Are you dreaming of studying, volunteering, or interning abroad, but money is holding you back? You’re not alone. Thousands of students and young professionals want to explore the world, gain new skills, and make an impact—but the cost can be overwhelming. The good news? There are many free scholarship grants and funding options that can help.
We’ll show you the best scholarship grants to apply for in 2025, plus a smart way to raise extra funds using FundMyTravel.com.
Why Scholarships and Grants Are Key to Traveling Abroad
Scholarships and grants are powerful tools for funding your trip. Scholarships are usually based on your achievements, while grants are often given based on financial need. Both can cover important expenses like tuition, flights, housing, and meals. Some are even fully funded!
What’s even better? Many travel scholarships and grants go unused because people think they won’t qualify. But in reality, there are funding options out there for every kind of traveler. You just have to know where to look.
Top 7 Travel Scholarships and Grants You Can Apply for in 2025
1. Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) Scholarship
The FEA Scholarship supports U.S. students who plan to study abroad. It focuses on helping underrepresented students, including first-generation college students and students of color. Awards go up to $5,000.
Why It’s Great: They want to help more students travel and learn from different cultures. Plus, it’s open to a wide range of study abroad programs.
2. Gilman International Scholarship
This scholarship is for U.S. undergraduate students who receive Pell Grants. Awards range from $3,000 to $5,000, and even up to $8,000 for those studying critical languages.
Why It’s Great: It’s perfect if you’re on a budget but still want to study or intern abroad for academic credit.
3. Critical Language Scholarship (CLS)
Offered by the U.S. State Department, CLS is a fully funded program that helps students learn one of 15 critical languages. It covers travel, housing, and meals.
Why It’s Great: It’s 100% free and provides an immersive experience in language learning. Competitive, but very valuable.
4. Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship
This $1,000 scholarship helps students studying abroad with the cost of travel. Bonus: winners also receive a Tortuga backpack, perfect for their adventure.
Why It’s Great: Simple application process, and it’s not limited to a specific major or destination.
5. GoAbroad.com Scholarships
GoAbroad offers multiple scholarships and grants for students, interns, and volunteers going abroad. Amounts vary depending on the program and sponsor.
Why It’s Great: GoAbroad updates their listings regularly and offers funding opportunities for different kinds of meaningful travel.
6. Explore the World Travel Scholarship (HI USA)
This award gives $2,000 to U.S. citizens aged 18–30 who demonstrate financial need and have a passion for travel with a purpose.
Why It’s Great: It’s one of the few scholarships aimed at young adults who want to make an impact through international travel.
7. AIFS Abroad Scholarships
If you’re planning to travel with AIFS Abroad, they offer scholarships of up to $5,000 for participants in their programs. These can help cover tuition and living expenses.
Why It’s Great: Great for those doing summer or semester programs with AIFS. They also offer diversity and need-based awards.
Bonus Tip: Raise Extra Funds with FundMyTravel
Even with a free scholarship grant, you may still have leftover costs like airfare, visa fees, or travel insurance. This is where FundMyTravel.com can help. It’s a trusted crowdfunding platform made just for travelers.
How It Works:
✅Set up a personalized fundraising campaign page.
✅Share your story: who you are, where you’re going, and why this trip matters.
✅Promote your page using social media and email.
✅Collect donations from friends, family, and supporters.
FundMyTravel gives you everything you need to succeed, including tools, templates, and tips. Many travelers have fully funded their trips using the platform alone!
Tips to Make Your FundMyTravel Campaign a Success
1. Add a Personal Video
Campaigns with a video are 2x more likely to meet their goal. A short video makes your story real and helps people connect with you.
2. Break Down Your Budget
Be clear about where the money is going: flights, lodging, meals, etc. Transparency builds trust.
3. Post Regular Updates
Thank your donors, share milestones, and show progress. This keeps people engaged and encourages more support.
4. Don’t Just Ask for Money
Ask people to share your page or connect you with others who might want to help. Every share expands your network.
5. Use Social Media Smartly
Post often, use hashtags like #travelgrants #fundmytrip #studyabroad2025, and keep your followers in the loop.
Read more here: How to Create a Successful FundMyTravel Campaign
Why FundMyTravel + Scholarships = The Perfect Match If you’re asking “How to fund my internship?” or “Where to find the best scholarship grants?”, the smartest approach is to combine both.
- Scholarships and grants help with the big expenses.
- FundMyTravel fills in the gaps with flexible, community-driven support.
Together, they form a complete, stress-free funding strategy that works.
Start Planning Your Dream Trip Today
Traveling abroad is one of the best ways to grow, learn, and make a difference. And with the right scholarships, grants, and crowdfunding tools, money doesn’t have to be an obstacle.
Apply for these 2025 travel scholarships and grant programs early, and use FundMyTravel.com to raise the rest. Whether you’re going on an internship, study abroad program, or volunteer mission, there’s help out there for you.This could be the year you stop wondering how to travel without money and start planning the trip of a lifetime. Start now—and make your travel dream real.