Argentina has a large multiethnic and multicultural community and is a fascinating and welcoming country for students choosing to study abroad. The quality of education is excellent and also very affordable.
Argentina has one of the world’s highest literacy rates and is home to many renowned artists, scholars, writers and scientists, some of whom you will find teaching in the many excellent universities.
International students will find a wide and diverse range of higher education institutions offering excellent opportunities for a very high standard of affordable study. There are 38 national universities, 42 private universities, 6 national institutions of higher education and 14 private institutes of higher education. There is also 1 provincial university, 1 foreign university and one international university.
Many international students in Argentina say it is economical to live in this lovely country of hospitable Latin Americans. A $10,000 annual budget will give you a comfortable life, all covered by your tuition fees, accommodation, meals and transportation expenses. One would give Argentina a definite go with those affordable costs.
However, even though you feel that you have sufficient funds to spend in Argentina for the entire duration of your study program, some financial support will be a welcome addition. Free education is always a better option, after all, right?
In this article we compiled the best international student scholarships in Argentina. Start your hunt on the academic goals-fitting scholarship program.
1. Mente Argentina Scholarship Program
Whether it’s studying for a semester, pursuing a major degree, interning with an Argentine Organization or participating in a fun short course, Mente Argentina’s programs are designed for students who want to experience Argentina from a local perspective.
The Mente Argentina Scholarship Program is designed for motivated students who plan to study abroad, however, feel that they need assistance to cover the costs of travel and the program fees.
All Mente Argentina Scholarships are competitive. To receive full consideration, applicants must:
- Have submitted a completed application for a Mente Argentina Program
- Meet all requirements for the scholarship to which they are applying. In the case that a participant does not meet one or more requirement, the application can still be completed and will be analyzed on a case by case basis
- Complete an original essay according to specifications outlined before
- Complete the scholarship application fully with supporting documents. In order to be considered you must submit: 1) Mente Argentina Scholarship Application form, and 2) Application Documents according to the MA Scholarship that you are applying to.
All scholarship materials must be sent to the Mente Argentina’s office by mail, fax, or email as noted on the Scholarship Application Form. Candidates who meet the scholarship criteria and program requirements will have their scholarship application and supporting documents judged by an independent selection committee.
Some of the available scholarships in Argentina provided by this foundation are including the followings.
Academic Merit Scholarship
For academic programs lasting between 1 semester and 1 academic year, scholarships will be awarded in among of $500 to $2500 per student. The number and amount of scholarships awarded will depend on the quality and quantity of applications. The criteria for application are listed below:
- Cumulative GPA requirement: 3.7
- An original 400-500 word essay responding the following prompt: The benefits of studying abroad in Argentina
- Mente Argentina Academic Merit Scholarship Application form
Financial Need Scholarship
For academic programs lasting between 1 semester and 1 academic year, scholarships will be awarded in among of $750 to $2500 per student. The number and amount of scholarships awarded will depend on the quality and quantity of applications. The criteria for application are listed below:
- Cumulative GPA requirement: 3.0
- A 200-300 word statement on the following: Please offer a personal statement that describes any financial circumstances that is relevant to receiving a scholarship.
- An original 400-500 word essay responding the following prompt: “How Studying Abroad in Argentina contributes to my long-term educational goals”
- Mente Argentina Finantial Need Scholarship Application form
Short & ELAP Programs Scholarships in Argentina
For programs lasting between 4 and 18 weeks, scholarships will be awarded in among of $250 to $1000 per student. The number and amount of scholarships awarded will depend on the quality and quantity of applications. The criteria for application are listed below:
- An original 400-500 word essay responding the following prompt: Buenos Aires as a cultural capital of South America.
- Cumulative GPA requirement: 3.7
- Mente Argentina Short & ELAP Scholarship Application form
2. University of Buenos Aires International Scholarships
The University of Buenos Aires is ranked as the best one in Argentina and has a great reputation worldwide. According to the QS World University Rankings, it is the 74th best in the world and the 9th best in Latin America. It has 13 faculties that offer programs for undergraduate and graduate students. It also has a Common Basic Cycle of a year for all new students.
UBA has buildings all over Buenos Aires. Two faculties are centralized in Ciudad Universitaria (“university city”), and the rest can be found throughout the capital city.
As explained in the International section of their website, there are some scholarships in Argentina available for international students interested in pursuing their postgraduate studies in the University, including:
Postgraduate Scholarships for Italian Students
The Postgraduate Scholarship Program for Italian citizens is the result of the Executive Program of a Cultural Agreement between the Governments of Argentina and Italy. The Ministry of Education of Argentina through the National Secretary for International Cooperation offers scholarships for Italian university graduates to complete specializations and master’s degrees and engage in research stays (from 2 to 6 months) within the framework of Doctoral and Postdoctoral studies. A monthly allowance will be granted. Complete applications must be submitted by e-mail to the Argentine Embassy in Italy.
Postgraduate Scholarships for Mexican Students
The Graduate Scholarship Program for Mexican citizens is the result of the Educational and Cultural Cooperation Program between the Governments of Argentina and Mexico. The Ministry of Education of Argentina through the National Secretary of International Cooperation offers scholarships for Mexican university graduates to complete specializations and master’s degrees as well as engage in research stays (2 to 6 months) within the framework of Doctoral and Postdoctoral studies. A monthly allowance will be granted. Complete applications must be submitted by e-mail to the Argentine Embassy in Mexico.
Postgraduate Scholarships for Chinese Students
The Ministry of Education of Argentina, through the National Secretary for International Cooperation, offers postgraduate scholarships as a result of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of Argentina and the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China.
The scholarships are intended for Chinese university graduates to study, do research or take language courses at the postgraduate level in Argentine Universities. The scholarships include a monthly allowance, health care insurance, enrollment in the Spanish course and tuition for master’s degrees and specializations of up to $25,000 (twenty-five thousand Argentine pesos) a year.
3. International Studies Abroad (ISA) Scholarships in Argentina
To help make studying abroad easier, ISA makes a variety of scholarships and grants available to students participating in the programs. There are some scholarships in Argentina available for international students applying through the foundation, including:
Diversity Scholarship
ISA offers the ISA Diversity Scholarship with the goal of bringing the benefits of a global education to historically undeserved student populations. This includes, but is not limited to, students identifying as underrepresented races, ethnic origins, sexual orientations, gender identities, as well as first generation college students and those with accessibility needs.
Live Like Ally Scholarship
These scholarships are awarded in memory of Allison Willen for semester programs. Ally had a contagious love for life, nature, community service, and adventure. Others naturally gravitated towards her kind heart, enthusiasm for learning, and the way she embraced life each day. Students who believe they Live Like Ally and share similar interests such as a passion for volunteering, a love for nature and hiking, and zest for life are encouraged to apply.
Gap Scholarship
These awards aim to encourage students to study abroad before entering their freshman year of college and are available to high school graduates participating in an ISA Gap Program.
4. Roberto Rocca Scholarships in Argentina
The Roberto Rocca Education Program awards the following scholarships in Argentina to students attending 16 universities throughout the country.
Scholarships for new engineering and geosciences students
40 scholarships in Argentina per year for students who begin their studies in selected areas of engineering and the geosciences at 13 public universities.
Scholarships for new Mechanical and Petroleum Engineering students at the Instituto Tecnologico de Buenos Aires
5 scholarships per year for students who begin their studies in Mechanical and Petroleum Engineering at the Instituto Tecnologico de Buenos Aires.
Scholarships for advanced engineering and geosciences students
20 scholarships per year for fourth or fifth year students in selected areas of engineering and the geosciences at 13 public universities.
Scholarships for Mechanical Engineering students at the Instituto Balseiro
3 scholarships per year for students who begin their studies in Mechanical Engineering in the Instituto Balseiro.
Scholarships for Materials Engineering students at the Instituto Sabato
2 scholarships per year for new Materials Engineering students at the Instituto Sabato.
All these scholarships in Argentina are renewed on an annual basis provided the student continues to meet the program’s eligibility requirements.
5. Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, including Argentina, to provide them with skills critical to the country’s national security and economic prosperity. The Institute of International Education has administered the program since its inception in 2001.
By supporting undergraduate students who have high financial need, the program has been successful in supporting students who have been historically underrepresented in education abroad, including but not limited to first-generation college students, students in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) fields, ethnic minority students, students with disabilities, students attending HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) or other minority-serving institutions, students attending community colleges, and students coming from U.S. states with less study abroad participation.
Over 3,600 scholarships of up to $5,000 will be awarded for U.S. citizen undergraduates to study or intern abroad.