Scholarships for Finland
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Finland offers students the opportunity to explore a wide array of studies in a rather non-traditional country. In many cases you may even be able to find programs offered in English. Finland is heavily invested in educating its youth and for this reason the country is riddled with universities and “polytechnics” providing multi-disciplinary and professional and technical programs.
If you participate in international studies in Finland you will be close to Russia, Sweden and Norway. You will find programs in almost all types of studies from arts and culture to the sciences and technology. If you know some Finnish or Swedish you will fare much better and in some cases scholarships require you know a bit of the language.
Government Scholarships
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs funds the now well-known Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships. The awards are competitive thanks to the over 700 awarded to undergraduate students across the U.S. The goal of program is twofold: provide a future where global leadership is much more diverse and make it possible for traditionally disenfranchised students to participate in international studies. Eligible applicants must be academically heads and shoulders above most of their peers, interested in immersing themselves in challenging abroad studies and pursuing a program in a non-traditional location. Candidates must be receiving Pell Grants to qualify. Those from minority backgrounds, community college students and those with disabilities are given first preference. Awards are up to $5,000 depending on need.
Private Organizations
Rotary International Ambassadorial Scholarships reward top-notch students heading off to international studies with humanitarian programs laid out. The Rotary does not fund travel to every destination, but Finland is one of them. Students are free to pursue a wide array of disciplines, but the most important is the focus of the program. Students who study or participate in aid-based programs are given preference. Candidates must be willing to make a presentation to a local Rotary upon return to the States. Applications are reviewed for destination, planned program, educational fit with student’s major and in light of academic and financial factors.
The American-Scandinavian Foundation provides graduate level fellowships for study in Finland and other Scandinavian countries. Fellowship awards provide complete travel expenses, allowance and tuition costs. Eligible applicants must be proficient in the Finnish language and have a well-planned research project to qualify. Preference is given to those candidates who are first time applicants.
Another organization devoted to supporting Scandinavian research is the Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Study. The Birgit Baldwin Fellowship in Scandinavian Studies is their nod to “Nordic” studies. Eligible applicants must be entering their post-graduate studies with a significant research project or dissertation on Finnish literature and other arts. The nature and depth of the project must require that students be present in Finland to access resources. Proficiency in the language is a must, along with an outstanding academic record and financial need. Awards are up to $20,000.
The Center for International Mobility (CIMO) is a leading organization providing international studies programs in Finland. Finland is one of the more educationally grounded countries and the university system is comprised of hundreds of universities and “polytechnics.” Students from around the globe are welcome and invited to participate in interdisciplinary studies from undergraduate studies through doctoral research. In fact many programs even offer English options, even though it is desirable for you to know either Finnish or Swedish. CIMO provides hundreds of scholarships to international students based on both academic merit and financial need. For many students this is the only way a program of study in Finland is affordable.
College Scholarships
Business students at Michigan State University Center for International Business Education and Research have a unique opportunity to participate in the Business Studies at the Helsinki School of Economics and Business Administration. Besides being the capital of Finland, Helsinki is a leading European business hub. MSU offers competitive scholarships to outstanding participants in the Helsinki Business program based on academic accomplishment, especially in the department, and financial need for the travel funding.
