Sixty-six awardees will study in 28 countries
WASHINGTON, D.C., November 27, 2023 – The Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) continues to increase access to international education by awarding more than $225,000 in scholarships and funding to 66 undergraduates planning to study abroad in Spring 2024. With this new cohort, a total of 1,091 students with financial need, including students of color, first-generation college students, and community college students, have benefited from more than $3.4 million in scholarships granted since FEA’s inception in 2010.
This cycle, which awards funding for programs taking place between January and May 2024 (including spring semester, J-term/winter break, spring break, and early summer programs), was the second cycle in which applicants’ loans were considered in addition to other factors to determine financial need. Finalists were determined by 88 volunteer reviewers who read and scored 1,455 applications over three review phases.
Of the 66 scholars awarded this application cycle, 90% identify as students of color and 39% identify as LGBTQ+. Males make up 32% of Spring 2024 Scholars; female, 64%; and non-binary, 4.5%. Characteristic of FEA scholars, 88% are first-generation college students, 30% are current or former community college students, and 67% have never left the United States.
“We are grateful to all of FEA’s supporters, donors, and partners who make study abroad scholarships possible,” said FEA Executive Director Angela Schaffer. “FEA is excited to be a part of the Spring 2024 Scholars’ international education journeys.”
FEA awards many different types of scholarships, including Named & Dedicated Scholarships that are funded by specific donors; designated scholarships that are destination- or demographic-specific; and Access Partner Scholarships. FEA Access Partners engage in the mission of the organization through annual support towards co-branded and allocated scholarships, and they participate on the Access Advisory Board, providing critical leadership-level feedback to FEA.
FEA Named & Dedicated Scholarship recipients include:
- Artigas-Etchegaray Family Scholarship: Yinghong Gao, Bentley University, China
- Breakout Scholarship: Katherine Rodriguez, Cosumnes River College, Italy
- Virginia & Robert Craig Scholarship: Paolo Campos, California State University-Stanislaus, South Korea; Shayra Nunez, Franklin & Marshall College, Ireland & Spain
- Cyril Taylor Memorial Scholarship for Study in the United Kingdom: Alimatou Saine, Syracuse University; Cherish McNeil, Hampshire College; Dayana Juarez, University of Alabama at Birmingham; H.S.; Janelle Ramirez, Chapman University; Lidio James Jr., University of Georgia; Monisha Pirela, Central Piedmont Community College; Nehemiah Miggiani, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill; Nicholas Anleu, University of Texas at Austin
- Hiliary Echo Douglas Memorial Scholarship: Vicky Tong, University of South Florida, Thailand
- Gateway International Group Scholarship: Juanito Guzman-Perkins, Western Kentucky University, South Korea; Ko Meh, Western Kentucky University, Tanzania
- J. Scott Van Der Meid Memorial Scholarship: Mohammed Sarwary, Fullerton College, France
- Kacenga-Cladera Family Rainbow Scholarship: Victor Garcia, Chapman University, Semester at Sea (multiple countries)
- Jan Kieling Rainbow Scholarship: Alondra Johnson, Coastal Carolina University, Italy
- Malu Alvarez Global Access Scholarship: Angelyz Acevedo, Kean University, Italy;April Kelly, Pacific Lutheran University, Namibia
- NAFSA Tamara H. Bryant Memorial Scholarship: Danae Watson, DePaul University, Mexico;Elise Robinson, University of Memphis, South Korea; Renaldy Previlon, Bentley University, China; Shia Wade, Hobart & William Smith Colleges, Italy
- David T. Parry Founders Scholarship: Candace Castillo, Saint Edward’s University, South Korea; Jose Jarquin, Georgia State University, Japan; Valentina Ayala-Dean, University of Arizona, Italy
- Pyramid Systems Scholar: Jimena Ames, George Mason University, Belgium
- Rainbow Scholarship: Faith Velez, Arizona State University, Singapore
FEA Access Partner Scholarship recipients include:
- AIFS Access Partner Scholarship: Braxton Turner, Western Kentucky University, Germany; Isabella Moreno, Mt. San Antonio College, Spain
- American University in Cairo Access Partner Scholarship: Ahlam Ahmed, Bard College, Egypt
- University of Auckland: Julian Holman, University of New Mexico, New Zealand
- CEACAPA Access Partner Scholarship: Brenda Dias, Chapman University, Spain; Charlize Roman, West Chester University of Pennsylvania, France; Jamaad Gure, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Spain; James Gallagher, Bentley University, Italy; Jorge Lopez, Siena College, United Kingdom; Louis Aquino, Union College, Australia; Luke Sauceda, Iowa State University, Spain
- CET Academic Programs Access Partner Scholarship: Joshua Burris, Howard University, Brazil
- DIS Access Partner Scholarship (Denmark): Abigail Jack, Barnard College; Adriana Healy, Dickinson College; Annelise Campino, Hobart & William Smith Colleges; Lizbeth Mendoza-Navarrete, Skidmore College; Tia Hammond, Pennsylvania State University
- FIE Access Partner Scholarship (United Kingdom): Macy Ellis, College of Saint Benedict-Saint John’s University; Nikiah Perry, Belmont University
- IFSA: Katarina Dominguez, Franklin & Marshall College, New Zealand
- IFSA-University of Sydney Joint Scholarship (Australia): Halie Ascioti, Colgate University
- Inclusive Ireland Access Partner Scholarship (Ireland): Bianca Lezcano, Susquehanna University; Devin Freeman, Loras College; Jimmy Ndayikengurukiye, Bates College; Nayle Garces, Loras College; Nicole Burgon, Arcadia University; Noel Suarez, University of Wisconsin-Madison; Sara Martinez, DePaul University
- School for Field Studies: Eurnett Christopher, Lafayette College, Turks & Caicos Islands
- SIT Access Partner Scholarship: Michellet Rojas-Brand, Wheaton College, Peru
- University of Sydney Access Partner Scholarship (Australia): Eric Liu, University of Michigan
- USAC Access Partner Scholarship: Yasmin Mousa, University of Houston, South Korea
- USAC Rainbow Scholarship: John Huff, University of Texas at Tyler, Australia
- WorldStrides Access Partner Scholarship: Ashley Jackson, University of Montevallo, South Korea; Ryan Bytton, University of Houston, South Korea
About the Fund for Education Abroad
The Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) supports U.S. students with financial need who are traditionally underrepresented in study abroad. Focused on first-generation college, community college, and minoritized students, FEA has awarded more than $3.4 million in FEA scholarships to more than 1,090 scholars since its founding in 2010. The only national non-profit (501(c)(3)) scholarship provider funded exclusively through philanthropy, FEA supports students before, during, and after their study abroad experience with scholarships and programming. FEA is a Guidestar Gold participant and was awarded the 2023 Organizational Champion Award by Diversity Abroad, the 2020 Innovation in Diversity Award by GoAbroad.com, the 2019 Scholarship Provider of the Year Award by the National Scholarship Providers Association, the 2015 Excellence in Diversity & Inclusion in International Education (EDIIE) Award by Diversity Abroad, and the 2015 Innovation in Philanthropy Award by GoAbroad.com. Follow FEA online and on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter.