Chile Study Abroad Scholarships
From Andes to Coast to High Desert, Chile Offers Visual and Educational Feasts
Chile is a slim slice of waterfront property running right up along the southwestern edge of South America. To her East is much larger Argentina. Chile is a stunning visual blend of high Andean mountain range and coastline dotted with groups of islands, archipelagos, and national parks. Hit Chile’s beaches for a surfing study break.
Government Scholarships
Every student would like to get his or her hands on a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. While over 700 are handed out annually, there are exponentially more applicants than recipients. The program is a savvy invention of the federal government born out of their goal for sewing the seeds of a more diversified corps of global leaders. Recognizing the fact that many economically and socially disadvantaged students have been traditionally disenfranchised when it comes to study abroad programs, the Gilman Scholarships are only offered to these students. Applicants must first be Pell Grant recipients and second must be academically superior to many of their peers. Minorities and disabled students are given preference and students enrolled in community colleges and two-year programs are encouraged to apply. The more non-traditional the destination, the better and programs focused on the sciences, engineering or math may be given more credence. Gilman Scholars may earn up to $5,000.
Private Funds
The Rainforest Alliance is an international organization whose mission is to preserve the Latin American Rain Forest by soliciting contributions and providing education and enlightenment in pursuit of the cause. Graduate students whose studies have focused on Forestry or related fields may apply for the Kleinhans Fellowships that provide funding for research in Chile and other Latin American locations. Applicants must be consummate scholars in their field and have a demonstrated financial need for this funding.
Study Abroad Organizations
The Institute for Studies Abroad-Butler University is one of the leading private, study abroad organizations. IFSA specializes in offering innovative and compelling programs of study in a wide range of international regions. Students interested in their Chile program are welcome to apply for the IFSA Scholarships. These awards, generally funded by the organization, provide a significant number of scholarships to eligible applicants. Students may apply for summer, semester and year-long program scholarships that range from $500 to $2,500. Candidates are required to have high academic scores as well as financial need.
ICambio is a specialty provider for study abroad programs exclusive to Chile and Argentina. Hundreds of students head off for ICambio programs each year, and a handful of them with an extra $1,000 in their pockets for travel expenses or tuition in Chile, thanks to the ICambio Scholarships. Applicants compete by writing a 500-word essay on their program goals and how it will enrich their lives. Programs rely heavily on fluency in Spanish and many studies are in essence advanced language courses.
College Scholarships
Latin American and Iberian Studies students at the University of Richmond may apply for scholarships specifically designed for Spanish majors planning a course of study in Chile:
- The Don Quixote Scholarships are awarded to outstanding students enrolled in a year-long program in Chile and a number of other Latin American countries. Candidates must have impeccable academic records, especially in Spanish. Over $1,000.
- J. Gray Wright Scholarship is based on academic scores and is open to upperclassmen in the department. Applicants may use the over $3,000 in award money for on campus tuition or toward expenses and tuition for applicable abroad studies in Chile.
University of North Carolina students pursuing studies in Chile may apply for a couple of scholarships through the Latin American Studies Department:
- Anthony and Hope Harrington Study Abroad Scholarship is awarded to students in a range of disciplines who show outstanding academic motivation.
- Bejarano-Benning Scholarships is given to a number of applicants in various disciplines.
The University of Michigan’s Vincenti Scholarships are designed for students studying programs in the Romance languages, including arts and culture. Santiago, Chile is the site for one of the programs and applicants may earn up to $3,000 if they qualify. Selection is heavily weighted on the student’s academic record.
