The CIEE Global Access Initiative (GAIN) Travel Grant is a vital financial resource for students who dream of studying abroad but face challenges affording the cost of international travel. Offered by the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), this grant supports underrepresented students by reducing one of the most significant barriers to global education — the cost of airfare.
Award Details
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Award Amount: $500 – $1,500
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Purpose: Helps cover round-trip airfare for eligible students
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Eligibility: Students demonstrating financial need
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Special Feature: Guaranteed for all qualifying students who complete the application process and meet the criteria
This grant is designed specifically to promote equitable access to study-abroad programs, ensuring that students from all financial backgrounds can benefit from international learning experiences. Whether attending a semester, summer, or short-term program through CIEE, recipients can use this funding to ease travel-related costs that might otherwise prevent participation.
If you need more explanation or more information, you can book a consultation and speak to Happy Face
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for the GAIN Travel Grant, applicants must:
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Be accepted into a CIEE study-abroad program
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Demonstrate financial need (usually evidenced through a completed FAFSA or home institution documentation)
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Be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The application is straightforward and integrated with the general CIEE Scholarships and Grants application. Importantly, once students apply and qualify, the award is guaranteed — making it one of the most accessible forms of travel assistance available.
If you need more explanation or more information, you can book a consultation and speak to Happy Face
Why It Matters
Travel costs can be a major deterrent for students considering studying abroad, especially those from low-income families or first-generation college backgrounds. The GAIN Travel Grant directly addresses this challenge by removing the financial barrier of airfare, making international learning a realistic option for more students.
With grants of up to $1,500, students can afford flights to destinations across the globe — from Europe and Asia to Africa and Latin America — opening doors to new academic, cultural, and professional opportunities.
