Scholarship Programs for Guatemala
Pure Central America
Guatemala is part of Central America, sandwiched between Mexico and Belize to the north and the Honduras and El Salvador to the south. There are Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean coastlines. Students seek out Guatemala for language and culture studies, archaeology and environmental studies. Ecologically the country provides mountains, sensitive rain forest, Mayan ruins and a rare peek into indigenous cultures.
Government Funding
Undergraduate Pell Grant recipients interested in studying in Guatemala should consider applying for the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships. The program is funded by the federal government whose primary purpose is diversifying the next generation of global leaders and decision makers. Up until recently disadvantaged students, both socially and economically, were a rarity in international study programs, but the Gilman program has put a stop to that. In fact these are extremely generous awards and go to the most underrepresented populations. Besides being a Pell Grant recipient students must be top-notch scholars. Programs are awarded for challenge and innovation. Awards are up to $5,000 and over 700 are given yearly.
The Fulbright Scholarships are perhaps the most well known and highly regarded. The U.S. State Department sponsors the program that has been in place since the late 1940s. The goal has always been to create multi-cultural collaboration between countries and cultures. Undergraduate and graduate students with outstanding academic records and a particular interest in an international research and/or studies program in Guatemala may apply. These are hotly contested programs and student proposals must be well planned and in tune with the Fulbright mission.
College Scholarships
The Department of Latin American and Iberian Studies at the University of Richmond offers the Don Quixote Scholarships specially designed for students who will undertake studies in certain Latin American countries, including Guatemala. This is a merit-based award and eligible applicants must also have an advanced knowledge of Spanish. Up to $1,100 available.
Private Scholarships
The Rainforest Alliance is a world leader in Rain Forest conservation. To those ends the organization is dedicated to supporting the education of future leaders in the field. The Kleinhans Fellowship supports the research of graduate and post-graduate students whose majors have been related to forestry, conservation, natural resource management and whose career interests are heavily invested in similar issues in the South American Rain Forest, including the sensitive areas in Guatemala. In fact, the Mayan Rain Forest is considered to be one of the most endangered. The $15,000 Kleinhans Fellows are chosen primarily on the merit of their proposed research and its applicability to the area and the mission of Rainforest Alliance.
Rotary International is a worldwide leader in peace efforts and a major supporter of humanitarian projects throughout the world. The organization also funds hundreds of highly sought after scholarships that make it possible for exemplary students to go abroad, to such places as Guatemala. Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships are available for Guatemala and eligible applicants are encouraged to apply. Candidates must be pursuing programs that stimulate humanitarian efforts or involve peace studies. Applicants are expected to be high achievers both academically and in their personal lives. Recipients are required to make a presentation on their Guatemala experience once they return home, to an audience of Rotarians. Up to $26,000 is given for each of these scholarships.
