Melissa Pena Receives Scholarship to Study Abroad

2013 Apr 29

Melissa Pena, a University of Houston (UH) political science major, class of 2012, from Houston, Texas, received a scholarship to participate in a study abroad program. Pena, a recipient of the IEFS Scholarship, studied in Lüneburg, Germany for the semester.

The International Education Fee Scholarship (IEFS) is one of two scholarships offered by the University of Houston System funded by contributions from student registration fees. IEFS is open to all UH students interested in participating in a study abroad program.

To qualify, undergraduates must complete a minimum of 12 hours of coursework and have a 2.5 GPA or higher. Graduate students must complete a minimum of nine hours of coursework and maintain a 3.0 GPA or higher. Award recipients may receive up to $500 to participate in a short-term study abroad program and as much as $1,000 to participate in a semester-long study abroad program.

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is a national scholarship program to assist students with limited financial means in studying abroad. The program is open to undergraduate students who are planning to study abroad and are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university.

The Gilman Scholarship recipients received award amounts up to $5,000 to spend at least four weeks in a study abroad program of their choice. For more information about the Gilman Scholarship program, visit the Institute of International Education website.

Students receive assistance in completing all study abroad scholarship applications from the UH Office of International Studies and Programs.