The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is run by the U.S. Department of State. It helps students with limited money to study or intern abroad. The goal is to grow future American leaders who are diverse and have global skills.
This program supports students with high financial need. It helps them study or intern abroad. They gain skills that help them grow, prepare for careers, and serve as ambassadors for the U.S.
Key Takeaways :Benjamin A Gilman International Scholarship
- The Gilman-McCain Scholarship offers 100 awards of $5,000 each for the current academic year.
- The Gilman International Scholarship program awards over 3,200 scholarships annually to U.S. citizen undergraduates.
- Applicants studying critical need languages are eligible for a total award of $8,000.
- Students must be receiving or eligible for a Federal Pell Grant to qualify for the scholarship.
- The scholarship supports diverse students, including those in underrepresented fields like STEM, students with disabilities, and first-generation college students.
What is the Benjamin A Gilman International Scholarship?
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is a top program funded by the U.S. Department of State. It helps make studying abroad and international internships possible for students who get the Federal Pell Grant. This grant is for students who really need it.
Program Overview
The Gilman Scholarship offers up to $8,000 for students to study or intern abroad. It covers up to $5,000 for the study abroad program. Plus, it adds $3,000 for critical need language study and $1,000 for STEM research.
To apply, students must be U.S. citizens, in good grades, and getting or will get a Federal Pell Grant. The program wants students to explore places beyond the usual study abroad spots. This includes countries that are important for U.S. national security.
Being a Gilman scholar also gives you 12 months of non-competitive eligibility for federal jobs. This means you have an edge when applying for jobs after you return.
The Institute of International Education has run the Gilman Scholarship since 2001. This shows the program’s dedication to giving students from all backgrounds a chance to learn globally.
“The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a game-changer for students who want to study abroad but face financial barriers. It opens up a world of possibilities and helps cultivate the next generation of globally-minded leaders.”
The Importance of the Gilman Scholarship
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a game-changer for American students. It helps those from different backgrounds and with limited money to learn languages and cultures. This scholarship lets undergrads who might not otherwise go abroad to explore the world and get ready for their future.
It encourages students from underrepresented groups to go international. This way, the Gilman Scholarship builds a future full of diverse American leaders. These students learn to communicate across cultures and build global networks, key for U.S. security and growth.
More than 30,000 students are part of the Gilman Scholar community. And 100% of them got funding for their study abroad. Many Gilman Scholars say their time abroad helped them land global internships, showing the scholarship’s value for their careers.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Gilman Scholars | Over 30,000 |
| Gilman Scholars who received funding | 100% |
| Gilman Scholars who secured global internships | Significant portion |
The Gilman Scholarship’s impact goes beyond individual students. Schools like Spelman College and George Washington University use it to open doors to study abroad for more students. This makes their student bodies more diverse and globally aware.
In short, the Gilman Scholarship is crucial. It helps students from all walks of life gain the skills and connections they need for success. By supporting underrepresented students, it’s shaping the next leaders of America and helping the country thrive.
Benjamin A Gilman International Scholarship
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program honors Congressman Benjamin A. Gilman from New York. It was created by the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State runs it. Its main aim is to increase the number of U.S. students studying abroad.
This scholarship helps undergraduate students who can’t afford to study abroad. To apply, students must be U.S. citizens and current Pell Grant recipients. It mainly helps students with financial need. Veterans of military service get extra consideration if other factors are the same.
Scholarship Benefits and Eligibility
The Gilman Scholarship covers many costs like tuition and airfare. It can give up to $5,000. For students learning critical languages, there’s an extra $3,000.
Students must go to places with a Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2. They also need to study or intern for at least two weeks for community college students and three weeks for students at four-year institutions.
The program supports diversity by helping underrepresented groups. This includes first-generation college students and racial and ethnic minorities. It also helps students with disabilities and those who have not studied abroad before.
Award Benefits and Eligibility
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a great chance for U.S. undergrads to study or intern abroad. Each year, nearly 3,000 students get up to $5,000 to cover costs like tuition, room, and books. They also get help with airfare, insurance, and visa fees.
The Gilman Program also gives extra money for STEM research or studying critical languages. The Critical Need Language Award adds up to $3,000 for students in certain locations. They must show a need for a specific language.
To apply for the Gilman Scholarship, you need to get a Federal Pell Grant and be in a study abroad program. The program looks for students from underrepresented groups. This includes those at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) or other minority-serving schools.
Also, Gilman scholars get 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status in the federal government. This is a big plus when you’re looking for a job after you return.
“The Gilman Scholarship has been transformative for me. It allowed me to study abroad in Japan and gain invaluable intercultural experience that has shaped my personal and professional development.”
– Jane Doe, Gilman Scholar
Application Process and Deadlines
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship has a simple application process. It has two cycles a year. The first cycle’s deadline is October 2024 for programs starting between December 1, 2024, and October 31, 2025. The second cycle’s deadline is March 2025 for programs starting between May 1, 2025, and April 30, 2026. You’ll find out if you’re selected in December 2024 and May 2025.
Application Opening Dates and Deadlines
To help you with the gilman scholarship application process, we offer many resources. These include:
- Information sessions to help you understand the application requirements
- Essay review opportunities to improve your application essays
- Help from study abroad advisors and financial aid advisors to guide you
The fall application period starts in mid-August and ends in early October. The spring application period starts in mid-January and ends in early March. It’s best to start your application 3 weeks before the application deadlines to avoid any last-minute issues receiving federal pell grant funding.
| Deadline | Program Start Date | Notification |
|---|---|---|
| October 2024 | December 1, 2024 – October 31, 2025 | December 2024 |
| March 2025 | May 1, 2025 – April 30, 2026 | May 2025 |
To apply for the Gilman Scholarship, you need to submit your transcripts and essays. You also need certification from financial aid advisors and study abroad advisors. Make sure to submit your application online by the application deadlines program broadens the student population application or provide proof.
The selection panel looks for personal and academic details in your essays. This includes the Statement of Purpose, Building Mutual Understanding essay, and Follow-On Service Project Proposal. Each essay has a character limit study and intern abroad programs study abroad program or internship.
Also Read : Exploring The Fulbright Program: A Gateway To International Education
Conclusion
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is a game-changer. It helps diverse U.S. undergrads explore the world and gain vital skills for today’s world. The scholarship gives financial help and resources, letting students from all walks of life study or intern abroad.
This opens doors to cultural exchange, building global networks, and boosting personal and career growth. It also helps the U.S. in security and economic areas.
The program’s effects are clear. Two-thirds of Gilman Scholars say they can connect Americans with people from different cultures when they get back. It also makes students less worried about living abroad, dropping from 52% to 26%.
Moreover, 87% of those who went back to college showed more interest in international topics. Many even picked majors or minors related to these subjects.
The Gilman Scholarship prepares students to adapt, understand different cultures, and find jobs globally. It’s a key player in expanding study abroad to more places. This shows how investing in global learning can shape the next leaders, driving U.S. success worldwide.
FAQs
Q: What is the Gilman International Scholarship program?
A: The Gilman International Scholarship program is a federal initiative that provides awards to U.S. undergraduate students who are receiving a federal Pell Grant, enabling them to study and intern abroad. The program aims to broaden the student population that participates in study abroad programs.
Q: What are the eligibility requirements for the Gilman scholarship program?
A: To be eligible for the Gilman scholarship program, applicants must be U.S. citizens, undergraduates enrolled at a four-year college or university, and recipients of a federal Pell Grant at the time of application. They must also be applying to study abroad or intern abroad programs worldwide.
Q: How do I apply for the Gilman International Scholarship program?
A: Students can apply for the Gilman International Scholarship by submitting a completed gilman application, which includes personal statements and proof of their Pell Grant status. Applications can typically be submitted online through the scholarship’s official website.
Q: What types of programs are covered by the Gilman scholarship information?
A: The Gilman scholarship information covers a variety of study abroad programs and internships. Students can receive financial assistance for programs that are at least three weeks long and take place in any country worldwide, including critical need language programs.
Q: When is the time of application for the Gilman scholarship?
A: The time of application for the Gilman scholarship generally falls twice a year, with deadlines in early October and early March. Students should ensure that they submit their applications before the deadline to be considered for funding for their term of study abroad.
Q: Can I receive the Gilman-McCain Scholarship as well?
A: Yes, the Gilman-McCain Scholarship is intended for students whose parents are on active duty in the U.S. military. Students can apply for both the Gilman scholarship program and the Gilman-McCain Scholarship if they meet the respective eligibility requirements.
Q: How does the Gilman scholarship program support students with limited financial means to study abroad?
A: The Gilman scholarship program provides awards specifically designed to assist students with limited financial means to study or intern abroad. By covering a portion of the costs associated with education abroad, the program increases access to international experiences for undergraduates.
Q: What should I include in my gilman application?
A: In your gilman application, you should include personal essays detailing your study abroad goals, how the experience will impact your future, and any proof of receiving a Pell Grant. Be sure to highlight how your chosen program aligns with your academic and career objectives.
Q: What is the program length for which I can receive the Gilman scholarship?
A: The Gilman scholarship provides awards for study or internship programs that are a minimum of three weeks in length. This ensures that students have a meaningful international experience while abroad.
Source Links
- https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/program/gilman-mccain-scholarships/
- https://onsa.asu.edu/scholarship/gilman-international-scholarship
- https://ousf.duke.edu/award/benjamin-gilman-international-scholarship-program/
- https://ccrf.uchicago.edu/opportunity/benjamin-gilman-international-scholarship
- https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/2020/10/02/why-it-matters/
- https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/topgilman20year/campus-impact/
- https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/2020/09/10/how-studying-abroad-helped-me-make-my-community-more-visible/
- https://global.utexas.edu/abroad/funding/scholarships/gilman
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_A._Gilman_International_Scholarship
- https://undergraduate.northeastern.edu/research/awards/benjamin-a-gilman-scholarship/
- https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/program/program-overview/
- https://exchanges.state.gov/us/program/benjamin-gilman-international-scholarship-program
- https://www.ciee.org/go-abroad/college-study-abroad/scholarships/gilman-scholarship
- https://globallearning.ucdavis.edu/resources/funding/studyabroad/gilman
- https://www.wm.edu/as/ouaa/national-fellowships/gilman.php
- https://international.uiowa.edu/news/2024/05/how-apply-benjamin-gilman-international-scholarship
- https://eca.state.gov/files/bureau/2016.29.04_gilman_evaluation_report.pdf
- https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/2018/06/11/changed-for-the-better/
- http://www.stepbeyondborders.org/benjamin-gilman-international-scholarship/
