Hot Scholarships for Arabic and Islamic Studies Students

Arabic and Islamic Studies have become very hot degrees. Even better, because the know-how you learn while studying both in the classroom and abroad is SO in demand, the pathway to top-level careers is greased with scholarship riches.

The Government especially, as well as private and college and university sources are fantastic gold mines for funding in this field of study. If you’re heading into this branch of study, you’ll have the opportunity to dip into a wide array of interdisciplinary courses as well as take on challenging study abroad experiences.

Government Scholarships for Arabic Studies Students

Given the world situation it should go without saying that the U.S. government has a stake in mining the knowledge of the nation’s Arabic and Islamic Studies students. And for those entertaining the notion of this area of study, these juicy scholarships are sure incentive:

  • One of the most LUCRATIVE and challenging scholarship programs is the Boren Scholarships. Earn up to $20,000 in exchange for a year abroad plus a year of service within a U.S. National Security agency. Funded by the National Security Education Program, the Boren Scholarships offer undergraduate students studying high-need fields like Arabic Studies, the opportunity to study abroad in the country and deeply immersed in local and regional culture. Emphasis is on culture and language and specifically how this knowledge can ultimately be used to the benefit of the U.S. National Security efforts. Boren Scholars willing to study overseas for a full year are given preference and the program is extremely competitive for obvious reasons.
  • Boren Fellowships are available to students in graduate studies also pursuing degrees in high need fields, including Arabic Studies. Fellows may opt to study stateside, abroad or both. Language and/or culture studies are welcomed. Fellows may participate for up to 2 academic years, for a total of $30,000 in scholarship money. Service within the National Security sector is expected to equal the term of scholarship. Also, a very competitive program.
  • The Department of Homeland Security Scholarships are popular among undergraduate and graduate students studying a physical or social science or technology degree that relates directly to a DHS initiative. For Arabic Studies students the two main areas of DHS research that may provide pathways for scholarship funding are the Social, Behavioral and Economic Sciences or Immigration Studies. This is a scholarship for service. All students selected for the program receive full tuition scholarships for one academic year, plus paid summer internship, plus between $1,000 and $2,300 monthly stipends.
  • Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships (FLAS) are funded by the Department of Education and administered through various colleges and universities. These scholarships help graduate and doctoral level students participate in language studies and research directly relevant to high need languages, including Arabic and other Middle Eastern languages. Eligible students are paid a stipend as scholarship aid. Awards are $7,500 per semester for the one year FLAS program or $2,500 for an intensive summer program.

Private Sources for Arabic and Islamic Studies Scholarships

Private sources for scholarships in this field are far fewer than those in government. Examples:

  • The Arab American Institute maintains an updated list of scholarships specific to Arabic and Arab Studies students.
  • The Center for Contemporary Arab Studies offers scholars and students a valuable stable of possible scholarship and fellowship funding. Funds are primarily focused on assisting graduate and post-graduate students with research and language studies necessary to research and degree completion.