"Semester at Sea and the Institute for Shipboard Education (ISE) provide $3.25 million in aid to students each year. ISE offers a broad offering of awards to assist as many students as possible. It is our mission to make sure that all qualified students interested in Semester at Sea are able to sail regardless of financial resources."
| Aid Type |
Amount |
Voyage |
Eligibility |
|
Presidential Scholars
|
Full Tuition |
|
All Students |
|
Short-Term Voyage Grants
|
$250 - $1,500 |
|
All Students |
|
Need-Based Grants
|
$500 - $10,000 |
|
All Students |
|
Merit Scholarships
|
$250 - $5,000 |
|
>3.25 GPA |
|
Alumni/Endowed Scholarships
|
$500 - $10,000 |
|
>3.25 GPA |
|
Work Study
|
$2,000 - $4,000 |
|
All Students |
|
Diversity Scholars
|
Up to $13,000 |
|
All Students |
|
NSCS Scholarship - "Scholar at Sea"
|
$3,475 - $10,000 |
|
NSCS members only |
|
Triangle Fraternity Scholarship
|
Full Tuition |
|
Triangle Fraternity members only |
|
Chapman University
|
$7,500 |
|
Chapman undergrads |
|
Morehouse College
|
$3,500 |
|
Morehouse undergrads |
|
University of California - Irvine
|
$2,000 - $3,750 |
|
UCI undergrads |
|
University of California - San Diego
|
$1,000 - $2,500 |
|
UCSD undergrads |
|
University of Colorado - Boulder
|
Varies |
|
CU undergrads |
|
University of Hawaii - Hilo
|
Varies
|
|
UH Hilo undergrads |
|
University of Virginia Need Based Grants
|
Varies |
|
UVa undergrads |
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Short-Term
Important Dates
- Financial Aid Deadline - March 30, 2011
- Award Notification - April 6, 2011
- Financial Aid Deadline - March 4, 2011
- Award Notification - March 25, 2011
- Presidential Scholarship Application Deadline: April 22, 2011
- Presidential Scholarship Award Date: May 6, 2011
- Financial Aid Deadline - May 25, 2011
- Award Notification - June 3, 2011
- Presidential Scholarship Application Deadline: September 9, 2011
- Presidential Scholarship Award Date: September 23, 2011
- Financial Aid Deadline - October 12, 2011
- Award Notification - October 21, 2011
*Only confirmed participants will be considered for financial aid.*
* International students are welcome to apply for all scholarships. We ask that you submit a statement of your parent's income with English translation and conversion to US dollars in lieu of the FAFSA and tax returns.*
Presidential Scholars
Presidential Scholars: The Semester at Sea Presidential Scholars program was developed to identify and support extremely high-achieving students wishing to enhance their global perspective and better understand their vital role as a global citizen. These students are expected to understand and further the mission of ISE before, during, and after their participation in the program.
Scholars will be selected based on academic achievement at their home institution and leadership qualities shown on campus and in their local community.
Presidential Scholarship applications are due approximately one month prior to the general ISE financial aid application deadline. Check the important dates page for specifics.
Download the Presidential Scholars Application (DOC)
Need-Based Grants
Need-Based Grants These grants are awarded by the Institute for Shipboard Education to help make the program a reality for all students regardless of financial status. Awards range from $1,000 to $10,000 in the spring and fall and $500 - $5000 in the summer.
Download the Need-Based Grant Application (PDF)
Merit Grants
Merit Grants: Students may apply for merit-based aid if they maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or above. Additional consideration will be given to those students demonstrating leadership within their campus or community. Awards range from $500 to $5,000 in the spring and fall and $250 - $3750 in summer.
Download the Merit-Based Grant Application (PDF)
Alumni/Endowed Scholarships
Alumni/Endowed Scholarships: These awards are made possible by the generosity of gifts from our alumni. Students will be expected to correspond with the donor if selected. Students must have a 3.25 GPA or have exhibited personal leadership. Awards range from $500 to $10,000.
Download the Alumni Scholarship Application (PDF)
Short-Term Voyage Grants
Short-Term Voyage Grants: These grants are awarded by the Institute for
Shipboard Education to make this voyage a reality for all students
regardless of financial status. Additional consideration will be given
to those students demonstrating leadership within their campus or
community and/or a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or above. Awards range from
$250 to $1500.
Download the short-term voyage application
Diversity Abroad Scholarships: Awarded in partnership with DiversityAbroad.com. Five scholarships of $13,000 will be awarded for the fall and spring voyages. Five scholarships of $6,500 will be awarded for the summer voyage.
More >>
Diversity Abroad Scholarships
Diversity Abroad Scholarships: Awarded in partnership with DiversityAbroad.com. Five scholarships of $13,000 will be awarded for the fall and spring voyages. Five scholarships of $6,500 will be awarded for the summer voyage. See this page for more information.
Submit a short video essay on the topic "How does a deep understanding of diversity make you a more effective global citizen?" Submit the video by following the instructions below:
- Upload your video to YouTube. For YouTube upload tips, watch this video.
- Name the video "Semester at Sea Diversity Abroad Scholarship TERM YEAR – FIRST LAST". Insert your voyage – for example "Fall 2011" – and insert your first and last name.
- Include this list of tags: diversity, Semester at Sea, voyage, global education, global citizen, Diversity Abroad, TERM YEAR (insert your voyage – for example "Fall 2011")
- Submit the link to
[This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots; you need JavaScript enabled to view it]
with the subject line "TERM YEAR Diversity Abroad Scholarship". Insert your voyage – for example "Fall 2011".
- Post the link to your Facebook wall.
- First you’ll need to friend the Semester at Sea profile
- Then "like" the Semester at Sea page
- When you post the video to your Facebook wall, tag Semester at Sea by typing "@SemesteratSea" and select our profile from the auto drop-down menu like this.

Additionally, applicants must submit to ISE a brief financial aid application form. Download the
Semester at Sea Diversity Abroad application (PDF).
Additionally, applicants must submit to ISE
a brief financial aid application form. See
this page for more information. Download the
Semester at Sea Diversity Abroad application (PDF).
The Triangle Fraternity Scholarship
The Triangle Fraternity Scholarship - One full tuition scholarship will be awarded for the May short-term voyage in partnership with Triangle Fraternity. Registered members of Triangle Fraternity may submit a short video essay on this question: “How does the Fraternity’s purpose and the mission of the short-term voyage fit into your personal and professional growth as a member of Triangle Fraternity.” Applicants without access to the necessary technological resources may submit a written essay of approximately 500 words.
For more information on the Triangle Fraternity Scholarship, click here
NSCS Scholarship "Scholar at Sea"
NSCS Scholarship "Scholar at Sea": Members of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars are eligible to apply for this award. Requirements and application are available online. One $10,000 award available for fall and spring voyages, three $5,900 awards available for summer voyages, and three $3,475 awards available for the Short-Term voyage.
Work-Study Grants: These esteemed positions are available for industrious students with the necessary experience to be successful in their assignment. Students will be expected to work two hours per day while at sea. There will be no work expectations while in port. Work-Study grants are $4,000 for spring and fall voyages, and $2,000 for summer voyages. Students are only eligible to apply for one position per voyage. Select a position below for more information and application instructions.
More >>
Work-Study Grants
Work-Study Grants: These esteemed positions are available for industrious students with the necessary experience to be successful in their assignment. Students will be expected to work two hours per day while at sea. There will be no work expectations while in port. Work-Study grants are $4,000 for spring and fall voyages, and $2,000 for summer voyages. Students are only eligible to apply for one position per voyage. Select a position below for more information and application instructions.
Chapman University Scholarships
Chapman University Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded by the Center for Global Education, for more information please contact Katie Roller at roller (AT) chapman.edu. Students must be an undergraduate at Chapman to qualify. $7500 awards are available in the spring and fall.
Morehouse College Scholarships
Morehouse College Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded by the Study Abroad Office. Please contact Gwen Wade at gwade (AT) morehouse.edu for more information. Students must be an undergraduate at Morehouse to qualify. $3500 awards in the spring and fall.
University of California - Irvine Scholarships
University of California - Irvine Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded by the Center for International Education at UCI. For more information, see UCI's website.
Students must be an undergraduate at UCI to qualify. $2,000 awards are
available for summer voyages and $3,750 awards are available for spring
and fall voyages.
University of California - San Diego Scholarships
University of California San Diego Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded by the Institute for Shipboard Education. Students must be an undergraduate at UCSD and submit an ISE need and/or merit grant application to qualify. $1.000 awards are available for summer voyages and $2,500 awards are available for spring and fall voyages.
University of Colorado - Boulder Scholarships
University of Colorado – Boulder Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded by the Office of International Education, please complete the CU-Boulder Study Abroad Scholarship to be nominated or contact Cloud Baffour at Baffour (AT) colorado.edu for more information. Students must be an undergraduate at CU to qualify. Awards are available for spring, summer and fall and are based on demonstrated financial need and merit. Students do not need to submit an ISE need or merit grant application.
University of Hawaii - Hilo Scholarships
University of Hawaii - Hilo Scholarships: These scholarships are awarded by the Center for Global Education and Exchange. For more information please contact Carolina Lam at uhhglobe (AT) hawaii.edu. Students must be an undergraduate at UH-Hilo and have demonstrated financial need to qualify. Awards are available in the fall and spring for approximately 60% of the SAS program cost.
University of Virginia Need Based Grants
University of Virginia Need Based Grants: These grants are awarded by Student Financial Services. Students must be an undergraduate at U.Va. and have a financial aid application on file at SFS to be eligible. Awards are available in the fall and spring and are based on demonstrated financial need (funds are limited and based on availability). Students do not need to submit an ISE need grant application in the spring or fall.