UK Education Abroad, ISA Offer New Diversity Scholarships

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 8, 2014) — In an effort to encourage education abroad participation for all students, University of Kentucky Education Abroad is now offering a unique opportunity for students who often opt out of this high-impact educational experience.  Diversity scholarships, which range between $2,500 and $5,000, are now available to UK students participating in approved programs through International Studies Abroad (ISA).

The scholarships are offered to qualified students who contribute to UK's overall interest in diversity.  This includes, but is not limited to: race or ethnic origin, sex, color, religion, creed, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, and other characteristics. It may also include first generation students, students from low income families, students from rural Appalachian communities, and students with a history of overcoming adversity. 

Students are not required to have an education abroad program application in process before applying for the scholarships.  Rather, scholarships are awarded as vouchers to be used toward an ISA program of the recipient's choosing that begins within two calendar years of award date.

"We are delighted to be partnering with ISA to create our first scholarship for diverse students who for various reasons have been underrepresented in education abroad," said Anthony Ogden, executive director of Education Abroad & Exchanges. "We are trying a very innovative approach with this scholarship.  My hope is that by awarding this scholarship early, we can encourage students who have traditionally self-selected out of education abroad to stay with us and use the voucher strategically to find a program ideally suited to their academic and career interests."

Recipients will be selected based on individualized assessments by the Education Abroad Diversity Scholarship Committee. In addition to the general application and required essay, factors considered include demonstrated academic success and financial need.  Awards are made one time only and are not negotiable.

"I went to El Salvador on a service learning trip, and it was one of my best experiences in my 4.5 years in undergrad," said Kahlil Baker, director of the UK Martin Luther King Center and member of the Education Abroad Diversity Scholarship Committee. "My hope for this scholarship is that students that don't necessarily see education abroad as an opportunity will see that they do have a choice, and there are resources here to help them gain that experience. I hope folks take advantage of it."

The application deadline for the spring 2015 cycle is Oct. 1. All applications should be submitted through the Education Abroad website at http://www.uky.edu/international/diversityscholarship.

"My hope is that others who are similarly committed to diversity will contribute to this new scholarship so that we can serve a greater number of UK students," said Ogden.