The Boren Scholarships fund American undergraduates to spend anywhere from 8 to 52 weeks studying a critical language in a part of the world that few U.S. students choose for study abroad. The money is real, but so is the catch: winners commit to working for the U.S. Federal Government in a national security role after they graduate. That single condition shapes everything about who should apply, and it is the first thing a Pakistani student needs to understand before spending time on this one. You can see the full scholarship details on our listing as well.
Here is the blunt version. Boren is for U.S. citizens. If you are a Pakistani student with only a Pakistani passport, you cannot apply, no matter how strong your grades are. Where this guide becomes useful for our readers is the Pakistani diaspora: students who hold U.S. citizenship (for example, those born in the United States or naturalized there) and are enrolled at an American college or university.
Key numbers for the 2027 cycle
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Funding | Full or partial, up to $25,000 depending on program length |
| Study level | Undergraduate |
| Provider | Defense Language and National Security Education Office (DLNSEO) |
| Home country of the award | United States |
| Applications open | Fall 2026 (expected) |
| National deadline | January 27, 2027 |
| Official site | borenawards.org |
A U.S. scholarship built around national security
Boren is run by the Defense Language and National Security Education Office. Its purpose is narrow and openly stated: to build language and cultural skills in regions that matter to U.S. interests, including Africa, Asia, Eurasia, Latin America and the Middle East. Western Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are excluded as study destinations.
After the program, Boren Scholars must work in positions critical to U.S. national security somewhere in the Federal Government. The source names the Departments of State, Defense and Homeland Security as examples. If a government career is something you would actively want, this condition is a benefit, because Boren is a direct route into that world. If you see your future in private industry, academia or outside the U.S., think hard before you sign up for a service commitment.
How the award amount follows the length of your program
Boren does not pay a flat figure. The amount is tied to how long you spend overseas:
- $8,000 for 8-11 weeks, and this short option is for STEM majors only
- $12,500 for 12-24 weeks
- $25,000 for 25-52 weeks
Within those limits, the funding can go toward tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, visa and related travel costs, and round-trip airfare that complies with the Fly America Act. That last point matters in practice. Do not book a flight on whichever airline is cheapest and assume it will be reimbursed. Check the Fly America rules with your Boren advisor first.
Because the source lists funding as "full or partial", do not assume the award will cover every cost of a long program. Build a budget for your chosen country and see where the gap, if any, sits. You are allowed to hold other financial aid as long as it does not pay for the same expenses, and you must report all additional funding to your Boren advisor.
The citizenship rules and what they mean for Pakistani-Americans
All seven eligibility conditions have to be met. You must:
- be a U.S. citizen at the time of application
- be a high school graduate or hold a GED
- be at least 18 years old when you apply
- be matriculated in an undergraduate degree program at a U.S. institution
- plan to study in a country outside Western Europe, Canada, Australia or New Zealand
- not be a citizen of the country where your study program takes place
- commit to the federal service requirement after graduation
Two of these deserve a second look if you have family roots in Pakistan. The first rule closes the door to students on F-1 or other visas, even if they study at a U.S. university. The sixth rule means a dual U.S. and Pakistani citizen could not use Boren to study in Pakistan, since you cannot be a citizen of the host country. Choose a destination where you hold no citizenship.
You also have to stay matriculated at a U.S. degree-granting institution for the whole funded program. If you are planning to graduate or transfer midway, sort that out with your registrar before applying.
Boren lists a long range of eligible fields, from engineering, computer science and cybersecurity to public health, economics, history, law and nursing. In other words, you do not need to be a languages or international affairs major. What you do need is a believable link between your field, your chosen language and U.S. national security.
Designing your own program or joining a Flagship initiative
There are two ways to structure a Boren application. You can design your own overseas study program, or you can apply for a Regional Flagship Language Initiative (RFLI). The RFLI route gives you credit-bearing language courses in the summer within the U.S. and then in the fall overseas, with the option to extend into the spring.
Whichever route you take, the program has to be immersive. Boren expects at least 15-20 hours of language study per week, and online programs do not qualify at all. Before you fall for a program because of its location or cost, check its weekly contact hours. A program with a light language load is a weak fit, however attractive the city.
STEM majors have one advantage: they can apply for shorter 8-week summer programs, which is the only way into the $8,000 tier. For an engineering or science student who cannot leave their degree for a full semester, this is often the most realistic option.
What goes into the application
The application asks for four items:
- application essays
- letters of recommendation
- a matriculation form or letter from your registrar
- transcripts
The paperwork is light compared with many international scholarships. The essays carry the weight. They should focus on your professional goals and on the national security side of your proposed study. Many applicants write a lovely essay about cultural curiosity and personal growth, then say almost nothing about why their language and region matter to the U.S. government. That is the most common way to waste a Boren application.
For recommendations, pick referees who can speak to your commitment and your ability to handle intensive language study, not just your grades. Give them plenty of time before the deadline.
Applying for the January 27, 2027 deadline
The process, in order:
- Create a new application on the official Boren Awards website.
- Contact the Boren Awards campus representative at your institution.
- Select or design an eligible overseas study program.
- Draft your essays around your professional goals and the national security link.
- Submit by the national deadline.
The expected timeline for this cycle looks like this:
| Stage | Timing |
|---|---|
| Applications open | Fall 2026 |
| National deadline | January 27, 2027 |
| Selection notifications | Mid-to-late April 2027 |
| Earliest program start | June 2027 |
| Latest program start | March 1, 2028 |
Treat the national deadline as the last possible date, not your target. Your college may set an earlier internal campus deadline so the campus representative can review applications first. Ask about it the moment you decide to apply, and confirm all dates on the official portal since the cycle had not yet opened at the time of writing.
Where strong applications pull ahead
Talk to your campus representative early. They can read drafts and tell you where your argument is thin, and that feedback is far more useful in October than in late January.
Read the list of preferred languages and destinations on the Boren website before you settle on a country. Picking a preferred language and region strengthens your application. Picking a destination only because you like it, without a clear security rationale, weakens it.
Be honest with yourself about the service requirement. It is a condition of the award, not a formality. If you are unsure whether you want a federal career, talk it through with your Boren advisor before accepting money that comes with that obligation.
If you are a Pakistani student without U.S. citizenship, the better use of your time is a scholarship open to international students. Browse all United States scholarships or our scholarships guide for Pakistani students instead.
Frequently asked questions
Can a Pakistani student studying in the U.S. on a student visa apply?
No. Applicants must be U.S. citizens at the time of application. Studying at a U.S. university is required, but it is not enough on its own.
Can I apply from a community college?
Yes, community college students are encouraged to apply. Apply from your current institution and indicate where you plan to transfer.
Are online language programs eligible?
No. Boren funds in-person, immersive overseas study only. Online programs do not qualify.
Can I hold Boren alongside other scholarships?
Yes, as long as the other funding does not cover the same expenses. You must report all additional funding to your Boren advisor.
Do I need to have studied abroad before?
No prior experience is needed. The program aims to widen access for students who have not studied abroad.
Is the 8-week option open to everyone?
No. The $8,000 award for 8-11 weeks is for STEM majors only. Other students need a program of at least 12 weeks.
Before you start, check the latest rules and dates on the official Boren Awards website, and keep our Boren Scholarships page handy for the key facts.