CIEE GAIN Scholarships & Grants
Offered by CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange)
About This Scholarship
CIEE is a 78-year-old nonprofit study abroad provider, and its GAIN (Global Access Initiative) grants are the need-based core of its scholarship lineup. The GAIN Scholars Grant provides up to $2,000 off program fees for Pell-eligible students, and the GAIN Travel Grant adds up to $1,500 toward round-trip airfare for students with a low Student Aid Index — and the two can be combined.
The application effort is minimal by design: need-based applicants simply report their Student Aid Index from the FAFSA as part of their CIEE program application. No separate essay is required for the need-based grants. Merit scholarships (up to $2,500, with a 300-word essay) and a Gilman Go Global Grant for qualified Gilman applicants round out the offerings.
The essential caveat: these awards exist only within CIEE's ecosystem. They are discounts and travel funds applied to CIEE program enrollment, not cash you can take to any program. If you are already planning a CIEE program, they are real money; if not, they should not drive your program choice alone.
Eligibility
- Accepted into or applying for a CIEE college study abroad program
- GAIN Scholars Grant: Federal Pell Grant eligibility
- GAIN Travel Grant: Student Aid Index up to 10,000 guaranteed; higher SAIs considered after the deadline
- Merit awards additionally require a 3.0 GPA and a short essay
How To Apply
- Apply to a CIEE program at ciee.org and complete the Scholarships & Grants section of the same application — there is no separate scholarship application
- Provide your Student Aid Index from your FAFSA for need-based grants; merit applicants add a 300-word essay and GPA documentation
- Deadlines: October 15, 2026 for Spring/January 2027 terms; April 1 for Summer/Fall terms
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use CIEE scholarship money on a non-CIEE program?
No. All CIEE scholarships and grants are applied against CIEE program fees or travel to CIEE programs. They function as need- or merit-based discounts on CIEE enrollment.
Can I stack CIEE grants?
Yes, within limits. Pell-eligible students can combine the GAIN Scholars Grant (up to $2,000) with the GAIN Travel Grant (up to $1,500), and scholarship caps vary by term length.