Scholarships and Grants

United Planet Service Scholarships

United Planet is pleased to offer various Service Scholarships towards any of our Gap Year, Volunteer Abroad, Internship Abroad, and Virtual Quests departing through the end of the current calendar year. We invite everyone to apply, whether you are currently a student, a working professional, or just really want to volunteer abroad! Applications for a United Planet Service Scholarship will be accepted until September 1.

• Applicants for the Service Scholarship must be first-time Quest participants.

Long-Term Volunteer Quest Scholarships

Returnees of the International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE) from over 5 decades have organized funds for partial scholarships to be awarded on a need-basis so that youth can have similar life-changing experiences that were so paramount in their own lives. United Planet is pleased to debut the Long-Term Volunteer Quest Scholarships towards any of our Gap Year/12 month Long-Term Volunteer Abroad Quest Programs departing through the 2023/2024 term.

Who can apply?

• Any prospective outbound US volunteers committed to a 12-month exchange program abroad.
• Applicants for the Long-Term Volunteer Quest Scholarships must be first-time Long-Term Quest participants and plan to enroll in their Quest before the end of the current calendar year.
• To be eligible to travel for 12 months, volunteers must be at least 18 years old at the time of departure.

Submission deadline: April 1st, 2024.

Fund for Education Abroad

The Fund for Education Abroad invests in deserving U.S. undergraduates with financial need who are underrepresented among the U.S. study-abroad population. Partnering with the FEA Scholarship, we offer a scholarship of up to $5,000 for a fall or spring semester abroad, with a minimum of $1,000 for short-term programs. The application is open to U.S. citizens, DACA recipients, or permanent residents who demonstrate financial need, and are enrolled as an undergraduate at a college or university in the US, to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs.

Seminar for International Service-Learning Scholarship

Dr. Tim Stanton and United Planet are proud to take part in developing international service-learning curriculum in classrooms from all over! The seminar will be hosted in the beautiful city of Quito, Ecuador where you will join other faculty members and administrators from across the country to gain:

• Extensive knowledge – theories and practice – of service-learning pedagogy and curriculum development
• A first-hand look at how international service-learning programs work
• A network of like-minded colleagues committed to supporting each other

Gilman-McCain Scholarship

As a non-profit with a mission to create a global community, one relationship at a time, United Planet is dedicated to building the global accessibility of our programs. Partnering with the Gilman Scholarship, we offer a scholarship of $5,000 for undergraduate child and spousal dependents of active or activated United States military personnel during the time of application (including Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, Army, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy, Navy Reserve, Space Force, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and USPHS Commissioned Corps) to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs.

Scholarship applications are welcome in an August and October round. For specific details, please see the link below.

CCID International Volunteer Scholarship

As a non-profit with a mission to create a global community, one relationship at a time, United Planet is dedicated to building the global accessibility of our programs. Partnering with Community Colleges for International Development (CCID), we offer a range of scholarships to fulfill this vital commitment, and give every student the opportunity to have an international experience.

Who Can Apply? First time Quest participants who attend a CCID Member Institution. The Scholarship must be applied to an individual Volunteer Abroad Quest or Virtual Quest program before the end of the current calendar year.

Association of College Honor Societies (ACHS) United Planet Merit Scholarship

United Planet realizes that global social responsibility comes with global leadership and seeks to empower the best and brightest students with the global skills and perspectives to act as leaders beyond borders of all kinds.

Who can apply?

• One merit-based scholarship for an inducted student member of each chapter within every ACHS member society per calendar year in the amount of $500 (for any United Planet international program in one of over 35 countries)
• Five merit-based scholarships for alumni in every ACHS society per calendar year in the amount of $500 (for any United Planet international program in one of over 35 countries)
• Preferred program fees and support for chapter, society-wide, and alumni groups

Sigma Theta Tau Global Health & Leadership Scholarship

As a member of the Association of College Honor Societies, Sigma Theta Tau members are eligible for a unique scholarship opportunity with United Planet!

United Planet realizes that nursing leaders will be at the forefront of efforts to support global health and seeks to empower nursing leaders with the skills, perspectives, and experiences that will enable them to act as leaders beyond borders of all kinds.

Who can apply?

• One merit-based scholarship for an inducted student member of each Sigma Theta Tau chapter per calendar year in the amount of $500 (for any United Planet international program in one of over 35 countries)
• Five merit-based scholarships for Sigma Theta Tau alumni per calendar year in the amount of $500 (for any United Planet international program in one of over 35 countries)
• Preferred program fees and scholarship opportunities for chapter groups, faculty, and advisers.

Beta Gamma Sigma Social Change & Leadership Scholarship

As a member of the Association of College Honor Societies, Beta Gamma Sigma students are eligible for a unique scholarship opportunity with United Planet!

United Planet realizes that global social responsibility comes with global leadership and seeks to empower the best and brightest students with the global skills and perspectives to act as leaders beyond borders of all kinds.

Who can apply?

• One merit-based scholarship for an inducted student member of each Beta Gamma Sigma chapter per calendar year in the amount of $500 (for any United Planet international TRAVEL program available in over 35 countries)
• One merit-based scholarship for an inducted student member of each Beta Gamma Sigma chapter per calendar year in the amount of $250 (for any United Planet international VIRTUAL program available in over 25 countries)
• Five merit-based scholarships for Beta Gamma Sigma alumni per calendar year in the amount of $500 (for any United Planet international program in one of over 35 countries)

Alpha Lambda Delta Global Leadership & Service Scholarship

As a member of the Association of College Honor Societies, Alpha Lambda Delta members are eligible for a unique scholarship opportunity with United Planet.

United Planet recognizes leaders in academic achievement who demonstrate a commitment to empowering others and cultivating skills, perspectives, and experiences that will enable them to act as leaders beyond borders of all kinds.

Who can apply?

• One merit-based scholarship for an inducted student member of each Alpha Lambda Delta chapter per calendar year in the amount of $500 (for any United Planet international program in one of over 35 countries)
• Five merit-based scholarships for Alpha Lambda Delta alumni per calendar year in the amount of $500 (for any United Planet international program in one of over 35 countries)

Bonner International Scholarship

United Planet knows that Bonner Scholars and Leaders never stop giving back. Theresa Higgs, United Planet Advisory Board Member, and Bonner Scholar, University of Richmond, ’96-‘99, is the living role model.

Scholarships Available:

• One Completely Funded Scholarship valid for any 4-8 week volunteer program in any of our Short-term or Mid-term Quest destinations
• Two $500 Scholarships valid for a volunteer program in any of our Short-term Quest or Long-Term Quest destinations
• Two $250 Scholarships valid for any 1-6 month Virtual Quest

Submission deadline: March 31.

National Society of High School Scholars (NSHSS) United Planet Merit Scholarship

United Planet is offering a full scholarship* to one NSHSS member for any 1 to 3-week volunteer program in any of United Planet’s Short-Term Quest destinations. Additionally, five $500 scholarships are offered to NSHSS members for any short-term volunteer program (1 to 12 weeks) or long-term volunteer program (6-month or one-year) in any of our program destinations, as well as five $250 scholarships offered to NSHSS members for our Virtual Quest program.

Who Can Apply?
NSHSS members age 16 and older with parent approval of the trip. Please note that NOT ALL 1-3 week programs will be available for volunteers under the age of 18.

The application deadline for this year’s scholarships is March 15!

As a reminder, NSHSS members are eligible to receive a 10% discount off of any Short-Term (1-12 week) or Virtual Quest, or a 5% discount off of any Long-Term (6+ month) Quest! Please contact scholarships@unitedplanet.org for more details about utilizing this discount.

*Full tuition scholarship does not cover airfare.

American Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (AATSP) Summer Study-Abroad Scholarships

Winners of AATSP Study-Abroad programs in six European, Central and Latin American countries will receive a travel stipend of $1,000 to help offset expenses.

To be eligible for AATSP scholarships you must demonstrate that you are an AATSP member for three consecutive years. Additionally there are specific country requirements as well. Please click the button below for details.

Samuel Huntington Public Service Award

The Samuel Huntington Public Service Award provides a $15,000 stipend for a graduating college senior to pursue one year of public service anywhere in the world. The award allows recipients to engage in a meaningful public service activity for one year before proceeding on to graduate school or a career.

Who Can Apply? Any senior graduating from a U.S. college or university is eligible for the award. This includes non-U.S. citizens.

Fundraising Resources

Many United Planet volunteers have been able to completely fund their Quest through fundraising and donations. Visit our Fundraising page to get some ideas and download our guide!

University Funds or Scholarships

Your university or college may be the best place to start looking for scholarships to help you realize your dream of volunteering abroad. Get in touch with the International Office on your campus and tell them your plans – they may offer stipends, grants, or scholarships to help you raise your Quest fee.

Corporate Matching Gifts

Employers often offer a matching program which can be a great resource for employees wishing to dedicate their vacation to volunteer work. Inquire at work to see if your company provides this service.