The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a U.S. government-funded scholarship that helps undergraduate students with financial need study or intern abroad.
The scholarship provides up to $5,000 toward eligible study abroad or international internship expenses. Selected students may also qualify for additional funding through the Critical Need Language Award or STEM Supplemental Award.
The Fall 2026 Gilman application is currently open, and the student application deadline is October 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship 2026 at a Glance
| Scholarship | Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | U.S. Department of State |
| Administered by | Institute of International Education (IIE) |
| Study level | Undergraduate |
| Study type | Study abroad or international internship |
| Award | Up to $5,000 |
| Additional STEM award | Up to $1,000 |
| Critical Need Language Award | Up to $3,000 |
| Eligible applicants | U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals |
| Pell Grant | Required |
| Fall 2026 deadline | October 1, 2026 |
| Deadline time | 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time |
| Advisor certification deadline | October 8, 2026 |
| Programs covered | Programs starting December 1, 2026–October 31, 2027 |
What Is the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship?
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is a U.S. Department of State program designed to make international education more accessible to undergraduate students who have financial need.
It supports students participating in credit-bearing study abroad programs and eligible international internships.
The program has been funded by Congress and has operated since 2001. Its alumni network now includes more than 50,000 American students and professionals.
Students can use the scholarship for eligible programs lasting from shorter terms to as long as one academic year.
How Much Is the Gilman Scholarship Worth?
The Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship provides up to $5,000.
The exact amount awarded is not automatically $5,000. Award amounts can vary depending on factors such as:
- Financial need
- Length of the study abroad program
- Overall program costs
- Strength of the application
The scholarship can be used toward eligible study abroad program costs and related expenses.
Additional Gilman Funding
Some applicants may also be considered for supplemental awards.
Critical Need Language Award (CNLA): Up to $3,000 for eligible students studying designated critical-need languages abroad.
STEM Supplemental Award: Up to $1,000 for students completing eligible STEM-related coursework or internships abroad.
These supplemental awards are competitive and are not guaranteed simply because an applicant meets the requirements.
Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship Eligibility
Applicants must meet the program’s eligibility requirements.
You must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
- Be an undergraduate student in good standing at an accredited U.S. college or university.
- Be receiving a Federal Pell Grant when applying or during the term of the study abroad program or internship.
- Be applying to or accepted into a credit-bearing study abroad or international internship program.
- Participate in an eligible destination under the U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory requirements.
Students attending both two-year and four-year institutions can apply.
Community college students, including transfer students, are specifically encouraged to apply.
Are International Students Eligible for the Gilman Scholarship?
No.
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is specifically for U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals.
Permanent residents and other non-U.S. citizens are not eligible for the regular Gilman Scholarship.
Therefore, an international student studying at a U.S. university cannot apply for the Gilman Scholarship unless they meet the program’s U.S. citizenship or nationality requirement.
What Study Abroad Programs Qualify?
The program must be credit-bearing.
There is no minimum program length requirement, and multi-country programs can qualify.
Eligible students can participate in study abroad programs or qualifying international internships. For internships, the program must meet Gilman’s requirements, including being credit-bearing and career-oriented.
The destination must also meet the program’s travel advisory requirements.
For the current program rules, students cannot participate in programs located in countries, locations, or specific areas designated as Travel Advisory Level 3 or Level 4.
What Are the Gilman Scholarship Essays?
The application requires four short essays.
Each of the four required essays has a maximum of 500 words:
- Motivations for Studying or Interning Abroad
- Preparation and Skill Development
- Gilman Scholars as Citizen Diplomats
- Contributions to U.S. Communities and Follow-on Service Project Proposal
Applicants for the Critical Need Language Award or STEM Supplemental Award may need additional essays with a maximum of 300 words.
Applicants should write the essays in a word-processing program first, then transfer them into the online application.
What Does Gilman Look for in Applicants?
Gilman applications are reviewed holistically.
The selection process considers factors including the potential impact of the international program and destination on the student’s academic and career development.
The program also encourages applications from students who have never previously studied abroad and veterans of military service. It seeks broad representation from U.S. states and territories and overseas destinations.
This means applicants should clearly explain:
- Why they want to study or intern abroad
- How the program connects with their education
- How the experience supports their career goals
- What they expect to learn
- How they will share the experience with their community
Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship 2026 Deadline
The Fall 2026 Gilman Scholarship application deadline is October 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
The advisor certification deadline is October 8, 2026.
The Fall 2026 cycle is for students whose study abroad programs or internships begin between December 1, 2026, and October 31, 2027.
This cycle covers programs during Winter/January 2027, Spring 2027, Maymester 2027, Summer 2027, Fall 2027 and the 2027–2028 academic year. Applicants are expected to receive notification in December 2026.
Upcoming Gilman Application Cycle
The next Spring 2027 application is scheduled to open in mid-January 2027.
The student deadline is February 25, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time, for eligible programs beginning between May 1, 2027, and April 30, 2028.
How to Apply for the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship
Applications are submitted online through the Gilman application system.
Step 1: Check Your Eligibility
Confirm that you are a U.S. citizen or national, an undergraduate student, a Pell Grant recipient and participating in an eligible credit-bearing international program.
Step 2: Choose an Eligible Program
You must be applying to or accepted into an eligible study abroad program or international internship.
Step 3: Prepare Your Essays
Complete the four required essays and any applicable supplemental essays.
Keep within the required word limits.
Step 4: Prepare Your Transcript
The application requires academic transcript information. The official application overview states that both unofficial and official transcripts are accepted for the application.
Step 5: Select Your Advisors
You need both:
- A study abroad advisor
- A financial aid advisor
These advisors must certify the appropriate sections of your application.
It is your responsibility to make sure both advisors complete their certifications before the advisor deadline. Applications without the required certifications are not considered.
Step 6: Submit Before the Deadline
Submit your application through the online Gilman system before October 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time for the Fall 2026 cycle.
Late applications are not accepted.
Official Gilman Scholarship website: Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
Official application portal: Gilman Online Application System
Documents Needed After Selection
Students who receive a Gilman award must provide additional documentation before receiving the funds.
This can include:
- Proof of U.S. citizenship or U.S. national status
- Proof of acceptance into the study abroad or internship program
- International health insurance coverage
- Official transcript
- Proof of Pell Grant eligibility when required
- STEP enrollment
- Other required award documentation
The Gilman Program does not accept conditional or nomination letters as proof of final program acceptance.
Can First-Time Travelers Apply?
Yes. Students who have never previously studied abroad are encouraged to apply. Gilman’s stated priorities include expanding international education opportunities for students who may not otherwise participate because of financial constraints.
Can Community College Students Apply?
Yes. Students attending two-year colleges are eligible if they meet the other program requirements.
The Gilman Program specifically encourages community college students, including transfer students, to apply.
Is the Gilman Scholarship Fully Funded?
Not necessarily. The scholarship provides up to $5,000, but the amount awarded varies according to financial need, program length, program costs and the strength of the application.
Students should therefore not assume that the scholarship will cover the entire cost of studying abroad.
FAQs
What is the Gilman Scholarship?
It is a U.S. Department of State scholarship that provides funding for eligible undergraduate students to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs.
How much does the Gilman Scholarship pay?
The regular Gilman Scholarship awards up to $5,000. Eligible applicants may also compete for additional supplemental awards.
Who can apply for the Gilman Scholarship?
U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals who are eligible undergraduate students receiving a Federal Pell Grant and participating in an eligible credit-bearing international program can apply.
Can international students apply?
No. The regular Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is limited to U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals.
What is the 2026 Gilman Scholarship deadline?
The Fall 2026 deadline is October 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time. Advisor certification is due October 8, 2026.
Where can I apply?
The application is submitted through the official Gilman online application system.
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