Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program

Name: The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program

Award Amount: Up to $5,000

Information and Eligibility:
The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program empowers students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad. Administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE) since 2001, the Gilman Program helps undergraduates acquire the international skills and global perspective necessary to contribute to U.S. national security, economic competitiveness, and cross-cultural understanding.

This highly competitive, merit-based program supports nearly 3,000 American students each year, helping them develop critical language skills, cultural awareness, and professional experience. The Gilman Program is open to students in all academic fields and encourages participation from those who have traditionally been underrepresented in study abroad—such as first-generation college students, students from community colleges, students with disabilities, and those attending institutions in rural or small-town America.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Applicants must be U.S. citizens enrolled as undergraduates at an accredited two-year or four-year U.S. institution.
• Applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant at the time of application or during the term of their abroad program.
• Participants must be applying to or accepted into a credit-bearing study abroad or internship program in a country eligible under the Gilman guidelines (most countries outside Western Europe, Australia, and New Zealand).
• Programs must be at least three weeks in length (four weeks for community college applicants).
• Applicants must demonstrate academic merit, leadership potential, and the ability to represent the U.S. abroad as cultural ambassadors.

Program Benefits:

• Funding: Nearly 3,000 scholarships awarded annually, up to $5,000 each.
• Supplemental Awards:
  • Critical Need Language Award: Up to an additional $3,000 for studying one of the U.S. Department of State’s designated critical languages (e.g., Arabic, Chinese, Russian, Korean, Persian, etc.).
  • STEM Supplement: Additional funds for students completing STEM-related coursework or internships abroad.
• Covered Expenses: Tuition, housing, airfare, visa and passport fees, insurance, books, local transportation, and other academic costs directly tied to the study or internship program.
• Noncompetitive Eligibility (NCE): Gilman alumni earn 12 months of NCE hiring status within the U.S. federal government, giving them a significant advantage when applying for federal positions. This eligibility can be extended under certain conditions and enables alumni to compete for select government jobs without going through the standard hiring process.

Mission and Goals:
The Gilman Program’s mission is to expand and diversify the U.S. student population studying and interning abroad. It aims to:

• Develop globally minded American leaders with strong foreign-language and cross-cultural communication skills.
• Foster mutual understanding between the United States and other countries through cultural immersion.
• Enhance U.S. national security and economic prosperity by cultivating professionals with international experience and global competence.
• Encourage participation in regions and languages critical to U.S. interests.

About the Program’s Namesake:
The scholarship honors Congressman Benjamin A. Gilman (R-NY), who served 30 years in the U.S. House of Representatives and chaired the Committee on International Relations. The program was established through the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000 to continue his legacy of promoting educational exchange and international collaboration.

Application Process:
Applicants must submit an online application that includes:

• Proof of Pell Grant eligibility.
• Official transcripts.
• Essays outlining academic goals, cultural preparation, and impact of the experience.
• Endorsement or certification from a campus study abroad or financial aid advisor.

Selection is based on academic achievement, financial need, and the applicant’s potential to contribute to the program’s mission.

Deadline: March and October

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