Gilman Scholarship Programme Application Requirements

American students can get a Gilman Scholarship to learn other languages and cultures, enhancing their academic and professional development. Students with limited financial resources can study or intern overseas via the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program of the U.S. Department of State, developing skills vital to our economy and national security. So, read on for eligibility!

Applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant at the time of application or show confirmation that they will be for the duration of their study abroad program or internship in order to be eligible for the Gilman Program.

About Gilman Scholarship

Since the program’s start in 2001, the Institute of International Education has been in charge of its administration.

Award Benefits: Nearly 3,000 scholarships of up to $5,000 will be awarded this academic year for U.S. citizen undergraduates to study or intern abroad.

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Scholarship Eligibility Criteria

The Gilman Scholarship is only available once to each recipient. If a student has turned down the Gilman Scholarship before, they are eligible to apply again as long as they still match all of the criteria detailed below.

The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State administers the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program.

Please take note of the changes to our program eligibility listed below in bold italics. For consideration for a Gilman Scholarship, a candidate must:

1. A resident or national of the US;

2. A first-year undergraduate student enrolled full-time in a two- or four-year institution of higher learning in the United States that has been accredited;

3. Receiving a Federal Pell Grant at the time of application or demonstrating that they will during the duration of their study abroad program or internship;

4. Currently applying for or accepted into a study abroad or internship program that awards credit.

5. Applying for credit-bearing study abroad programs in a country or region with an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2, according to the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Advisory System, or is on the list of authorized Travel Advisory Level 3 countries/areas, requires proof of program acceptance prior to award disbursement.

However, certain locations within these countries or areas may be designated within the Travel Advisory as either “Do not travel to” (Level 4) or “Reconsider travel to” (Level 3) locations, as such; students will not be allowed to travel to these specific locations.

Please be aware that as of January 1, 2024, the Gilman Program has temporarily revised the Travel Advisory Policy to permit Gilman Scholars to study or intern in specific locations that have a Level 3 Travel Advisory.

At any time during the application, selection, or program period, the U.S. Department of State reserves the right to ask for program amendments for certain nations or regions. Final awards are subject to funding availability and local security conditions. Additionally, ongoing activities may be halted in coordination with the American embassy while still in progress.

Application Deadlines & Timeline

During the spring, summer, fall, winter, or academic year terms, students have the option of studying and interning abroad. For details on the deadlines and schedules for the application cycle, see each term.

In order to be considered for the Gilman Scholarship, students must submit their applications for the appropriate scholarship term based on the dates of their programs.

Important Information: As you prepare to submit your application, please be advised that the deadline is in Pacific Time (PT) and account for any time differences. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.

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How to Apply

Step 1: Submit the application by the student deadline.

The following are critical components of the application:

Statement of Purpose and Community Impact Essays
Transcripts (unofficial and official both accepted)

Step 2: Your application must be certified by the advisor deadline by both the study abroad and financial aid certifying advisors.

The applicant shall guarantee that by the advisor deadline, both advisors have certified the application.
To find the proper advisors to certify their applications for financial aid and study abroad, each candidate must get in touch with the relevant departments at their home universities.
Contact the appropriate advisor(s) at your school if an advisor isn’t listed in the online application so they can create an account in the Gilman Advisor Portal and get it verified within 1-2 working days. The advisor’s name will show up in the online application after verification.

No applications will be taken into consideration without certifications.

Application Deadlines & Timeline

March 2024 deadline

October 2024 deadline

Application Process

1. Application Cycle opens.

2. Students submit applications

3. Study Abroad and Financial Aid Advisors certify submitted applications.

4. Gilman Program screens the eligibility of submitted applications

5. Selection Panelists recommend eligible applications

6. U.S. Department of State reviews and approves recommended applications.

7. Gilman Program sends award notifications to all applicants.

Award Distribution

When recipients’ award paperwork is finished, and approved, and their scholarship funds are transferred via IIePay, the Gilman Scholarship Program will contact them (Zelle). Disbursements for awards are made about 3–4 weeks after your award documentation is finished.

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Selection Criteria

The award values vary from $100 to $5000, with the possibility of receiving an $8000 Critical Need Language Award.

Based on the advisor’s estimate of the applicant’s study abroad costs and other financial aid data submitted through the application, financial need is determined.

Financial need, program length, overall program costs, and the quality of the application will all be taken into account when determining the ultimate grant amount for a Gilman Scholar during the selection panel’s recommendation process.

For more information on Selection Criteria CLICK HERE

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