Study Abroad Scholarships in Morocco
Catch the Marrakesh Express to Study Abroad Scholarships
Romantic, spicy Morocco has lit up imaginations for centuries. Located along the northern edge of the African continent, Morocco is a meld of cultures and languages. She is also often caught up in renegade politics and social upheaval. But this hotbed of Middle East and North African unrest remains a very in-demand place to study, especially for the student heavily invested in Middle Eastern and Islamic studies.
Government Scholarships
The Federal government has an ulterior motive for kicking big time scholarships into the waiting areas of students pursuing studies in Morocco and other critical needs areas. The National Security Education Program was established to boost scholarship in language and culture critical to the U.S. security concerns. The Boren Scholarships are aimed at both undergraduate and graduate students and provide whopping scholarships for those who qualify. Eligible students must be academically talented and demonstrate some financial need. Candidates must be engaging in a program of study in Morocco that immerses them in the Arabic language at the vernacular level and offers them the chance to experience life and culture. The hitch to the Boren Scholarships is the service for payment deal students must agree to. One year of scholarship support means students owe one year of service after graduation to the Department of Homeland Security or the National Security Agency.
- National Flagship Language Program is an auxiliary scholarship of the Boren group. Undergraduates willing to exclusively study a critical needs language, like Arabic, may receive scholarships to spend time in Morocco for full-time language studies. Once again, studies must be focused on the vernacular or common language.
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships are designed to offer disadvantaged students the opportunity to study abroad in a non-traditional country, like Morocco. The purpose is to sew the seeds for a more diversified global leadership. Eligible students must be severely financially disadvantaged and be recipients of Pell Grants. Preference is given to those most underrepresented in study abroad programs and minorities. Up to $5,000 in awards available.
- Critical Need Language Supplements award an additional $3,000 to qualified students who will also be studying a critical needs language, including Arabic.
Private Organizations
Ambassadorial Scholarships from Rotary International may also be rich resources for scholarships. Morocco is one of the Rotary’s suggested areas of study. Students interested in a Rotary scholarship should be prepared to participate in cultural exchange and programs that focus on service. Recipients must be willing to offer a comprehensive presentation to Rotarians upon completion of the program.
The School for International Training (SIT) is one of the leading travel abroad organizations. The Middle East and Islamic Studies Scholarships award those students pursuing studies in Islamic cultures and in the Middle East.
College Scholarships
Washington State University students pursuing abroad studies in non-traditional countries should make sure to apply for the Marie Wright Scholarship for Non-Traditional Locations. The most significant determining factor in the selection process is destination: preference is shown to students heading off to countries in the Middle East or Africa, including Morocco. Candidates must also prove a solid academic record.
The University of Georgia offers a very comprehensive program in Islamic Studies from a bird’s eye view inside Morocco. What’s nice about this program is that undergraduate Georgia residents often receive the Georgia HOPE Scholarship, which is funded by proceeds from the state lottery. The HOPE Scholarship automatically covers the associated cost for this program, except for the travel expenses. Other scholarships that apply to study abroad students include:
- Katherine Murphy Scholarships go to outstanding students heading off to their first study abroad experience.
- UGA Alumni Scholarships are also for first time study abroad students.