Undergraduate Global Engagement

formerly the office of Global Programs

The Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement (UGE) offers the Global Learning Scholarship (GLS) to support Columbia students so they may enhance their undergraduate education by participating in a summer global learning opportunity. By participating in these programs, you will:

• Explore Your Intellectual Interests: Be exposed to new ideas and deepen your understanding in a broad range of topics while earning credits toward graduation and fulfilling requirements for your major, minor, or the Core.

• Learn Beyond the Classroom: Combine intensive study with customized field trips, meetings with local scholars and experts, and the acquisition of research and practical project-based skills.

• Expand Your Horizons: Cultivate intercultural competencies, gain skills in critical thinking, and sharpen your self-awareness while engaging with global perspectives.

What Does the Global Learning Scholarship (GLS) Cover?

GLS awards vary and may cover one or more of the following expenses.

1. Summer Program Tuition and Fees: The GLS can partially defray the cost of tuition and fees.

2. Summer Out of Pocket Expenses: The GLS can be issued as a stipend to help cover expenses such as a plane ticket, housing, and meals.

3. Academic Year Student Contribution: The GLS can be applied to the expected student contribution for your academic year studies at Columbia following the program.

Eligibility and Programs

You are eligible for the Global Learning Scholarships (GLS) if you are:

• A Columbia College, Columbia Engineering, or General Studies student who demonstrates financial need

• All other students are not eligible for the GLS

The following Columbia-Led summer programs are eligible for the Global Learning Scholarships. Additional programs may be added to the list so please check back in.

• Columbia Summer Core in Berlin

• Columbia Summer Core in Paris

• Columbia Summer Global Core: The Athens Experience

• Columbia Summer in Paris

• Columbia Summer Art History in Paris

• Columbia Summer Creative Writing in Paris

• Columbia Summer Accelerated Intermediate French in Paris

• Columbia Summer in Venice

• Columbia Summer Practicum in Neuroscience

• Columbia Summer Research Practicum in Global Behavioral Science (GLOBES)

• Kyoto Summer: Classical Japanese

• Kyoto Summer: Modern Japanese

Application and Timeline

1. The Global Learning Scholarship application is a one page application. You will need to select a Columbia-Led summer program before you can submit the application. No recommendations are required for the GLS application.

2. You will also need to complete a separate Columbia-Led program application that you can find on the program website.

• Scholarship applications are due: February 14, 2025 (closes at 11:59 pm EST)
• GLS applicants must also submit a completed program application by the program application deadline OR no later than the following: February 14, 2025 (closes at 11:59 pm EST)

Applying for a GLS does not impact admissions decisions to the program. The program application and GLS application are reviewed separately. You will be notified of your GLS award prior to making a decision to confirm your participation in the summer program.

Donors

Thank you to the Columbia alumni, parents, and friends for their generosity in supporting the Global Learning Scholarships that fund undergraduate students to participate in a summer global learning experience.

For Columbia College students:

• Global Learning Scholarship Fund for students participating in a summer study abroad program
• Ishizuka Global Fellowship in East Asian Studies for students studying Japanese language and culture abroad
• KUMA/Kuznetsov Work Exemption Fund for students participating in a summer study abroad program
• The Valentini Endowment for students participating in a summer study abroad program
• Beesen Travel Scholarship for students studying in France

For Columbia College, Columbia Engineering, and General Studies:

• Global Learning Scholarship Program Fund for students participating in a summer study abroad program
• Zhou Family Fund for first-year students participating in a summer study abroad program

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I learn more about the student experience on a Columbia-Led program?

Please reach out to a Global Learning Assistant, a student who participated in a study abroad program. You can also read about the impact of a global learning experience by reading Student Stories.

Do I need to receive financial aid at Columbia during the academic year to apply for the GLS?

GLS is a need-based scholarship. Generally, students are on financial aid at Columbia but students with extenuating circumstances are eligible to apply.

If I apply, am I guaranteed to receive the GLS award?

It is not guaranteed that all applicants will be awarded funding due to the limited amount of funding available.

Will the GLS cover the full cost of participation?

The GLS will likely not cover the full cost of participation. Depending on the number of applicants and available funding, the average award may range from $1,000-$7,000.

Please check the program webpage for more information about the cost of participation. You will need to make a plan for how you might cover the remaining expenses which includes tuition and fees and out of pocket expenses. You will need to plan accordingly.

How will the GLS be distributed?

Your award letter will specify what the GLS will fund.

Awards that cover tuition and fees will be issued as a credit on your student account which reduces the amount due on your summer bill. You will still be responsible for submitting a nonrefundable deposit to confirm your participation in the program.

Awards that are issued as a stipend will be paid directly to you to defray summer expenses such as a flight, housing, food, and personal needs. Stipends are not applied toward charges on student accounts. If charges exist, you must choose to use the stipend money to make a payment on your student account. You may need to plan to pay for flights before stipends are issued.

Awards that cover a portion of your expected student contribution for the upcoming academic year at Columbia will be applied evenly between the fall and spring semesters on your student account. This award will not be available for you to use during the summer.

Where can I find information about other scholarships?

Please check the Financial Considerations section on your Columbia-Led program’s website for location-specific and other scholarship opportunities.

Can I use my Columbia Financial Aid for summer programs, even if I am awarded a GLS?

If you receive financial aid during the academic year, you may remain eligible for financial aid when you attend a summer Columbia-Led Program as long as you take a minimum of 6 points.

CC/SEAS: Contact the CC/SEAS Financial Aid & Educational Planning to understand if any of your federal financial aid may cover enrollment costs for a summer program. Please note the Columbia Grant is not available for summer studies.

General Studies: Contact the GS Office of Educational Financing to understand if any of your financial aid may cover participation in a summer program.

Can the GLS be applied to programs not offered by Columbia?

The GLS cannot be used to cover tuition or other expenses for programs not offered by Columbia.

The GLS can be applied towards the Columbia $750 study abroad fee for programs outside of Columbia. You can apply to those programs through the UGE Summer Petition | Columbia-Approved Programs or Columbia-Affiliated Programs.

Want to learn more?

Join a Study Abroad First Steps meeting to speak with a UGE Adviser – no appointments needed!