Give to UIC Study Abroad

Nationally, only about 10% of U.S. college students participate in study abroad. Financing a study abroad opportunity is the number one obstacle most students face. The UIC Study Abroad Office is fortunate to have a number of scholarship funds that have been established to help increase access for our diverse student body. We invite you to consider contributing to any one of the below funds or starting a new scholarship fund to help us in our mission of sending more UIC students abroad on transformative education abroad programming. Please contact SAO Executive Director, Dr. Kyle Rausch, if you would like to discuss creating a new study abroad scholarship fund, otherwise, you can donate to any of the below funds.

Give the Gift of Study Abroad!

Study Abroad Office Scholarship Funds Heading link

Learn about our different scholarship funds and find a link to give directly to an individual fund below.

The Accessible Frontiers fund provides unrestricted support for study abroad students and events to raise awareness about international education opportunities in the Study Abroad Office.

This fund also supports the First Year Flames Abroad program which is an innovative program that affords new first-generation college students the opportunity to participate in an interdisciplinary faculty-directed study abroad learning experience during the summer before they begin their first fall semester. The study abroad experience is followed by an interdisciplinary first year seminar in the fall.

Chris Deegan "Just Do It!" Study Abroad Scholarship Fund

The Chris Deegan “Just Do it!” Study Abroad Scholarship Fund was created to honor the former UIC Study Abroad Executive Director. Chris served as the Executive Director for the UIC Study Abroad Office for 16 years from 2004-2020. He was instrumental in establishing this office as an integral part of UIC. Chris laid down the foundation for the UIC Study Abroad Office.

Preference will be given to:

  • Students traveling to non-traditional locations – Asia (specifically India), Latin America, and Africa. However, all students are encouraged to apply.
  • Students with a demonstrated financial need
  • Students who have never studied abroad before
  • Students who demonstrate an intentional choice in program with a clear connection to professional, academic, or personal goals

Judy Curry Scholarship Fund

This scholarship fund is intended for UIC upper-division undergraduate or graduate students with strong academic performance, demonstrated leadership ability, and financial need. The awards are to support overseas academic projects or studies. Projects and programs related to China/US studies are preferred.

Stanley O. Ikenberry Fund

This scholarship fund was established to provide support to a student pursuing a study abroad program offered by the University of Illinois at Chicago.