Getting to know “the other” has always been one of the most powerful ways to build bridges of mutual understanding. Studying abroad not only broadens academic horizons but also opens the mind to new ways of thinking, living, and connecting.

For students in the United States, learning about Latin America carries a particular significance. It offers an opportunity to explore the heritage of more than 60 million people of Hispanic or Latino descent who live in the U.S.—to rediscover ancestral roots, cultural traditions, and contemporary realities that shape the region today. At the same time, it allows Latin American students to see their own countries through the eyes of visitors who are eager to learn from them, creating an exchange that benefits both sides.

Choosing to study in Latin America also means considering non-traditional destinations, where education often comes at a lower cost and where numerous scholarships and other financial support make international study more accessible than many realize.

1. Your Home College or University

A first step is to connect with the study abroad office, where staff can outline exchange programs, semester-long immersions, or short-term field experiences in Latin America. The financial aid office can also help determine whether existing grants or loans apply to overseas study.
Students should make time to talk with academic advisors and faculty members of Hispanic or Latino descent, who can share insight into their own backgrounds and research ties with Latin American institutions. Many campuses also have Latin American student associations or cultural centers that offer informal ways to interact, practice Spanish or Portuguese, and start learning about the region before traveling abroad.

2. Government-Funded Programs

The U.S. government sponsors several scholarship and fellowship programs that support study abroad experiences:

• Fulbright U.S. Student Program – Administered by the U.S. Department of State, Fulbright offers grants for graduating seniors, graduate students, and young professionals from all backgrounds to conduct research, study, or teach English abroad. Awards vary by country but typically cover travel, tuition, and living costs. 
• Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship – This program, funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Institute of International Education since its inception in 2001, supports American students who receive Federal Pell Grants to gain proficiency in a variety of languages and cultures. 
• Gilman-McCain Scholarship – Also funded by the U.S. Department of State, this program is aimed at dependents of active or activated U.S. military members. It offers $5,000 awards to help cover program costs for eligible students to study abroad or enroll in internship programs.

3. Private and Partner Organizations

Several non-governmental or partly private organizations also fund U.S. students’ study abroad experience.

• CIEE – (Council on International Educational Exchange) – One of the largest and oldest study abroad organizations, CIEE offers scholarships, grants and other funding opportunities to high school and college students, and educators across Latin America, including Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic among others.
• FEA – (Fund for Education Abroad) –  provides scholarships to U.S. citizens, permanent residents or DACA recipients who are enrolled at a U.S. higher education institution, have never studied abroad and demonstrate financial need.
• AIFS – (American Institute for Foreign Study) – AIFS supports study abroad through scholarships of up to $5,000 for programs in Latin American countries such as Costa Rica, Ecuador and Argentina. Applicants may be required to submit an essay about a particular topic.
• API – (Academic Programs International) – offers a suite of scholarships for students participating in their study- or intern-abroad programs, with awards up to US $1,000 for semester-long programs and up to US $500 for short-terms. These include merit scholarships (for e.g., first-generation students, STEM majors) and need-based or diversity-based funds.
• IFSA – (Institute For Study Abroad) – provides multiple funding opportunities, from advising financial aid recipients on how to apply their financial aid toward study abroad to the IFSA First-Generation Scholarship and other scholarships and grants. Awards range from $500 to $4,500, supporting students of varied backgrounds in study abroad destinations across Latin America and beyond.
• SIT Study Abroad  – (School for International Training) – awards need-based scholarships and grants ranging between $500 and $5,000 for semester programs and between $500 and $3,000 for summer programs, including the Pell Grant Match and the SIT Bonner Award. SIT Study Abroad supports students interested in immersive programs focused on health, cultural identity, ecology and social issues in Latin America, in countries such as Argentina, Chile, Ecuador and Mexico.

These are just a few examples of the many organizations that support studying, researching and working in Latin America. For those willing to take the leap, studying abroad in Latin America can be a life-changing experience — one that goes far beyond academics. It’s an opportunity to broaden your worldview, strengthen cultural understanding, and, in many cases, reconnect with the diverse roots and stories that shape the Americas. In the end, every bit of effort you put into finding the right program is more than worth it.

References

Fulbright U.S. Student Program
https://us.fulbrightonline.org/about/fulbright-us-student-program

Benjamin A. Giman International Scholarship
https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/program/program-overview/

Gilman-Mccain Scholarship
https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/program/gilman-mccain-scholarships/#1563384856149-c9c8b206-552d

CIEE - Council on International Educational Exchange
https://www.ciee.org

FEA - Fund for Education Abroad
https://fundforeducationabroad.org

AIFS – American Institute for Foreign Study
https://www.aifsabroad.com/scholarships-grants/

API – Academic Programs International
https://apiabroad.com/scholarships/

IFSA – Institute for Study Abroad
https://ifsa-butler.org/scholarships-grants-financial-aid/

SIT – School for International Training
https://studyabroad.sit.edu/admissions-aid/financing-your-study-abroad/scholarships-grants/