Scholarships for France
Attend College with the French
You can study just about anything in France, from the language to the humanities and the sciences. France remains one of the most alluring and sophisticated of all the European destinations and students regularly flock to all corners of the country. Of course Paris attracts many while smaller regions offer more in depth cultural experiences. There are limitless programs to consider, from those offered through study abroad organizations to those targeting specialized studies, and more general programs sponsored through colleges and universities.
Don’t forget to take time off from your studies in France to hit the Alps, trip on down to neighboring Spain, and of course, imbibe in much French wine and cuisine.
Study Abroad Organizations
International Studies Abroad (ISA) sponsors the highly competitive Carlos Castañeda Memorial Scholarship designed for students heading off to studies in Spanish-speaking countries or France. Applicants must have a working knowledge of the language to be considered for the up to $2,500 in award money. Over three dozen scholarships are awarded annually for summer, semester or yearlong studies. Eligible applicants must have at least a 3.25 GPA to be considered, in combination with financial need. ISA maintains lucrative relationships with hundreds of U.S. colleges and universities, helping to make programs accessible and affordable.
Cultural Experiences Abroad (CEA) is one of the newer additions to the realm of study abroad organizations, but the stable of programs is no less auspicious. CEA also has instituted some very attractive scholarship funds including the Chris Towns France Scholarship. This fund, in memory of a former CEA participant, provides up to $1,000 to an eligible applicant. Candidates for the award are chosen based on academic merit, an essay, level of interest in international studies, and related collegiate activities. A number of other CEA scholarships are awarded to students who are going abroad for particular disciplines:
- Arts Scholarships go to outstanding Art majors whose travels have them studying art and culture in places like France.
- Liberal Arts and Sciences Scholarships offer students going for international study in range of disciplines from English to Chemistry.
- Business Scholarships are a boon for those whose international business studies would have them experience the culture and economy first-hand in a country such as France.
- Summer Scholarships provide $500 awards to outstanding students who are interested in a summer study abroad program.
Government Resources
Available through the French Embassy and designed to provide continuing collaboration between U.S. and French educational institutions, the notable Chateaubriand Scholarships are meted out to the best U.S. doctoral level scholars. Applicants for this highly competitive program must have finely honed dissertation projects in the works and a requirement to conduct related research in France for up to a year. Doctoral candidates may be working on topics in a wide range of disciplines. Chateaubriand Scholars earn more than $2,000 each month and are not required to know French to apply.
Private Funding
The Phi Beta Kappa Society is universally recognized for its allegiance to honoring and selecting exclusive academic scholars into its hallowed folds. In the interest of supporting its members, the organization sponsors variation of scholarships including the highly competitive Walter J. Jensen Fellowships. This program is exclusively designed for graduate Phi Beta Kappa members whose research into the language and/or culture requires them to be present in France. The $10,000 awards are good for a year of research in the country. Partial travel expenses are cover as well.
The Harriet and Leon Pomerance Fellowships are a product of the Archaeological Institute of America. The not-for-profit organization is dedicated to supporting American archaeology professionals and providing the educational link between scholars and the public at large. The Pomerance Fellowships provide a graduate or post-graduate in Bronze Age studies with a $4,000 award for a year of archaeological research in a Mediterranean country, including France.
The Camargo Foundation in France is a type of artists’ colony that offers residential fellowships for promising writers and artists who have a need and/or desire to work in this area of France. Fellowships cover living expenses and a stipend for a semester of study and work. Doctoral candidates whose dissertation research requires a stint in France are also covered under this program. Artists and writers must submit a portfolio of work to be considered.
The world-renowned Newberry Library in Chicago is unequivocally one of the most prestigious places at which scholars may study advanced topics in literature, the humanities and such highly specialized studies as archival preservation and rare texts. Affiliated scholars may apply for competitive École des Chartres Exchange Fellowships that offer once-in-a-lifetime research opportunities for qualified applicants. Fellows are funded for a three-month stint at the École Nationale des Chartres, France’s most acclaimed library sciences institution.
College Scholarships
Schiller International University is an internationally located institution with campuses in Florida as well as in a number of major European cities, Paris and Strasbourg among them. SU provides the perfect mix of English-based disciplines in incredible international locales. Students may opt to study economics or psychology, along with a wide range of other curriculum, while enjoying Paris and the surrounding French countryside. SU offers the following scholarships for U.S. students:
- Benjamin Franklin Scholarships provide a small portion of tuition costs to U.S. undergraduate and graduate students whose combination of academic merit and financial need qualify.
- HBCU Awards are given to outstanding students whose home institution is one of the Historically Black Colleges. Once again, the award is based on both academic skill and financial need.
