Scholarships

Study Abroad Scholarships

As part of our commitment to alleviating financial barriers and making study abroad accessible for students from a wide array of socioeconomic backgrounds, DIS offers need-based scholarships. We also offer diversity and merit scholarships.

Each year, DIS provides over $2 million in scholarships. On average, 50% of all students receive financial support from DIS. Many more are applying financial aid granted from their home institutions towards their DIS experience as well.  

 

Begin your scholarship application
 

DIS Scholarships Overview

You may apply for DIS Scholarships at any point before the stated deadline, even before you have been accepted. International (non-U.S.) students are welcome to apply for all DIS scholarships.  Here are the application deadlines for each term: 

  • Spring: Apply by October 15 
  • Summer: Apply by March 15 
  • Fall: Apply by April 1 

Funding availability after the deadline may be limited.  

Scholarship type  Terms offered  Decision notification  Award range  Materials for submission 
Need-based  Spring, Summer, Fall  Rolling Semester: $500-$6,000  Summer: $250-$1,500  A short personal statement and FAFSA information  
Diversity  Spring, Summer, Fall    Rolling   Semester: $500-$6,000  Summer: $250-$1,500    A short personal statement 
Merit  Spring, Fall  2 weeks after the submission deadline has passed  Semester: Up to $10,000  A personal essay (max 1,000 words) and a letter of recommendation from a faculty or academic adviser 

Scholarship Details

We recommend you read through the descriptions and requirements for each scholarship below before starting your application.

 
Need-based Scholarship
Need-based scholarships range from $500 – $6,000 per semester or $250 – $1,500 per summer based on the duration of your session(s). These are awarded on the basis of demonstrated financial need. Pell Grant eligibility, federal loans (Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and Direct PLUS loans),and work-study awards from your home institution are also included in our considerations. International (non-U.S. citizen) students are welcome to apply.
 
Diversity Scholarship
Diversity scholarships range from $500 – $6,000 per semester or $250 – $1,500 per summer based on the duration of your session(s). These are awarded to support students from populations that are underrepresented in study abroad, including but not limited to diverse ethnic, racial, cultural, or educational backgrounds, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, etc. International (non-U.S. citizen) students are welcome to apply.
 
Merit-Based Scholarships
The following are merit-based scholarships. These scholarships are highly competitive, as DIS only awards one award per semester per merit scholarship.
 
Jacob Buksti Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship honors a beloved former DIS faculty member, Jacob Buksti, who passed away in 2016. Jacob built a strong legacy in modern Danish politics and made a deep impact on the hundreds of DIS students he taught from 2003 to 2016. Jacob served the Danish Social Democratic Party as a parliamentarian, party spokesperson, and Minister of Transportation during an impressive political career and he was deeply devoted to sharing his work and passion with students at DIS. He loved being a politician and, even more than the theories and policy study that fueled his coursework, was passionate about the living, breathing game of European domestic and international politics. We offer this scholarship of up to $10,000 each semester to a deserving DIS Copenhagen or DIS Stockholm student.
 
Application requirements: 
  • A major in political science, international relations, government, public policy, economics, or a related field
  • Passion for pursuing a career in politics
  • A demonstrated interest in European/EU politics
  • Strong GPA, personal essay (max 1,000 words), and recommendation from a professor or academic advisor

James Larson Memorial Scholarship

James L. Larson was Professor Emeritus in the Department of Scandinavian Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. After numerous visits to DIS and a sojourn as a Visiting Scholar, he was impressed by the institution’s academic excellence and how DIS exposed students to the world of Scandinavian and European culture that could not be obtained on their home campuses. Jim passed away in 2021. His will and testament included a very generous donation to DIS, and a merit-based scholarship in the humanities in honor of James Larson was established. DIS offers this scholarship of up to $10,000 each semester to a deserving DIS Copenhagen or DIS Stockholm student.
 
Application requirements: 
  • A major in the humanities, i.e., history, literature, philosophy, or a related field
  • Passion for pursuing a career in the humanities 
  • Interest in the importance and relevance of the humanities in the 21st century
  • Strong GPA, personal essay (max 1,000 words), and recommendation from a professor or academic advisor

Anders Uhrskov Leadership Scholarship

Anders Uhrskov was the Director of DIS for 27 years and was dedicated to developing global leaders of tomorrow through education abroad. The Anders Uhrskov Leadership Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship established to award students who have demonstrated leadership on their college campuses or in their home community and who are dedicated to enhancing and building upon their global leadership and critical thinking skills while spending a semester abroad with DIS. We offer this merit-based scholarship of up to $10,000 each semester to a deserving DIS Copenhagen or DIS Stockholm student.
 
Application requirements: 
  • Demonstrate leadership within your home communities, whether on your college campus, in your broader college community, or around your home
  • This scholarship is open to all students, regardless of field of study
  • Strong GPA, personal essay (max 1,000 words), and recommendation from a professor or academic advisor  

Additional Study Abroad Scholarships

Many regional, national, and global organizations offer study abroad scholarships and DIS encourages you to research these additional opportunities. 

To help you get started, we have compiled a list of scholarships which have historically rewarded funds to DIS students. Please note in your search that some scholarships are specific to either Denmark or Sweden, while others are available regardless of location:  

  • Fund for Education Abroad (FEA)

DIS is an Access Partner with FEA, which offers awards up to $5,000 per semester (summer awards start at $1,250) to U.S. undergraduates with financial need who are traditionally underrepresented in education abroad including minorities, first-generation college students, and community college students.

fundforeducationabroad.org

(Copenhagen and Stockholm)

  • Gilman Scholarship

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program offers awards up to $5,000 for U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding and wish to participate in study and intern abroad programs worldwide. This program is offered through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State and is administered by the Institute of International Education.

gilmanscholarship.org

(Copenhagen and Stockholm)

  • A. Rewari Family Scholarship for Study Abroad in Denmark

This scholarship is made possible by the generous support of Dr. Amar Rewari, a DIS alumnus from 1999 who is passionate about helping deserving students study abroad in Denmark. The scholarship offers $5,000 per semester to a student currently enrolled at a U.S. college or university and who is planning to study abroad in Denmark. Students must apply through the Fund for Education Abroad.

fundforeducationabroad.org

(Copenhagen only)

  • Upper Midwest Rebild Scholarship 

The Upper Midwest Rebild Scholarship Corporation works to preserve Danish heritage and promote cultural exchange between the United States and Denmark. Students who have demonstrated a strong interest in Denmark and Danish-related matters or students of Danish background are encouraged to apply. Visit the website below for application deadlines and eligibility requirements.

www.umrsc.org

(Copenhagen only)

Home Financial Aid

For assistance with transferring your financial aid package, consult your Study Abroad Advisor or Financial Aid Officer on campus. They may also be able to assist you in exploring potential sources of additional financial aid or loans.