The Gilman Scholarship Program, created by the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000, offers scholarships for U.S. undergraduate students to study abroad.
It is specifically designed for undergraduate students with Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university, supporting their participation in study and intern abroad programs globally. Administered by the U.S. Department of State and financially backed by the U.S. Government, this program is facilitated by the Institute of International Education (IIE).
Scholarship Benefits
- In the current academic year, more than 3200 scholarships ranging up to $5,000 will be granted to undergraduate U.S. citizens for studying abroad (with a chance of an extra $3000 for those applying for the Critical Need Language award).
- The scholarship amounts will differ based on the duration of the study and financial need, with an average award of around $4,000 for students in semester or year-long programs and $2500 for short-term programs.
Eligibility Criteria
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, has specific eligibility criteria. To qualify for a Gilman Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be a United States citizen or national.
- Be a current undergraduate student at a reputable American college or university, with a good academic record and accreditation from a recognized higher education authority.
- Demonstrate receipt of a Federal Pell Grant at the time of application or provide confirmation that they will receive a Pell Grant during their study abroad program or internship.
- Be currently applying to or already accepted into a study abroad or internship program that offers academic credit, and provide proof of acceptance before receiving the award.
- Apply for credit-bearing study programs in countries or locations with a Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2, as per the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Advisory System. It should be noted that even within Level 1 or 2 areas, certain regions may carry a Level 3 or 4 designation; Gilman scholars are prohibited from traveling to these specific locations. Additionally, participants cannot engage in programs situated in countries designated as Level 3 (“Reconsider travel to”) or Level 4 (“Do not travel to”), including specific areas within those regions.
Note: The U.S. Department of State may request modifications to programs in certain countries or regions if deemed essential at any point during the application, selection process, or program duration. The confirmation of scholarship awards depends on fund availability and the prevailing health and security conditions in the designated country or location. Additionally, changes in the health or security situation of a location can impact the status of a Gilman scholar.
Selection Process
The Gilman Scholarship aims to support students from diverse backgrounds, including those with:
- High financial need
- Those studying abroad in non-traditional countries, such as those outside of Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand
- Students from diverse ethnic backgrounds
- Students from a diverse range of academic institutions, including:
- Four-year colleges
- Public and private colleges
- Community colleges
- Historically Black Colleges and Universities
- Tribal Colleges
- Hispanic Serving Institutions
- Other Minority Serving Institutions
- Students with disabilities
Required Documents
- Current University Transcript
- Transfer University Transcript(s)
How to Apply
To commence your application process, click on this link https://apply.gilmanapplication.org/apply/?sr=3c04a9de-b31e-4cf8-9bfb-5df6aff48419&aw=1
For the Gilman Scholarship application, you will need to submit three essays: a Statement of Purpose essay, a Building Mutual Understanding essay, and a Follow-on Service Project Proposal. If you are applying for the Critical Need Language Award or STEM Supplemental Award, you will also need to submit additional essays.
To ensure your essays are well-structured and professionally written, please follow these guidelines:
- Compose your essays using a word processing software and then submit them through the online application system.
- Use 1-inch margins and 12-point Times New Roman font throughout.
- Format your essays in paragraph form, rather than as numbered responses.
- Keep your essays concise:
- Statement of Purpose Essay: 7,000 characters (including spaces)
- Building Mutual Understanding Essay: 3,000 characters (including spaces)
- Follow-on Service Project Proposal: 3,000 characters (including spaces)
- Optional Critical Need Language Award essay: 2,000 characters (including spaces)
- Optional STEM Supplemental Award essay: 1,000 characters (including spaces)
- Ensure that each essay addresses the prompt or theme.
- Double-check your essays after uploading them to ensure the correct file was uploaded.
For more details, visit the official website of the University of Minnesota.
Application Deadline
October 10, 2024.
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