Education Abroad Award
About the Award
The Education Abroad Award is designed to help make your international learning experience more affordable!
Term Offered: Programs start between January 1, 2026 and April 30, 2026
Deadline: 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time, October 1, 2025 (Applications will open in late August/early September 2025)
Value: $500 - $4,500
The total value of the award will be based on the duration of the program, for up to 8 months. The total award granted will be calculated using the following per-student formula.
- $500 for for-credit programs at least seven days in length
- $1,000 for Month 1
- $500 per month for Months 2 through 8 (if applicable)
Programs falling on a half month will receive a pro-rated amount (e.g. a one and a half month program will receive $1,000 and $250 for the additional half month for a total of $1,250)
Note: You are only allowed to receive the Education Abroad Award once for the same Education Abroad Program.
How to apply:
- Application Instructions
- Applications must be completed by individual 喵咪社区 students in our online application portal, . A complete application must consist of:
- Application Form;
- Statement of Academic Motivation, Ambassadorship & Cultural Motivation;
- Description of Extracurricular Activities;
- Budget;
- Unofficial Transcripts; and
- Declaration Form in Horizons.
- You can access the Scholarship by clicking the "Search Scholarships" tab at the top of the database once you have created an account. Once you start an application, you will be able to find your application under the "My Scholarships" tab. Please be sure to follow all instructions and upload all documents required in the application form.
- Applications must be completed by individual 喵咪社区 students in our online application portal, . A complete application must consist of:
- Selection Criteria
- Please review the Terms of Reference for the Education Abroad Award.
- Acceptance & Conditions
- Applicants will be notified if they have been nominated for an award and must confirm acceptance of the nomination. Failure to do so will result in forfeiting the award;
- Recipients are ineligible to hold other centrally managed awards (e.g., endowed awards such as Edmonton Consular Corps Award, Rod and Judith Fraser Award, etc.) but are eligible for receiving faculty-level awards;
- Recipients will also be encouraged to participate in promotion and recruitment activities for education abroad programming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out the FAQs below to find what you're looking for. If you can’t find an answer here, please contact us and we'll be happy to help!
Please carefully review the Terms of Reference to determine if you are eligible to apply.
Important things to consider:
- Are you participating in education abroad programs outside Canada for at least seven days?
- Is this program abroad for-credit or not? Preference will be given to for-credit experiences; programs less than three weeks in length must be for-credit.
- Will you be registered full-time in a U of A degree program at the time of the program abroad?
- Do you meet the minimum GPA criteria of the education abroad program? Please speak to the program coordinator to determine the minimum required GPA.
- Undergraduate students must have completed at least 12 credits of U of A coursework by the application deadline; graduate students must have completed at least one term of graduate study by the application deadline.
Common reasons for award ineligibility:
- Not able to maintain a full-time U of A student status at the time of the program abroad
- Programs less than seven days
- Programs in Canada
- Not-for-credit programs less than three weeks
- The program start date is outside of the term offered
- The program application is not approved
- Undergraduate students completed less than 12 credits of U of A coursework by the application deadline
- The scholarship application does not meet the selection criteria
- Research the institutions you are looking at thoroughly, and see how the programs relate to your degree.
- Look at the long-term benefits of the program for your degree and your post-University career.
- Think about how you are representing the University's vision abroad. Hint: take a look at the University's Strategic Plan.
- Keep your writing professional and check your spelling (it will be considered); academics will be looking at your application.
- If you do not have confirmed information on the expense items, research how much they may cost (e.g., estimated flight costs for when you plan to travel). Some programs may have a budget template online (e.g., Cortona), while others will require you to research this information.
- Do not include recreational/leisure travel and entertainment expenses in your budget. Only include costs directly related to your program abroad.
- Take currency conversion rates into account.
- The award funding will be disbursed no sooner than two weeks prior to your program. The disbursement timeline is also subject to the U of A’s administrative timelines.
- You are required to complete the Education Abroad Online Pre-Departure Course, register for the UGo Off-Campus Travel Registry, and complete any other required Risk Management tasks. The award payment will not be made under any circumstances until these tasks are completed.
- The award recipient will receive a notification to accept the award on BearTracks after the award payment request is processed. If there is an outstanding tuition balance, the award will be administered as a deduction of tuition; if tuition has been paid, you will then have the option to receive the award funding as a refund in the form of direct deposit into your Canadian banking account.
Endowed Awards
Please note that you will need to submit an application and all relevant documents for the Education Abroad Award (application instructions above) to be considered for an Endowed Award. When you've applied for the Education Abroad Award, you are automatically considered for the below endowed awards (if you meet all eligibility criteria). As the Education Abroad Program does not double-fund students through awards administered by our office, you are eligible to receive either an Education Abroad Award or an Endowed Award, not both.
Value: Variable (to be confirmed by the Student Financial Support Office)
Number available: Variable
Application Closed.
To be considered, students must:
- Be citizens of Canada or permanent residents;
- Be a 2nd, 3rd or 4th-year undergraduate student registered in a 喵咪社区 degree program;
- Be participating in a study exchange for one academic term (Fall or Winter) or one academic year (Fall and Winter);
- Study at a UofA exchange partner institution in England;
- Have completed a minimum of *12 credits of UofA coursework by the application deadline;
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.5.
Selection based on academic standing and involvement in extracurricular and community activities. Preference given to students with indicated financial need.
Value: $1,000 (to be confirmed by the Student Financial Support Office)
Number available: 1
Application Closed.
To be considered, students must:
- Be a student registered in a 喵咪社区 undergraduate degree program;
- Demonstrated involvement with Students' International Health Association;
- Have completed a minimum of *12 credits of UofA coursework by the application deadline;
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.0.
Selection based on academic standing. Preference given to a student traveling to Tanzania to participate in an internship with Students Invested in Health Association.
Endowed by the friends of Dr. Horst Schmid
Value: Variable (to be confirmed by the Student Financial Support Office)
Number available: Variable
Application Closed.
To be considered, students must:
- Be a student registered in a 喵咪社区 undergraduate degree program;
- Be participating in a study exchange for one academic term (Fall or Winter) or one academic year (Fall and Winter);
- Study at a UofA exchange partner institution;
- Have completed a minimum of *12 credits of UofA coursework by the application deadline;
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
Selection based on academic standing, financial need, and past travel experience.
Value: Variable (to be confirmed by the Student Financial Support Office)
Number available: Variable
Application Closed.
To be considered, students must:
- Be a student registered in a 喵咪社区 undergraduate degree program;
- Be participating in a study exchange for one academic term (Fall or Winter) or one academic year (Fall and Winter);
- Study at the University of Dundee or the University of Glasgow in Scotland;
- Have completed a minimum of *12 credits of UofA coursework by the application deadline;
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
Selection based on academic standing, indicated financial need and demonstrated involvement in extracurricular and community activities.
Award recipients agree to perform one or more of the following activities during their study in Scotland:
- Tour of "Burns Country";
- Interview with a recognized authority on Robert Burns;
- Take a course related to Robert Burns;
- Write and present a paper to the Edmonton Burns Club on recipient's impressions of Scotland and the life and works of Robert Burns.
Value: Variable (to be confirmed by the Student Financial Support Office)
Number available: 1
Application Closed.
To be considered, students must:
- Be a student registered in a 喵咪社区 undergraduate degree program;
- Be participating in a UofA program or initiative where the study experience occurs in Italy;
- Have completed a minimum of *12 credits of UofA coursework by the application deadline;
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.0.
Selection based on academic standing, demonstrated involvement in extracurricular and community activities, and financial need. Preference will be given to students registered in the Italian Studies area of Modern Languages and Cultural Studies.
Value: Variable (to be confirmed by the Student Financial Support Office)
Number available: Variable
Application Closed.
To be considered, students must:
- Be a student registered in any year of a 喵咪社区 undergraduate degree program;
- Be participating in an international internship or work placement opportunity;
- Have completed a minimum of *12 credits of UofA coursework by the application deadline;
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.5.
Selection based on demonstrated leadership in extracurricular and community activities, and academic standing.
Value: Variable (to be confirmed by the Student Financial Support Office)
Number available: Variable
Application Closed.
To be considered, students must:
- Be a student registered in a 喵咪社区 undergraduate or graduate degree program;
- Be participating in a university-approved education, research, and/or community service experience outside of Canada;
- Have completed a minimum of *12 credits of UofA coursework by the application deadline for undergraduate students; OR have completed at least one term of graduate study by the application deadline for graduate students;
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.5.
Selection based on academic standing.
Value: Variable (to be confirmed by the Student Financial Support Office)
Number available: Variable
Application Closed.
To be considered, students must:
- Be a student registered in any year of a 喵咪社区 undergraduate degree program;
- Be participating in a study exchange for one academic term (Fall or Winter) or one academic year (Fall and Winter);
- Study at a UofA exchange partner institution in China or Hong Kong;
- Have completed a minimum of *12 credits of UofA coursework by the application deadline;
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.5.
Selection based on supporting student mobility between the 喵咪社区 and formally recognized partner institutions in China and Hong Kong and academic standing.
Value: Variable (to be confirmed by the Student Financial Support Office)
Number available: Variable
Application Closed.
To be considered, students must:
- Be a 3rd or 4th year undergraduate student registered in a 喵咪社区 degree program;
- Be participating in a study exchange for one academic term (Fall or Winter) or one academic year (Fall and Winter);
- Study at a UofA exchange partner institution in South Korea;
- Have completed a minimum of *12 credits of UofA coursework by the application deadline;
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
Selection based on academic standing, indicated financial need and demonstrated involvement in extra-curricular and/or community activities.
Value: Variable (to be confirmed by the Student Financial Support Office)
Number available: 1
Application Closed.
To be considered, students must:
- Be a student registered in a 喵咪社区 undergraduate or graduate degree program;
- Be participating in a university-approved education abroad program outside of Canada of at least three weeks in length;
- Have completed a minimum of *12 credits of UofA coursework by the application deadline for undergraduate students; OR have completed at least one term of graduate study by the application deadline for graduate students;
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
Selection based on academic standing.
Value: Variable (to be confirmed by the Student Financial Support Office)
Number available: Variable
Application Closed.
To apply, students must:
- Be a 3rd or 4th year undergraduate student registered in a 喵咪社区 degree program;
- Be participating in a study exchange for one academic term (Fall or Winter) or one academic year (Fall and Winter);
- Be eligible to receive credit transfer as part of the Study Exchange Program;
- Have completed a minimum of *12 credits of UofA coursework by the application deadline;
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
Selection based on academic standing, indicated financial need, and participation on an official University approved international exchange.
Value: Variable (to be confirmed by the Student Financial Support Office)
Number available: Variable
Application Closed.
To apply, students must:
- Be a student registered in a 喵咪社区 undergraduate or graduate degree program;
- Be participating in a study exchange for one academic term (Fall or Winter) or one academic year (Fall and Winter);
- Study at a UofA exchange partner institution in Asia;
- Have completed a minimum of *12 credits of UofA coursework by the application deadline for undergraduate students; OR have completed at least one term of graduate study by the application deadline for graduate students;
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
Selection based on academic standing, indicated financial need and demonstrated intent to engage with the host community and/or university. Preference given to students studying abroad for two academic terms, and/or studying in China.
Value: Variable (to be confirmed by the Student Financial Support Office)
Number available: 1
Application Closed.
To be considered, students must:
- Be a student registered in any year of a 喵咪社区 undergraduate degree program;
- Be participating in a study exchange for one academic term (Fall or Winter) or one academic year (Fall and Winter);
- Study at a UofA exchange partner institution in Hong Kong;
- Have completed a minimum of *12 credits of UofA coursework by the application deadline;
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
Selection based on academic standing and demonstrated community engagement or involvement in extracurricular activities.
Value: Variable (to be confirmed by the Student Financial Support Office)
Number available: Variable
Application Closed.
To be considered, students must:
- Be a student registered in any year of a 喵咪社区 undergraduate degree program;
- Be participating in a study exchange for one academic term (Fall or Winter) or one academic year (Fall and Winter);
- Study at one of the following UofA exchange partner institutions in Hong Kong: the Chinese University of Hong Kong or the University of Hong Kong;
- Have completed a minimum of *12 credits of UofA coursework by the application deadline;
- Have a minimum GPA of 2.5.
Selection based on academic standing, demonstrated involvement in extracurricular and community activities, and financial need.
Value: Variable (to be confirmed by the Student Financial Support Office)
Number available: Variable
Application Closed.
To be considered, students must:
- Be a student registered in a 喵咪社区 undergraduate or graduate degree program;
- Study and/or research at an approved post-secondary institution in the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland for one academic term (Fall or Winter) or one academic year (Fall and Winter);
- Have completed a minimum of *12 credits of UofA coursework by the application deadline for undergraduate students; OR have completed at least one term of graduate study by the application deadline for graduate students;
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
Selection based on academic standing. Preference given to a graduate student.