You will be expected to provide the Estimated Cost for your intended experience.  These costs typically include some or all of the following 

• Housing and Food
• Airfare
• Local Transportation
• Medical & Insurance
• Passport & Visa
• Required Fees (such as application or program participation fees)
• Books, Materials, and Personal Items

If you are studying abroad through UT: This information can be found on the specific program page available through Texas Global - Education Abroad (click here for example of where to find the info) and you will not be required to itemize your response unless the estimated cost you provide deviates from the budget provided by Texas Global.

If you are studying abroad through another institution: Please contact them for a breakdown of expected cost as you will be required to submit the breakdown to CGB.  You can use this budget templates to gather necessary information.

If you are completing an international internship: You will be expected to send a breakdown of your expected costs with the above-referenced categories, as well as your anticipated salary information, in order to complete your application.  You can use this budget template to gather necessary information.

The application has two essay questions.  You are strongly encouraged to take full advantage of the opportunity to convey information about your plans, and to draft the essays in advance so you can review them for accuracy prior to submission. 

Note:  Essays are expected to be written in the applicant's own word without the assistance of ChatGPT or AI, and indications of AI-assistance may result in a lower essay score.

The essays are:

Essay #1: Professional Direction & International Business (250 words max). Describe where you believe you will be professionally in the next five years.  Include your short- and long-term career goals, how the study of international business will impact those goals, and how you plan to leverage your international experience into the launching of your career plans.

Essay #2: Additional Financial Need & Circumstances (150 words max).  Describe the nature and extent of your financial need and any special financial circumstances. Be specific in identifying extenuating circumstances to assist the committee in understanding your need and how a scholarship would positively address it.  Note: this essay prompt is identical UT international experience scholarships available through UT's Global Assist platform, and you are free to use that essay essay here as well.

The application requests you provide a reference familiar with your intention to complete an international experience, your interest in international business, and your any other unique circumstances that relate to your academic and professional journey.  You will provide the name and email address of your reference and they will be sent a form to complete.  So while you do not need to obtain a formal letter from your reference, you should let them know to expect a message from the Center for Global Business with the form.

If you are an International Business major, or if you are pursuing an international business or global management minor, please request preliminary approval at bit.ly/cgb-ie-approval before submitting your application. Obtaining preliminary approval prior to applying will ensure your intended experience will count towards your requirement, and will ensure you receive full credit for your planning skills on the scholarship application.

Resumes are required for application.  If you have not already prepared one (or if yours needs a bit of review or polish) please take a look at this guidance, and feel free to use this template to prepare your resume.

The FAQs at the bottom of this page contain a lot of useful information, including some discussion of how award decisions are made, so take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with the eligibility requirements and criteria.

Undergraduate students from all majors who are enrolled and in good standing at The University of Texas at Austin are eligible for Global Change Maker Scholarships, with the following exceptions:

(1) students who have previously been awarded a Global Change Maker Scholarship may not receive a second award, and

(2) students may not receive a scholarship after completion of their international experience as awards are made for future plans only.

Interest in international business is encouraged but not required to apply.  However, students who have demonstrated an interest in international business in one or more of the following ways receive additional consideration for scholarship awards:

• Declaring an International Business major at McCombs
• Pursing an International Business minor or a Global Management minor
• Taking and completing International Business classes (most of which are open to all upper division students)

NOTE: students are also able to demonstrate their interest in international business through their response to Essay #1: Professional Direction & International Business.

As the scholarships are intended to further international experience in the course of integrated study, study abroad and international internships of 4 weeks or more are eligible for scholarship awards.  Volunteer experiences and other personal travel are not eligible for awards.

NOTE:  Longer experiences (6 weeks or longer) and experiences with an employment element (internships) receive additional consideration as they demand a higher level of commitment on the part of the student.

Students can apply for priority consideration (approximately one year before proposed travel) and/or for regular consideration (usually the semester before proposed travel).  Projected deadlines are below, but please check the application to confirm the specific deadline.

Note:  If you apply for a May Term award during the regular application window (Jan. 15 - Feb. 15) you may not receive funds prior to the program fee deadline.

Applications are accepted each semester, and admission to a study abroad program or confirmation of an international experience not required.  However, students are strongly encouraged to apply only when their plans for international experience (including timing, location, and university or employer) are established as preference is be given to those whose international experience is fully planned out.

Yes, a reference is required. Students must provide a reference from their academic advisor, their study abroad advisor, or a UT faculty member familiar with the applicant's academic and international plans, as well as the applicant's interest in international business.

There is a strong preference for references from advisors as they indicate the applicant is fully aware of how international experience will impact their degree planning and course scheduling.

The application will request contact information for your reference, who will receive an automated email with a link to the reference form when you submit your application.  Letters of recommendation are not accepted.

References must be completed no later than one week after the application window closes.  If a reference is not received for an applicant, the application will still be reviewed but it will be awarded 0 points instead of a positive reference score.

All application components are reviewed and scored with respect to the following three elements:

1.  Commitment to the study of International Business (approx. half of score)

Students pursing International Business credentials (an international business major or minor) receive preference for scholarship awards.  Commitment to the study of international business is also demonstrated through the completion of IB coursework, feedback provided by the applicant's reference, and through Essay #1 (Professional Direction & International Business).

NOTE:  Longer experiences (6 weeks or longer) and experiences with an employment element (internships) also receive additional consideration as they demand a higher level of commitment on the part of the student.

2. Financial Need

Financial need is established both through the FAFSA process (including potential unmet need), through Essay #2 (Additional Financial Need & Circumstances), and by the inclusion of work experience during the academic year on the submitted resume.

3. Academic Performance and Potential

Academic performance and potential are assessed through the applicant's in-residence GPA, the submitted resume, feedback provided by the applicant's reference, and the ability to communicate and write effectively in the essay portion of the application.

Mutliple awards of up to $5,000 each are made each semester.  The number and amount of awards will vary depending on applicant demand.

If your question is not answered here please feel free to email it to us at [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!