Study Abroad Scholarships

All COB majors have study abroad scholarship opportunities.  Apply at the OIE Access Award for the semester when you are going abroad.  The Study Abroad Office will send an email reminding you after your acceptance and providing deadlines for your semester.  This automatically has you evaluated for both OIE and COB scholarships to support your study abroad.  This process will verify your study abroad acceptance and provide your financial need information as part of the evaluation.

If you want to be considered for a specific program below, please send a separate email to COBStudyAbroad@ilstu.edu with any extra information required to complete your application for that specific scholarship not covered in the OIE Access Abroad Application.  You may apply for more than one category, but generally each student only receives study abroad funding from one COB source.

Parker Passport Ambassadors (PPA) – Fund your journey. Inspire the next

This scholarship is provided by Corey and Kerri Parker to encourage more business students to study abroad.  They believe that “believe that experiencing other cultures broadens perspectives, builds confidence, and creates leaders who think beyond borders”.  This scholarship is $2000 and requires a commitment to inspire others to study abroad after your experience by committing to do at least 3 outreach activities in cooperation with the VIBI Director.  These outreach activities involve sharing their experience and insight within the COB to encourage others to study abroad.

For a junior or senior College of Business major in good standing with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and enrolled to participate in an international experience abroad sponsored by Illinois State University and the College of Business. Eligible students must have 30 semester hours completed at Illinois State University prior to participating in international experience.  Preference is given to non-IB majors, but all majors are considered.

Candidates must submit a written essay focused on their passion for traveling abroad and how the experience will or has provided benefits. Financial need may be considered, and finalists may be required to participate in a formal interview with the Director of the International Business Institute.                

Carson and Iris Varner International Experience Fund

This endowment honors Carson and Iris Varner who since 1975 worked to develop the unique interdisciplinary international business major. Through their efforts, and the continuing work of others, Illinois State University is considered the center of international business education in Illinois.

For a junior or senior College of Business major in good standing with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and enrolled to participate in an international experience abroad sponsored by Illinois State University and the College of Business. Eligible students must have 30 semester hours completed at Illinois State University prior to participating in international experience.  Preference is given to IB majors, but all majors are considered.  Funding levels vary but generally are around $1000 per semester or $500 for a summer course.

Candidates must submit a written essay focused on their passion for traveling abroad and how the experience will or has provided benefits. Financial need may be considered, and finalists may be required to participate in a formal interview with the Director of the International Business Institute.

Motchar Study Abroad Impact Fund

This endowed scholarship was established by William Motchar to encourage students to study abroad.  

For a junior or senior College of Business major in good standing with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and enrolled to participate in an international experience abroad sponsored by Illinois State University and the College of Business. Eligible students must have 30 semester hours completed at Illinois State University prior to participating in international experience.  Preference is given to non-IB majors, but all majors are considered.  Funding levels vary but generally are around $1000 per semester or $500 for a summer course.

Candidates must submit a written essay focused on their passion for traveling abroad and how the experience will or has provided benefits. Financial need may be considered, and finalists may be required to participate in a formal interview with the Director of the International Business Institute.