Boren Scholarship and Fellowship funding is designed to cover the majority of an awardee’s overseas expenses. The award is not all-inclusive. Applicants and awardees are encouraged to download and utilize this Boren budget template to compile the costs related to their overseas program.
Below is the overview of Boren Award funding amounts, which are based on the duration of overseas study:
Boren Scholarships Award Amounts:
- 8-11 weeks overseas: $8,000 for a summer program (STEM majors only)
- 12-24 weeks overseas: $12,500
- 25-52 weeks overseas: $25,000
Boren Fellowships Award Amounts:
- 12-24 weeks overseas: $12,500
- Summer domestic + 12-24 weeks overseas: $17,500
- 25-52 weeks overseas: $25,000
- Summer domestic + 25-52 weeks overseas: $30,000
RFLI (Regional Flagship Language Initiatives) Award Amounts:
RFLI Scholars & Fellows (AFLI, SEAFLI):
- Approved summer domestic cost PLUS
- $12,500 for 12-24 weeks overseas or
- $25,000 for 25-52 weeks overseas
Eligible Expenses: The following cost categories are eligible for Boren funding throughout the duration of a student’s overseas program:
- Approved program tuition and feesÌý
- Home institution matriculation fees, up to $2,500/semester ($5,000 overall cap)
- Room & Board (Housing and Food)Ìý
- Books and suppliesÌý
- Visa and overseas visa-related costsÌý
- Fly America Act compliant round-trip airfare at the lowest cost unrestricted class (basic economy). Please note that the Open Skies Agreement does not apply to Boren funding.
- Checked luggage (up to 2 bags)Ìý
- Overseas health insuranceÌý
- Local transportationÌý
- Cybersecurity costs to include a burner laptop and/or phone, or VPN (up to $500)Ìý
- Select research-related expenses (for Fellows only, please see below)Ìý
- One flight change fee related to approved travel and/or an approved change to program datesÌýÌý
Ineligible Expenses: Boren funding may not be used for the following ineligible expenses under any circumstances:Ìý
- Passport feesÌý
- Medical expenses including, but not limited to: inoculations (vaccinations), copays or treatment costs, prescription medications, and COVID testingÌý
- Personal laptop (personal, durable laptop – this is different from the cybersecurity costs listed above)Ìý
- Dependent expensesÌý
- Personal travel or entertainment expensesÌý
- Personal domestic expenses such as car payments, student loan payments, personal taxes, or US housing costsÌý
- Non-Fly America Act compliant flights
Additionally, Boren Fellows cannot use funding for the following for during their research:
- Participant payments or giftsÌý
- Travel or meals for research assistantsÌý
- Personal laptop or scientific equipmentÌý
Boren and IIE reserve the right to audit award recipients to ensure Boren funding is used appropriately and consistently with the guidelines above. Awardees should reach out to their Boren advisor with any questions related to costs and expenses throughout the grantee’s program. The Boren advising team is here to support students and answer questions.
If you have questions about your budget, please reach out to your Boren advisor. Requests for an increase to awards, up to the maximums listed above, are contingent upon availability of funds and approval of requested costs.Ìý
FAQ
What if I have some extra funding in my budget?
Consider supplementing your overseas program with a tutor or language partner! This offers an opportunity to learn specialized vocabulary, practice speaking, and can provide additional opportunities for insight into both the language and culture.
If you ultimately have Boren funding that is not able to be used for eligible study abroad expenses, please contact your Boren advisor to determine how to return the unspent funding.
Am I allowed to receive financial aid or other scholarships if I accept the Boren Scholarship or Fellowship?
Yes, as long as the funding doesn’t overlap.
Example 1: A full year overseas will cost $35,000 in total. You receive a Boren Scholarship for $25,000 and you also receive another scholarship for $5,000. This is acceptable because the funding is covering different costs, and the benefits are not duplicated. Please still report this additional funding to your Boren advisor so it is appropriately documented.
Example 2: A full year overseas will cost $25,000 in total. You receive a Boren Scholarship for $25,000 and you also receive another scholarship for $5,000. If that $5,000 will be used for the same costs that your Boren Scholarship is covering, such as tuition or a flight, your Boren award will be reduced accordingly.
What if I am going overseas for 24 weeks and a few days, will this round up to 25 weeks so I can receive $25,000?
No. The Boren Scholarship and Fellowship award amounts are based on the duration of your overseas program, which are firm. If you are close to the threshold of 25 weeks, consider extending your programming so that your proposed overseas duration appropriately meets the required duration.