This snapshot pulls from CollegeWhale’s scholarship database and planning tools to show how many scholarships are available for Foreign Language majors, the total dollars listed, and how early-career pay compares to typical college costs.
We currently list 12 active scholarships tied to Foreign Language programs, sourced from professional groups, nonprofits, and private sponsors. New awards are added regularly.
The scholarships currently listed total approximately $151,000 in advertised award value. Many programs offer renewable or variable awards, so available funding may be higher over time.
Early-career median pay for Foreign Language graduates is about $60,000 per year. We estimate a typical 4-year net college cost around $108,584.
That means first-year earnings are roughly 55% of total college cost, with an estimated payback period of 1.8 years (before taxes and living expenses).
The average cost of in-of-state college in the United States is $27,146 per student per year, including books, supplies, and daily living expenses. Out-of-state students pay $45,708 per year. Private, nonprofit university students pay $58,628.
According to data provided by educationdata.org as of 8/2025. Our ROI calculation is based on in-state average tuition. Median pay statistics are provided by bls.gov
The CollegeWhale Scholarship FastFind™ makes it easy to discover the best Foreign Language scholarships — fast. Filter by award amount, deadline month, and estimated time to apply, then instantly download your personalized list. No sign-ups, no personal info, no spam — just real, verified scholarships.
The Linguistic Society of America (LSA) Student Fellowship and Travel Awards provide financial support to undergraduate and graduate students who are actively involved in linguistic study and research. These awards are designed to help promising students attend conferences, present research,
Award: Varies Deadline: November Est. Application Time: Med (48 min)The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship – Linguistics and Language Track is designed for students who are committed to international service and who possess strong interests in global languages, linguistics, and cross-cultural communication. This prestigious fellowship helps prepare future
Award: $40,000 Deadline: September Est. Application Time: Med (78 min)The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Scholarships support students, educators, and emerging language professionals who are pursuing studies in world languages, language education, and cultural immersion. ACTFL offers multiple scholarship programs designed to strengthen language proficiency,
Award: Varies Deadline: February Est. Application Time: Med (78 min)The Boren Awards, offered through the National Security Education Program (NSEP), provide substantial funding for U.S. undergraduate and graduate students who wish to study less commonly taught languages that are critical to U.S. national security. These awards support immersive language
Award: $8,000 Deadline: January Est. Application Time: Med (48 min)The Phi Sigma Iota Foreign Language and Linguistics Scholarship is offered by Phi Sigma Iota, the international honor society for students of foreign languages, linguistics and literature. This scholarship supports outstanding undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate a strong commitment
Award: Varies Deadline: February Est. Application Time: Med (78 min)The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program empowers students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad. Administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE) since 2001, the Gilman Program helps undergraduates acquire the international
Award: $5,000 Deadline: March Est. Application Time: Low (28 min)Phi Sigma Iota, the International Foreign Language Honor Society, offers a competitive scholarship program designed to support undergraduate and graduate students dedicated to the study of languages, literatures, and cultures. With chapters at more than 180 institutions around the world,
Award: $500 Deadline: March Est. Application Time: Med (78 min)The Corinne Jeannine Schillings Foundation was established in memory of Corinne Schillings, who tragically lost her life in a 2004 Baltimore Harbor water taxi accident. Corinne was passionate about languages, travel, and cultural exploration. To honor her legacy, the Foundation
Award: $1,500 Deadline: March Est. Application Time: Med (48 min)The Boren Scholarships, administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE) on behalf of the National Security Education Program (NSEP), fund U.S. undergraduate students to study less commonly taught languages in regions of the world critical to U.S. interests. These
Award: $25,000 Deadline: January Est. Application Time: Med (48 min)Name: Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship Program Award Amount: Up to $42,000 annually for a two-year period, covering...
Award: $42,000 Deadline: Rolling Est. Application Time: Med (78 min)The Fulbright U.S. Student Program is one of the most prestigious international educational exchange programs in the world. Funded by the U.S. government and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE), it provides grants for graduating college seniors, recent
Award: Varies Deadline: October Est. Application Time: Med (78 min)The Kor Memorial Scholarship is a unique academic award offered by the Klingon Language Institute (KLI) designed to recognize and encourage scholarship in the field of language studies. While it pays tribute to the famed Klingon warrior Kor from the
Award: $500 Deadline: June Est. Application Time: Med (63 min)This comprehensive collection of Foreign Language scholarships and grants for the 2026 - 2027 school years, curated from our regularly updated databases. To explore all available scholarship matches, visit our Scholarship Database and Grant Database, which both offer easy-to-use filters, current deadlines, and detailed eligibility information to help you discover the best Foreign Language scholarship opportunities.
Students pursuing degrees in foreign languages, linguistics, translation, interpretation, international communication, or regional studies may qualify for a broad range of scholarships and fellowships. These awards are offered by universities, federal agencies, nonprofit foundations, and cultural institutions to support language acquisition, study abroad, research, and public service preparation.
Advanced language proficiency is highly valued in diplomacy, international business, intelligence, global development, academia, translation services, and multinational corporate environments. Scholarships reduce financial barriers while providing structured immersion and academic enrichment opportunities.
CollegeWhale Tip: Competitive language scholarships evaluate cultural engagement as well as academic performance. Document study abroad participation, international volunteer work, research projects, or sustained involvement in language organizations.
The Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, is a fully funded summer immersion program designed to increase proficiency in languages deemed critical to U.S. global engagement.
The program is highly competitive and particularly appropriate for students intending to pursue careers in diplomacy, international relations, education, or global public service.
The Boren Scholarship supports intensive language study in regions critical to U.S. national security interests. It emphasizes long-term immersion and study of less commonly taught languages.
This scholarship is well suited for students planning careers in federal agencies, intelligence, international policy, or security analysis.
CollegeWhale Tip: Applicants should demonstrate a clear interest in public service and explain how language study aligns with federal employment objectives.
The FLAS Fellowship, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, provides support to students studying less commonly taught languages in conjunction with regional or area studies.
FLAS funding is appropriate for students pursuing academic research, regional expertise, international education, or policy-related careers.
Language immersion is central to advanced proficiency. Several national programs provide financial assistance for students participating in language-focused study abroad programs.
These scholarships allow students to gain direct exposure to cultural and linguistic environments while advancing academic objectives.
CollegeWhale Tip: When applying for immersion-based scholarships, provide concrete evidence of language proficiency goals and explain how the experience supports long-term academic or professional plans.
High school students demonstrating strong aptitude in foreign languages may qualify for competitive national programs.
Participation in exchange programs, language competitions, or international organizations strengthens applications.
Students fluent in heritage or ancestral languages may qualify for scholarships supporting bilingual leadership and cultural preservation initiatives.
CollegeWhale Tip: Heritage language applicants should articulate how their linguistic background informs academic goals, research interests, or community engagement efforts.
Graduate students pursuing advanced degrees in linguistics, comparative literature, translation studies, or second-language acquisition may access specialized research grants and fellowships.
These awards typically require research proposals, writing samples, or demonstrated academic contributions.
Many universities offer internal awards through departments of modern languages, linguistics, or international studies.
CollegeWhale Tip: Department-administered scholarships often attract fewer applicants than national programs and should be included in any comprehensive funding strategy.
| Program | Focus | Funding Level | Service Requirement | Eligible Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Critical Language Scholarship | Summer Language Immersion | Fully Funded | No | Undergraduate/Graduate |
| Boren Scholarship | Extended Overseas Study | Up to $25,000 | Yes | Undergraduate/Graduate |
| FLAS Fellowship | Language + Area Studies | Tuition + Stipend | No | Undergraduate/Graduate |
| Gilman Scholarship | Study Abroad | Up to $5,000 | No | Undergraduate |
| NSLI-Y | High School Immersion | Fully Funded | No | High School |
Misconception: Scholarships are concentrated in widely spoken languages.
Clarification: Many federal and foundation programs prioritize less commonly taught languages such as Swahili, Indonesian, Pashto, Tagalog, or Central Asian languages. Study in these fields may increase funding competitiveness and provide specialized professional opportunities.
Data & content oversight by Lauren Nichols
Co-Founder of CollegeWhale, specializing in scholarship data systems and financial aid research.