UIC x CEA CAPA Navigator Scholars
UIC and CEA CAPA Education Abroad have partnered to offer an exclusive scholarship for first-generation, first-year students. One of UIC's approved study abroad partners, CEA CAPA offers many programs around the world to study or intern abroad. Students can also use the Navigator Scholarship toward any UIC faculty-directed or exchange program.
Launched through generous funding from UIC's Office of the Chancellor and formerly called the FirstGen Flames Abroad program, the Navigator Scholars program is designed to award first-year students whose parent(s) did not complete a bachelor’s degree with a scholarship to study abroad.
The scholarship is unique in that it is awarded at the end of the first year a student is at UIC giving them the rest of their undergraduate career to plan for participation in an education abroad program. The scholarship is dedicated funding students have to study abroad.
In addition to providing funding for an education abroad experience, the UIC Navigator Scholars program is a student leadership program with a strengths-based pedagogy. Navigator Scholars participate as a cohort in Global Leadership Summits once a semester which focus on professional development, leadership, and intercultural competency development.
The UIC x CEA CAPA Navigator Scholars program supports our organizations' mission of increasing access to education abroad and empowering UIC’s students to become intentional learners and graduates with increased global awareness.
Scholarship Details Heading link
Please expand this section for details about the scholarship and application process.
Scholarship details
Register for an upcoming information session to learn more about the Navigator Scholars program and to receive application tips from SAO and CEA CAPA representatives:
- March 7th at Noon via zoom (Register Here)
- March 15th at 3 PM via zoom (Register Here)
Scholarship amounts:
50 students will be selected to receive a scholarship to study abroad. Scholarship amounts will vary depending upon the length of program the recipients choose:
- Less than 3 weeks: $1,600
- 3-6 weeks: $2,100
- Semester: $2,600
Eligibility criteria:
- Preference given to first-generation college students with a demonstrated financial need
- Be a degree-seeking undergraduate UIC student in their first or second semester at UIC
- Complete 12 UIC credits by the end of the spring semester
- Demonstrate financial need and have a current FAFSA OR Alternative Application for Illinois Financial Aid on file with UIC Financial Aid Office at the time of application
- Be in good academic standing and have no outstanding sanctions with the University
- Navigator Scholars may only apply the scholarship to a CEA CAPA study abroad program, a UIC faculty-directed program, or an exchange program. Scholars will not be able to use the scholarship for non-CEA CAPA partnership and direct enroll programs.
Scholarship Recipient Responsibilities
If selected as a UIC Navigator Scholar, students will be expected to:
- Attend an induction ceremony in the fall semester
- Participate in a leadership summit once each semester. These summits will occur 1 Saturday per semester. Attendance is mandatory.
- Participate in a campus-wide event promoting study abroad and celebrating first-generation college students for National First-Generation College Student day
- Assist the Study Abroad Office in promoting study abroad by sharing photos and testimonials about studying abroad
The Spring 2024 application deadline has been extended to May 26th!
Students who meet the above eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply for the scholarship via SnAP. The application will consist of responding to the following prompts in either a written essay or creative video format submitted via the SnAP application.
- In what ways do you anticipate this program will challenge you? As a first-generation college student, what strengths do you have that have helped you achieve your goals so far? How do you envision these strengths might help you be successful while studying abroad? Please be specific in addressing any challenges you have overcome and the skills you used to do so.
- Why do you think studying abroad will be beneficial for your personal, professional, and academic goals? How do you envision your study abroad program contributing to the development of leadership skills, your academic program at UIC, and your anticipated career afterward?
Apply to the Navigator Scholars Program via SnAP!
Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion in International Education (EDIIE) Award Heading link
The UIC Study Abroad Office is proud to share that the Navigator Scholars program has been recognized by Diversity Abroad, receiving a 2023 Excellence in Diversity and Inclusion in International Education (EDIIE) award in the ‘Student Engagement and Support’ category. The program was honored along with the First Year Flames Abroad program as two initiatives addressing access to education abroad by underrepresented students.
Thank you for the support of the Office of the Chancellor, the campus community, and our Navigator Scholars for making this program a shining example of inclusive international education!
Meet our past cohorts Heading link
Meet students in our past cohorts here.
Spring 2023 Cohort Heading link
Claire Dombrowski is a sophomore majoring in biological sciences. Claire was a participant in UIC’s First Year Flames Abroad program in which she joined 12 other first-generation college students and participated in a short-term study abroad program in Costa Rica prior to starting her first semester at UIC. As a biological sciences major, Claire views studying abroad as an opportunity to learn about other cultures and round out her education since learning about other cultures is not something that is commonplace in biological sciences. For her next study abroad opportunity, Claire is considering France, Belgium, Costa Rica, or Australia.
Deirdre Gonoudeis a sophomore majoring in Applied Psychology. Deirdre is interested in studying abroad to help her become a better, more independent version of herself. She is considering studying abroad in Ireland, Scotland, England, Paris, or Italy.
Karen Hernandez is a freshman psychology major. Karen is interested in studying abroad to have opportunities to learn from experts in her field, develop a deeper understanding of global issues, and to take classes that are not available at UIC. She is looking forward to exploring program options that will help clarify her career interests and goals.
Jocelyn Martinez is a senior transfer student majoring in English and pursuing a minor in French and Francophone studies. This past summer, Jocelyn studied abroad with the Social Services Internships in Paris program where she was able to use her French language skills to complete an internship with the social services division of the local government of Paris. Jocelyn hopes to have a career in writing and credits the study abroad experience as being one that will help her achieve this goal.
Megan McNamara is a sophomore majoring in biochemistry. She wants to study abroad to help develop a professional standing in her chosen field since, as she wrote in her application, being a woman in STEM can seem intimidating. She hopes her study abroad experience will help inform her career path and is considering Sweden, Denmark, Scotland, or Spain.
Diana Mejia is a senior transfer student majoring in the Teaching of Spanish. She has already used her Navigator Scholarship to participate in the Social Justice, Language, and Identity in Oaxaca program. In her application essay, she wrote that she wanted to study abroad to critically engage with issues of bilingualism and social justice for heritage speakers of Spanish. She saw her study abroad experience as a vehicle to develop her leadership skills and to further refine her Spanish skills in support of her future career as a Spanish teacher.
Laith Rahahleh is a sophomore majoring in biological sciences. He is interested in studying abroad on a medical-related program to gain hands-on experience in a global setting and to develop the skills necessary to be an effective healthcare provider for underserved populations. Laith is interested in many locations and is looking forward to working with the Study Abroad Office to find a program that is a good match for his major and career goals.
Zeehan Shareef is a sophomore majoring in computer science. Zeehan is interested in studying abroad to gain exposure to diverse perspectives and lifestyles and help him to become more open-minded and culturally aware. He is still exploring his options but is interested in Japan, Ireland, and Germany.
Andrea Torres is a sophomore majoring in Economics. She is interested in studying abroad to become more independent and develop her leadership skills. Additionally, studying abroad will bring her more opportunities and expand her network. Andrea is considering studying abroad in Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Spain and the Czech Republic.
David Vancil is a senior transfer student majoring in art. In his application, David wrote that “as the world seems to get smaller with technology, we are confronted with a new challenge to accept the beauty of other cultures and to not come to the table with other societies with self-righteous idea of cultural superiority.” He hopes to use his study abroad experience to connect with other artists and writers and to organize a body of work in photography capturing the different experiences he will have abroad. David is considering studying abroad in Paris, Rome, Prague, or Guadalajara.