WASHINGTON, D.C., November 13, 2020 – The Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) has increased access to international education by granting 24 scholarships to US students consistently underrepresented in study abroad. These flexible scholarships are deferrable through spring 2022, a deferral period that has been extended to help students survive the current global disruption to higher education and international travel caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Including this new cohort, a total of 614 scholars, including minority, first-generation college and community college students, have benefited from over $2.2 million in scholarships granted since FEA’s inception in 2010. Of these scholars, 149 have been awarded deferrable scholarships during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This application cycle, 92% of awarded scholars identify as students of Color: 25% Black/African-American, 33% Asian/South Asian, 25% Hispanic/Latinx, and 8% identified as mixed race. Additionally, 84% of these scholars are first-generation college students, and 29% either transferred from or currently attend community college.
“We are honored to continue operations and award these deserving students during such an uncertain time,” said FEA Executive Director Jennifer Calvert. “We hope to remain a vital resource to students with financial need as the pandemic subsides, so they can fulfill their dreams of study abroad.”
FEA Scholars:
- Shadia Amir, Western Washington University, Thailand, NAFSA Tamara H. Bryant Memorial Scholarship
- Joy Bernal, University of South Carolina, Spain, Malú Alvarez Global Access Scholarship
- Jessica Davis, Boise State University, India, SITA Nallennam Scholarship
- Haroon Farrukh, University of Maryland, College Park, Spain, Rainbow Scholarship
- Julie Kim, Temple University, Italy, Malú Alvarez Global Access Scholarship
- Allison Lai, Baruch College CUNY, Japan
- Lizbeth Luna, Fullerton College, Czech Republic, Breakout Scholarship for Community College Students
- Nayancie Matthews, Baruch College CUNY, Spain, NAFSA Tamara H. Bryant Memorial Scholarship
- Dat Nguyen, Macalester College, Denmark, The A. Rewari Family Scholarship for Study in Denmark
- Esofi Nunyi, New York University, England, Cyril Taylor Memorial Scholarship for Study in the UK
- Karla Olmos, University of San Diego, Italy, Malú Alvarez Global Access Scholarship
- Dekonte Pajibo, University of Texas at Austin, France, NAFSA Tamara H. Bryant Memorial Scholarship
- Lucwilerme Raymond, University of Miami, England, Cyril Taylor Memorial Scholarship for Study in the UK
- Tashi Sherpa, SUNY Geneseo, Denmark, The A. Rewari Family Scholarship for Study in Denmark
FEA Access Partner Scholars:
- Keyla Abreu, Hunter College, England, CAPA The Global Education Network
- Jessica Arroyo, Texas Woman’s University, England, AIFS Study Abroad
- Viviana Avila Gonzalez, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Spain, University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC)
- Michaela Clarke, Florida Gulf Coast University, Ireland, CAPA The Global Education Network
- Addie Perez, Rollins College, Portugal, SIT Study Abroad
- Tina Pham, Brandeis University, Denmark, DIS Study Abroad
- Audrey Razak, Parsons School of Design, Denmark, DIS Study Abroad
- Chrisanthi Ropokis, Vassar College, Australia, Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA)
- Douglas Vantran, Brandeis University, China, CET Academic Programs
- Yihan Wu, Harvard University, Denmark, DIS Study Abroad
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About the Fund for Education Abroad
The Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) is a 501(c)(3) whose mission is to provide scholarships and ongoing support to students who are underrepresented among the U.S. study abroad population, making life-changing, international experiences accessible to all by supporting minority and first-generation college students before, during, and after they participate in education abroad programs. FEA Access Partners participate on the FEA Access Advisory Board (AAB), established to share best practices in international education and actively engage in FEA’s mission to increase the number of Americans studying abroad. FEA is a Guidestar Gold participant, and won the 2019 Scholarship Provider of the Year Award from the National Scholarship Providers Association, the 2015 Diversity Abroad Excellence in Diversifying International Education Award and GoAbroad.com’s 2015 Innovation in Philanthropy Award. Follow FEA at www.fundforeducationabroad.org, and on Facebook, LinkedIn, Tumblr and on Twitter: @FEAScholarships.