Scholarship Information

At International Programs, our goal is to make studying abroad accessible to all students, regardless of their financial situation. We do not want financial challenges to stop you from applying to attend one of our programs. To that end, we encourage all students to seek scholarship opportunities to support their time abroad. This page provides a description of the scholarships offered by the International Programs Office as well as information on outside opportunities and scholarship directories. Please contact our office if you are in need of additional guidance and we will do our utmost to assist you.

If you receive institutional grants and/or scholarships in Malibu, this aid usually applies while you are abroad as long as you remain eligible.

If you are receiving departmental or athletic scholarships, check with the department or coach to see how your financial aid will transfer.

If you have questions about your specific financial aid package or how your aid will transfer while abroad, please contact the Financial Aid Office.

To learn more about the cost of studying abroad with IP, visit our Finances page.

International Programs Scholarships

The International Programs Scholarship is intended to assist students in covering the extra cost of studying abroad. While International Programs Scholarships are primarily need-based, special circumstances may also be considered.

Students are strongly encouraged to simultaneously apply for admission into a program and for scholarships by the Priority Deadline. After the Priority Deadline, scholarship applications will be considered on a rolling basis, although there are limited funds.

Students who receive a scholarship for a semester program are typically awarded between $500 - $2,500.

Students who receive a scholarship for a summer program are typically awarded between $250 - $1,000.

In order to receive an International Programs scholarship award, you must sign your International Programs contract and participate in your program. International Programs Scholarships will be rescinded if you become ineligible to attend your program or if you withdraw from your program or the university.

How to Apply:

When a student begins an application for any Pepperdine IP program through the ViaTRM portal, they will automatically receive instructions and an optional form to apply for the International Programs Scholarship through the ViaTRM portal, as well.

Please reach out to international.programs@pepperdine.edu with any questions.

Gilman International Scholarship

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship provides awards for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving federal Pell Grant funding at a 2-year or 4-year college or university to participate in study abroad programs worldwide. This scholarship would apply to all academic year international programs (not summer). Over 700 scholarships of up to $5,000 will be awarded. Please make sure your program location qualifies for the scholarship by visiting the Gilman International Scholarship's official website.

David L. Boren National Security Education Program (NSEP) Undergraduate Scholarship

Founded by the National Security Education Program, this scholarship is guided by a mission that seeks to lead in development of the national capacity to educate U.S. citizens, understand foreign cultures, strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness and enhance international cooperation and security. Recipients incur a service requirement which is fulfilled by working in the federal government for one year following completion of the undergraduate degree. This scholarship applies to only students studying abroad in Argentina (year or semester). You can earn up to $10,000 for a semester, or $20,000 for the academic year. This application will be reviewed by a campus committee. For more information, visit the Boren Awards official website.

The German Academic Exchange Service Scholarship (DAAD)

Each year this program supports approximately 50-60 U.S. and Canadian undergraduate students. They hope to help these students reach their academic goals while building important and lasting bonds of friendship between their countries and introducing them to the benefits of the German higher education system. Highly qualified undergraduate students are invited to apply for scholarships funding study, senior thesis research and/or internships in Germany from four to ten months. The Undergraduate Scholarship Committee will not review freshman applicants unless they prove that they have sophomore standing. Scholarships are available either as part of an organized study abroad program or as part of an individual, student-designed study abroad semester or year. For detailed program information, visit the DAAD's official website.

Tortuga Backpacks Study Abroad Scholarship

The Tortuga Backpacks Study Abroad Scholarship is awarded biannually to passionate students who want to explore the world. Winners of the Tortuga Backpacks Scholarship will receive a $1,000 scholarship for studying abroad and a Tortuga Travel Backpack. Tortuga Backpacks Scholarship Website. Visit the Tortuga Backpacks official website.

The Fund for Education Abroad Scholarship

The Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) is committed to increasing opportunities for dedicated American students to participate in high-quality, rigorous education abroad programs by reducing financial restrictions through the provision of grants and scholarships. Scholarships are $5,000 per semester or $10,000 for the year and are not limited to specific programs, destinations, or fields of study. FEA gives priority to underrepresented students (including but not limited to minorities, students planning to study in non-traditional destinations and community college students).

Unlike many other scholarship programs, FEA asks scholars to apply one year in advance of their academic abroad year. Therefore the current application is for students looking to study abroad during the 2023-2024 academic year or during summer 2023. For more information, visit the FEA website.

Hostelling International USA

At the core of HI USA's mission is our desire to support people of all ages in their pursuit of travel as a means of better understanding the world and people from different cultures. They have established the HI USA Community Hostelling Fund to support travel scholarship programs in 13 metropolitan areas across the country aimed at helping travelers aged 18 to 30 realize their dreams. Learn more here.