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Marketing

Marketing Travel Award

CSUSM CoBA Travel Abroad

Applications for the 2025–2026 Travel Award Scholarship are now closed. Applications for 2026–2027 will open in Fall 2026.

Congratulations to Our 2025-2026 Winners!

 

Madison Taylor

"This award will allow me to continue my marketing studies in Florence, Italy, where I have always dreamed of visiting. This experience will be invaluable to me, as it will expand my understanding of business marketing at a global level."

- Madison Taylor

Nelia Trower

"The Marketing Travel Award will help make my dream a reality by giving me the opportunity to study abroad in Florence, Italy. It will allow me to gain a global business perspective and experience Italy’s rich culture."

- Nelia Trower

Purpose

The Marketing Travel Award supports undergraduate Marketing students at CSUSM in participating in approved CoBA faculty-led study abroad programs. The award helps make international learning opportunities more accessible by providing up to $1,000 to offset program costs.

  • Award amount: up to $1,000

  • Use of funds: No restrictions — recipients may use the award to help with any costs related to their study abroad participation (program fees, airfare, lodging, meals, personal expenses, etc.).

Eligibility

Applicants must:

  • Be a declared Marketing Option or Minor student

  • Be in good academic standing

  • Be accepted into, or actively applying to, a CoBA faculty-led study abroad program

  • Priority may be given to first-generation students, students with financial need, and/or students without prior international study experience

Awardee Commitments

Recipients of the Marketing Travel Award agree to:

  • Document their study abroad experience through reflections, photos, and/or videos

  • Allow the department to use submitted materials in donor communications and promotional efforts to highlight student success

Application Requirements

Submit the following by the deadline:

  1. Personal Statement (1–2 pages) describing the study abroad program, your academic/career goals, and how the award will support your participation

  2. Short Financial Statement (a paragraph outlining funding challenges, work commitments, or loan needs)

  3. Resume or Portfolio Sample (showcasing marketing or storytelling skills)

  4. Optional: Faculty recommendation letter

Selection Criteria

Applications are reviewed by a faculty committee and will be evaluated using the following rubric (maximum 50 points):

Criterion
Description
Points
Academic Performance & Standing
Recognizes strong academic performance, faculty recommendations, or notable class projects.
0–10
Commitment to Study Abroad
Strong evidence of intent to participate in a CSUSM-approved program and commitment to learning from a study abroad experience.
0–10
Motivation & Impact
Quality of personal statement: clarity of goals, enthusiasm, alignment with marketing education, and potential to represent CSUSM.
0–10
Financial Consideration
Self-reported financial need (funding gaps, work obligations, family responsibilities). No official FAFSA data required.
0–10
Diversity & Inclusion
Consideration for first-gen, underrepresented groups, or those without prior international experience.
0–5
Marketing Contribution
Potential to document and share experience in ways that highlight marketing skills (storytelling, visuals, social media).
0–5
Total Possible
  
50
 

Timeline

  • Faculty review & selection: By the third week of November

  • Award disbursed: After all program fees are paid (mid-March)

  • If a selected student withdraws, the award may be reassigned to a runner-up

Eligible 2026 Programs

Students applying for the award must be enrolled in one of the following CoBA faculty-led study abroad programs:

Course
Destination
Dates
Details
GBM 440C
Europe: Germany, Austria, Italy
May 17 – June 1, 2026
GBM 440B
Latin America: Panama, Argentina, Uruguay
June 14 – 28, 2026
OM 305
Italy: Florence
July 12 – Aug 1, 2026
 

Administration

  • Awards are processed via Accounts Payable as taxable income (Form 1099-MISC).

  • Recipients will be recognized publicly through the department website, LinkedIn, and study abroad send-off event.

Take the leap, study abroad and expand your horizons with support from the Marketing Travel Award!