Scholarships for Russia

Go to College in Mother Russia

Russia is a huge nation with a long history of great thinkers, architects, and a vibrant culture. Many students dream of studying here, and they are able to study almost every subject. Almost every college or university sponsors some sort of international exchange program to Russia. Even the government and other private institutions offer students the chance of a lifetime. If you need help with funding, check out a few of these programs to help get you the money you need.

Government Scholarships

Some of the best funding that the federal government provides is through the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. The Gilman Scholarship program is designed to provide undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grants with the opportunity to study abroad. It aims to send students to locations not traditional to most study abroad programs. Areas outside of Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand are encouraged. Also, it focuses on student groups that are not as represented. The Gilman Program supports students with high financial need, are from community colleges, students with diverse ethnic backgrounds and students with disabilities. Over 2,300 of these awards are handed out each year. The average amount awarded is $4,000, with the maximum amount being $5,000.

In addition to the Benjamin Gilman Awards, the government offers the Boren Awards for International Study. The Boren Awards focuses on regions that are critical to U.S. national security. They draw a broad definition of national security to include facing the challenges of a global society, global disease and hunger, and economic competitiveness. Students who apply for the Boren Scholarships should also be interested in learning another language- such as Russian. Students are also encouraged to travel to places overlooked by most other study abroad programs. This Award provides up to $20,000 for an academic year of study.

Study Abroad Organizations

There are even organizations that provide programs specifically for studying abroad. The American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS) is one of the top-tier study abroad associations. Their mission is to provide students with the best cultural exchange and to enhance the lives of students all over the world. They have programs in over 22 countries, and over 5,000 students participate in their study abroad programs each year. AIFS offers a number of merit and need-based scholarships to students who qualify:

• $1,000 Grant- just like it sounds, this award of $1,000 goes to students to help with the costs of studying abroad.
• AIFS International Scholarships- students who show outstanding academic achievement are considered for this scholarship. Students must submit an essay stating “How study abroad will impact my academic and personal growth.” 40 of these scholarships are awarded each year for $1,000 each.
• AIFS-HACU Scholarship- this scholarship goes to outstanding Hispanic students traveling abroad who attend HACU member schools. This scholarship is for up to $50,000.

Private Funding

The American Councils for International Education is a private organization that gives students the chance to study abroad all over the world. Their Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies Program sends students to Moscow and St. Petersburg for an eight-week program where students will enhance their listening, reading, writing, and oral proficiency in the Russian language. They award of number of scholarships to participants:

• VIII Research Fellowships- this award provides students with up to nine months of full financial support to conduct research in Russia.
• Critical Language Scholarship Program- through the Critical Language scholarship institute, this award provides students with seven to ten weeks of intensive language study in another country.

Cultural Vistas is another private study abroad company that promotes cultural exchange. Their participants are able to learn new trends and challenges in evolving global issues, advance their leadership and conflict resolution skills, share their culture, strengthen international relationships and have fun along the way. Their Alfa Fellowship Program is an extraordinary professional development program where young professionals work at top organizations in Russia in the fields of business, economics, journalism, law, public policy and other related areas. This fellowship covers all the costs of studying abroad and includes a monthly stipend and excursions throughout Russia.

The International Research and Exchanges Board (IREX) is an international organization dedicated to thought leadership and innovative programs that garnishes positive, lasting global change. IREX offers a number of international teaching exchanges as well as international study programs to scholars and professionals. There are a variety of programs specifically in Russia. For those who are eligible, there are a number of Short-Term Travel Grants to help postdoctoral scholars and professionals so they can conduct research all throughout Eastern Europe and Eurasia.