most powerful educational experiences.
The Herbert J. and Susan P. Maletz Study Abroad Scholarship assists Bentley students with financial need to participate in a short-term GBE or Faculty-led International Course. This generous gift by the Maletz family will provide one scholarship of up to $5,200 to help one student per academic year achieve their goal of traveling abroad for the first time.
- Applicant qualifications: Full-time students in good academic standing who have not traveled abroad before
Semester & Academic Year Scholarships
The Julius E. Babbitt scholarship was established by classmates of Julius E. Babbitt ’91 to honor his legacy. The scholarship supports Bentley students’ international education endeavors by covering costs associated with participation in a Bentley study abroad program including course fees, room and board, travel expenses, immunizations, passport/visa fees, etc. Full-time, undergraduate students in good academic standing are eligible for this scholarship.
Requirements: Must be participating in an approved semester program. See application for full eligibility requirements.
Award: One $2,500 scholarship will be awarded
This award supports the Cronin Office of International Education’s goal to increase access to students from underrepresented backgrounds to study abroad and provide them with the support and guidance they need as they prepare for and embark on their international experiences.
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship aims to support students who have been traditionally under-represented in study abroad, including but not limited to students with high financial need, students with diverse ethnic backgrounds, and students with disabilities.
Requirements: U.S. Citizen undergraduate; Receive a Pell Grant or will be receiving a Pell Grant
Award: Up to $5,000
Click here to view an information video about the Gilman Scholarship Program and how to apply.
The Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) offers a variety of scholarships for study abroad students.
Requirements: Multiple scholarships for students in, but not excluded to, the following communities: Boston Area, Athletes, and LGBTQ. Must also meet general FEA scholarship eligibility requirements.
Award: Up to $5,000 for a semester, $10,000 for a full year; and awards that are prorated by number of weeks in-country
The Freeman-ASIA Program, generously supported by the Freeman Foundation and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE), aims to increase the number of U.S. undergraduates who study in East and Southeast Asia by providing them with the information and financial assistance they will need.
Requirements: U.S. Undergraduate; Studying in East or Southeast Asia
Award: From $3,000 to $7,000
DIWC’s charitable concern is to provide scholarships to women of color who need financial assistance to study abroad.
Requirements:
- Woman of color, not limited to Black or African-American, Native American, Hispanic/Latina and Asian.
- 2.7+ GPA
- Reside in and enrolled at U.S. institution.
- Accepted into study abroad program.
Award: Each DIWC recipient will receive $500.
The Explore the World travel scholarship will award multiple $2000 scholarships.
Requirements: U.S. Citizen or permanent resident; Must demonstrate financial need; under 30 years old; traveling a minimum of seven days
Award: Multiple $2,000 scholarships
The Bridging Project offers scholarships to American undergraduate students participating in study abroad programs in Japan.Undergraduate students majoring in any field of study are eligible to apply for Bridging Scholarships. Bridging Scholarship recipients receive a stipend of $2,500 (for students on semester-long programs) or $4,000 (for students on academic year programs).
Requirements: American Undergraduate; Studying Abroad in Japan
Award: $2,500 for a semester; $4,000 for a year
Boren Scholarships are funded by the National Security Education Program (NSEP), which focuses on geographic areas, languages, and fields of study deemed critical to U.S. national security.
Requirements: Must be majoring in a field of study deemed critical to U.S national security; Must be studying in a region of the world critical to U.S interests
Award: $10,000 for a semester; $20,000 for six to twelve months; $8,000 for a summer program (8 weeks minimum)
Additional Information: NSEP awards scholarships to American students for study of world regions critical to U.S. interests (including Africa, Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Middle East). The countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded. Fall, spring and summer cycles.
Diversity Abroad Scholarships are awarded in cooperation with AIFS. Each semester, AIFS offers 2 $5,000 scholarships to outstanding students from under-represented groups. Applicants must demonstrate high academic achievement and/or participate in community service activities.
Alliance for Global Education Scholarships are available to students enrolled in an Alliance programs in China or India. The Alliance awards one of two scholarships in amounts up to $4500. Students from non-traditional majors or minority backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
GO Overseas! Study Abroad Scholarships of $500 are available to students participating in study abroad programs all over the world. The scholarship is awarded based on creativity and analytical thinking displayed through writing samples and/or video submissions. Recipients must be successfully accepted into a study abroad program.
The Ashley Soule Conroy Foundation Scholarship awards $4,000 to undergraduate degree seeking students on semester or year study abroad programs with a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA. Students must have demonstrated financial needs as determined by the FAFSA.
The Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship is awarded biannually to passionate students who want to explore the world. Winners receive a $1,000 scholarship and a Tortuga travel backpack.
The General Federation of Women's Clubs of Massachusetts awards an International Study Abroad Scholarship towards a 12-credit summer, semester or academic year study abroad program.
Going Study Abroad Scholarship awards a $1,000 scholarship each fall and spring. The scholarship will be awarded by winning essay submission. Summer students may also apply.
Worldstrides Higher Ed Traveler Scholarships are awarded to undergraduate and graduate student travelers of WorldStrides ISA faculty-led programs. They offer a $3,000 scholarship each fall, spring and summer.