Gilman Scholarship

Students can study and intern abroad during the spring, summer, fall, winter, or academic year term. Refer to each term for specific dates on the deadlines and timelines for the application cycle. It is important that students apply for the correct scholarship term according to their program dates.

Step 1: Submit application by student deadline.

The following are critical components of the application:

• Statement of Purpose and Community Impact Essays
• Transcripts (unofficial and official both accepted)
• Abroad Program Details (only credit-bearing programs are eligible)
• Certifying Advisors (select your study abroad and financial aid advisor)

A PDF version of the online application is available for reference. As a reminder, only applications submitted through the online portal will be considered.

Step 2: Both Study Abroad and Financial Aid Certifying Advisors must certify your application by the advisor deadline.

• It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that both advisors have certified their application by the advisor deadline.
• All applicants must contact the appropriate offices at their home institutions to determine the correct study abroad and financial aid certifying advisors they should select to certify their application.
• If an advisor is not listed within the online application, reach out to the appropriate advisor(s) at your institution and ask them to register as a Gilman advisor prior to the application deadline. Once they are registered you will be able to select your institution and advisors in your application.
• Applications without certifications will not be considered.

Eligibility Note

Gilman scholarship recipients can only receive the scholarship once. If a student previously declined a Gilman scholarship, they are welcome to re-apply, as long as they still meet all eligibility requirements listed below.

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Gilman Program) is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. To be eligible for a Gilman scholarship, an applicant must be:

• A citizen or national of the United States;
• An undergraduate student in good standing at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States (including both two-year and four-year institutions);
• Receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship;
• In the process of applying to, or accepted to, a credit-bearing study abroad or internship program. Proof of program acceptance is required prior to award disbursement;
• Applying for credit-bearing study abroad programs in a country or location with an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2, according to the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Advisory System. It is important to note that certain areas within a country or location that has an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2 may be designated within the Travel Advisory as either Level 3 or Level 4; Gilman scholars will not be allowed to travel to these specific areas. Gilman scholars are unable to participate in programs located in a country or location — or an area within a country or location — that is designated as either a Level 3 (“Reconsider travel to”) or Level 4 (“Do not travel to”).

The U.S. Department of State reserves the right to request program changes for specific countries or locations if deemed necessary during any stage of the application, selection process, or while on program. Final awards are contingent upon the availability of funds and the health and security situation in a country or location. Furthermore, a Gilman scholar’s status may be affected should the health or security situation in a country or location change.