Study Abroad Scholarships

The department has scholarships and grants for undergraduate students who will study abroad in GNSD countries in the next academic year. The scholarships are awarded on the basis of merit, with some consideration given to financial need.

Awards are contingent on the student being accepted into one of the University's Learning Abroad Center (LAC) programs and on the ability to travel outside of the United States.

The Scholarships:

  • Frank D. Hirschbach Scholarship for Study Abroad in a GNSD Country
    A $4,000 scholarship was established in honor of Professor Frank D. Hirschbach, who was committed to developing and directing study abroad programs to GNSD countries (countries where German, Finnish, Norwegian, Swedish, Russian or Dutch are primarily spoken). This scholarship is open to undergraduate students in any field in CLA who are continuing language studies abroad in a GNSD country. Preference will be given to students studying abroad for one or both terms of the academic year. Students enrolled in semester or year-long study abroad programs are eligible for awards up to $4000. Students participating in shorter term programs may be eligible for awards up to $2500.
  • Max Kade Travel Grants for Study in Germany
    Up to 4 travel grants of $1,000 each for undergraduate GSD majors with a German emphasis who will be participating in a study abroad program or an internship in Germany. Must have completed at least one German course at the University of MN in the major.

Eligibility requirements:

  • For all our study abroad scholarships
    • Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0
    • Must be a student in good standing at the University of Minnesota
    • Receipt of award for all these scholarships is contingent on proof that you have been accepted into the program
  • Hirschbach Scholarship: Additional requirement
    • Must have applied to an academic study-abroad program in a GNSD country
  • Max Kade Travel Grant: Additional requirement
    • Must be a declared GSD major
    • Must have completed at least one German course in the major or minor at UMN

Application Instructions:

The Hirschbach and Kade scholarships have two cycles, one deadline in Fall term and one in Spring term. 

The deadline for the Fall 2026 Hirschbach and Kade scholarships is October 16th at noon

  1. Application form
  2. A statement that includes the following (applications without this information will not be considered):
    1. location, dates, and description of the study-abroad program to which you have applied
    2. some background information on yourself, including your knowledge of German
    3. how the program fits into your academic plans and long-term goals
    4. a brief indication of financial need   
  3. An unofficial UMN transcript as a pdf.
  4. A letter from a GNSD instructor (preferably a faculty member) for the Kade; for the Hirschbach scholarships, a letter from a non-GNSD faculty member is also acceptable (NOTE: The letter must reach the Department by the application deadline, so you should request it as soon as possible)

Email the first three items as attachments to [email protected]. The instructor submits the letter of recommendation directly by email to [email protected].