Education Abroad Scholarships
Columbus State offers a number of merit-based competitive scholarships to eligible study abroad participants. CSU students enjoy access to a wide pool of funds thanks to generous donors throughout the community. For assistance with writing your scholarship essay, you can make an appointment with a writing tutor at the Academic Center for Tutoring by calling 706-507-8646, visiting the office in Schwob Library (main campus), or clicking Academic Center for Tutoring.
Eligibility Requirements
- Must be enrolled in a CSU approved credit-bearing study abroad program
- Must be currently enrolled in a degree or certificate program at Columbus State University (no transient or dual-enrolled students are allowed to apply)
- *Must complete 5 hours of service at the Center for Global Engagement within one year of return from your study abroad program if you accept a scholarship!
Academic criteria
- Must be in good academic standing
- Enrolled full time, 12-credit hours, at the time of review (unless a senior taking fewer credits their last semester at CSU)
- Minimum 2.75 GPA
Education Abroad Scholarship Application Process
- All application materials are due by 12pm on the indicated deadline depending on your program.
A complete application should include all of the following. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed or considered for funding. A complete application will be reviewed by the faculty committee but it does not guarantee the distribution of funds.
A Statement of Purpose and Need (see description below)
This is a well-composed essay between 500 and 900 words that explains in detail
how studying abroad will impact you academically, professionally, and personally AND
why you should be awarded financial assistance. Please know that saying "you need
money to study abroad" is not enough; instead, your primary goal is to help the review
committee understand why you do.
Faculty/Staff Recommendation
A faculty member of your choice will need to complete the online faculty recommendation
form. It is up to the faculty/staff's discretion if they will support your application,
you might want to consider asking multiple people to complete the recommendation.
Ask a professor who knows you well enough to comment on why you should be awarded
funding.
Application Review
- CGE Scholarship Recommendation
- Request a faculty member of your choice to complete the Online Faculty Recommendation. (TIP: Reach out to the faculty member first for their approval and thank them for their time.)
- Spring Semester and Spring Break Online Faculty/Staff Recommendation
- Summer Programming Online Faculty/Staff Recommendation
- Fall Programming Online Faculty/Staff Recommendation
Scholarship Applications
- Spring/Spring Break Scholarship Application
- Summer Scholarship Application
- Fall Scholarship Application
Note: Students studying abroad with CSU for the first time will receive 5% bonus points toward their application.
Education Abroad Scholarship Deadline 2024-25
| Program | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Spring 2025 Programs | October 16 |
| Summer 2025 Programs | March 07 |
| Fall 2025 Programs | April 04 |
Available Scholarship Funds
Submit only one scholarship application for consideration of all of the below scholarships.
- When you apply for study abroad scholarships at the Center for Global Engagement, the funding comes from the below sources (with the exception of the Towers Scholar Award which is for Honors Program students only).
- Some donors require you to write a letter detailing your experience upon return or even meet them in person. If you're selected for any that have this requirement, you will be notified via email prior to your accepting the award.
- You will only submit 1 Statement of Purpose & Need and request one Faculty Recommendation in order to be considered for the below awards.
John and Lynne Phillips Scholarship
Program requirements:
- Study abroad for all locations
Student requirements:
- Full-time CSU students
- Undergraduate or graduate
- Good academic standing
*Preference given to students who attended Jordan High School, if selected the student is required to meet with the donors*
Award amount: $500-$1,000, depending on the length of program, number of applicants and available funding
Katherine and LeGrand Elebash Scholarship
Program requirements:
- Study abroad for all locations
Student requirements:
- Full-time CSU students
- Undergraduate or graduate
- Good academic standing
Award amount: $500-$1,000, depending on the length of program, number of applicants and available funding
Kidd-Bagley Fund Scholarship
Program requirements:
- Study abroad for all locations
Student requirements:
- Full-time CSU students
- Undergraduate or graduate
- Good academic standing
Award amount: $500-$1,000, depending on the length of program, number of applicants and available funding
Mildred Miller Fort Foundation Scholarship
Program requirements:
- Study abroad or exchange anywhere in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Africa
Student requirements:
- Full-time CSU students
- Undergraduate or graduate
- Good academic standing
Award amount: $500-$1,000, depending on the length of program, number of applicants and available funding
Nakai Fund for Asian Studies Scholarship
Program requirements:
- Study abroad for all locations in Asia
Student requirements:
- Full-time CSU students
- Undergraduate or graduate
- Good academic standing
Award amount: $500-$1,000, depending on the length of program, number of applicants and available funding
Spencer Scholarship
Program requirements:
- CSU in Oxford Visiting Student Program
Student requirements:
- CSU in Oxford Visiting Student in good academic standing
- Award amount: Up to $12,000 to cover additional tuition at Oxford University
Towers Scholar Award (Honors only)
Program requirements:
- Must be a CSU Towers Scholar recipient (contact Dr. Cindy Ticknor with the Honors College to check eligibility).
Student requirements:
- Student must have 60 or more hours completed
- Award amount: Up to $3,200
NOTE: a separate online application form is required to request this funding, which is available from the Honors College only.
Note: The Maximum award for programs under 2 weeks is $1,000**
