Scholarships in Oman
Diverse and Culturally Confident
There are a couple of good reasons why Oman has remained the wallflower of the Middle East. The country, called a sultanate, is one of the more hospitable and safe countries in the region. Students are welcomed especially for language, culture and religious study all of which are strongly represented, without the typical exclusion accorded other cultures and ideas.
Government Scholarships
Every undergraduate student secretly wishes they could win a Gilman Scholarship. The prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships have become de rigueur for disadvantaged and underrepresented student populations in the international studies scene. The program is designed by the federal government expressly to diversify the next generation of business and industry movers and shakers. To be eligible for a scholarship to study in Oman applicants must be Pell Grant recipients and academically talented and motivated. Monetary awards may be as much as $5,000.
In response to the overwhelming shortage of highly educated security professionals in critical languages and cultures like Arabic, the National Security Education Program came up with the David L. Boren Scholarships. If you thought the Gilman Scholarships were a big deal, these are even more in-demand. The NSEP scholarships are open to undergrads and grads pursuing challenging and non-traditional studies like that in Oman. Students must be able to experience Arabic in its vernacular or common form as well as the culture of Oman. This is a scholarship for service program, meaning you must be willing to return professional service to the U.S. government after graduation and preference is given to those who are willing to consider long-term careers in national security. Awards are up to $26,000.
Study Abroad Organizations
The program in Oman: Political Culture and Development, offered by the School for International Training (SIT) is designed similarly to the organization’s other innovate study abroad programs. SIT is a leading study abroad organization packaging a healthy number of international programs designed for today’s college students. Participants in the Oman program should first check with their college for complementary scholarships for the SIT program or apply for the following scholarships sponsored directly through SIT:
- Middle East and Islamic Studies Scholarships provide auxiliary funding for students in the Oman program. Awards are given based on academic merit and financial need.
- Compton Fund rewards students in sustainable development programs, like that in Oman; by offering scholarships based on merit and need.
- SIT Fund is the organization’s most general and widely awarded. Scholarships may be from a couple of hundred to a couple of thousand dollars.
- Diversity Fund is designed for disadvantaged students.
- HBCU Fund goes to students participating in a SIT program who attend one of the Historically Black Colleges.
- Sally Bragg Memorial Fund rewards and outstanding female whose studies are particularly focused on peace and humanitarian studies and efforts.
College Scholarships
The Marie Wright Scholarship for Non-Traditional Locations kicks in additional scholarship money to Washington State University students who choose Oman or another Middle East country in which to study. Scholarships are merit-based and available to undergraduates who are in at least their second year.
Georgetown University students majoring in Arabic Studies may qualify for the Sultan Qaboos bin-Said Arabic Language and Culture Scholarship funded by the Sultanate of Oman. GU’s Arabic Studies Department is one of the most notable and provides programs from Bachelors through Ph.D. Students have numerous opportunities to pursue language studies abroad. Awards are based on academic merit. Funding may vary.
