Freeman-Asia Scholarship

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Program Purpose: 

Freeman-ASIA (Awards for Study in Asia) is designed to support American undergraduates with demonstrated financial need who are planning to study overseas in East or Southeast Asia. The program's goal is to increase the number of Americans with first-hand exposure to and understanding of Asia and its peoples and cultures

Program Description: 

The Freeman-ASIA Program has been approved for two years, beginning with the Summer 2011 term. Grants will be offered undergraduate students to study in East and Southeast Asia for summer, semester, and academic year terms.

Program Benefits: 

Award amounts vary from $3,000 for a summer program, to $5,000 for a semester program, to $7,000 for an academic year program.

Application Process: 

Applicant must have applied or have been accepted to a study abroad based program--that awards academic credits through the home campus or other accredited U.S. college or university--for study in: Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Laos, Macao, Malaysia, Mongolia, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam. A multi-country program is eligible only if the applicant will spend at least 8 weeks in one of these countries and will have intensive language study during that period. In demonstrating financial need, the application process includes filing a FAFSA and submitting the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC).

Applicant Profile: 

Applicant must demonstrate financial need for study abroad, and have little or no previous experience in the country in which he or she plans to study. A summer term applicant must not have spent more than 4 weeks in the proposed country within the last 5 years. A semester or an academic year term applicant must not have spent more than 6 weeks in the proposed country within the last 5 years. Preference is given to students who: (1) participate in language study that will enhance their ability to engage with the host culture; (2) enroll in a study abroad program with at least 20 hours per week of class time, incorporating the study of an East Asian language, culture, and history; and (3) demonstrate sincere interest in incorporating East Asian Studies into future academic or professional plans.

Eligibility: 

Undergraduates who will have at least one term of enrollment remaining at their home institution in the U.S. upon returning from studying abroad in Asia.

Obligations: 

Freeman-ASIA award recipients are required to share their experiences with their home campus or communities to encourage study abroad by others and fulfill the program's goal of increasing understanding of Asia in the United States.

Selection Criteria: 

The three primary criteria used to evaluate Freeman-ASIA Award applications are: financial need, commitment to and demonstrated interest in East Asian Studies, and quality of the service project proposal.

Citizenship: 

U.S. citizens or permanent residents only.

Program Deadline: 

Deadlines vary according to the term (summer, spring, fall, or academic year).

University Deadline: 

Consult the Office of International Programs/Study Abroad Office for the appropriate campus deadline: http://www.sfsu.edu/~studyabr/index.html.

How To Apply: 

This program is administered by the Office of International Programs. Contact OIP for more information: http://oip.sfsu.edu