David L. Boren Scholarship

A scholarship program for U.S. undergraduate students to help fund a language intensive study abroad program for a semester abroad. 

Semester Scholarships
Receive rapid proficiency gains in languages highly sought-after in the federal workforce through an immersive language program. For RIT students, studying Chinese, Japanese or Arabic is the best fit based on Boren program requirements and RIT study abroad program offerings.

• Programs 12-24 weeks long: $10,000 in scholarship funding
• Programs 25-52 weeks: $20,000 in scholarship funding

Summer Scholarships
Open to STEM majors studying abroad on a language-intensive summer program. For RIT students, studying Chinese, Japanese or Arabic is the best fit based on Boren program requirements and RIT study abroad program offerings.

• Programs at least 8 weeks long: $8,000 in scholarship funding

Eligibility

• Current undergraduate student
• U.S. Citizen
• Must be planning an overseas program in a country outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand
• Planning to study in a country of which you are not a citizen

Note: If awarded a Boren scholarship you are placed in a paid position within the federal government for one year after graduation.

Application Process
As part of the application, you would need to submit an application form, an unofficial transcript, two essays and two letters of recommendation. The Boren Awards give preference to programs based on their duration, focus on intensive study of a preferred language in a preferred country, and the applicant’s field of study.

For this particular scholarship it is required that you make an appointment with RIT Study Abroad Advisor, Roseanne DiFlorio (rmdrap@rit.edu)