The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship (Gilman) Program provides merit-based scholarships to outstanding American undergraduate students with high financial need, equipping them with the international experience, global networks, and foreign language skills essential to keep the United States safe, strong, and prosperous. Since its inception in 2001, the Gilman Program has supported 44,000 American students to study or intern abroad in over 170 countries. Gilman alumni represent all 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico, and all U.S. territories.
All Gilman scholarship recipients are U.S. undergraduate students with established high financial need as federal Pell Grant recipients. The Gilman Program provides merit-based scholarships of up to $5,000, with supplemental funding available for students studying a critical language and/or conducting STEM-related research while overseas. The Gilman-McCain Scholarship for military families provides specific support for child and spousal dependents of active-duty military members who receive any form of Title IV federal financial aid. Students studying critical languages are eligible to apply for up to $3,000 in additional funding as part of the Gilman Critical Need Language Award program. Students conducting STEM research while overseas are eligible to apply for up to $1,000 in supplemental funding to cover associated costs.
Program Length
The Gilman Scholarship program does not have a minimum program length requirement, so short-term programs are eligible. However, the program must otherwise meet the eligibility requirements, including being credit-bearing.Eligibility and Application Overview
- Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national.
- Applicants must be 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).
- Applicants must be a Pell Grant recipient 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 (or for Gilman-McCain, recipient of any type of Title IV federal financial aid).
- Applicants must be participating in a credit-bearing program abroad up to an academic year length.
- Applicants must be participating in a credit-bearing study abroad or internship program in a country/location with an overall Travel Advisory of 1 or 2, per the U.S. Department of State 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”).
For more information visit the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program website.
