Scholarship Overview

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship offers a fantastic opportunity for undergraduate students from the United States with limited financial means to study or intern abroad. This initiative aims to equip participants with critical skills that contribute to the country's economic competitiveness and national security. By encouraging students to immerse themselves in diverse cultures and languages, especially in critical need languages, the program strives to enhance their academic and career prospects. It supports a broad array of countries and regions for study, making it a versatile choice for students aiming to globalize their educational experience.

Host Institution(s)

The scholarship facilitates studies or internships at various universities and organizations outside the United States, broadening the academic horizons of participants.

Level(s)/Field(s)

The program is open to all fields of study, encouraging a wide range of undergraduate students to apply. It specifically targets those enrolled in study abroad and internship programs that provide academic credit.

Scholarship Value

Awards range from $100 to $5,000, with the possibility of receiving a Critical Need Language Award of up to $8,000. The scholarship covers approved expenses such as tuition, room and board, books, international and local travel, insurance, and passport and visa fees. The amount awarded depends on the total cost of the program, its duration, the financial need of the student, and the quality of the application.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, applicants must:

  • Be U.S. citizens.
  • Be full-time undergraduate students at accredited U.S. institutions (including both two- and four-year colleges).
  • Be recipients of the Federal Pell Grant at the time of application or prove they will receive it during their study or internship abroad.
  • Apply or be accepted into a credit-bearing study or internship abroad program.
  • Programs must be in countries with an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2 from the U.S. Department of State. Certain areas within these countries may be restricted.

Application Instructions

Applications are open for various terms including spring, summer, fall, winter, or the academic year. The application deadlines are typically set for October for programs beginning between December 1 of the current year and October 31 of the next year, and March for programs starting between May 1 and April 30 of the following year. Interested students should prepare to submit a detailed application, including a project description, financial need evidence, and proof of program acceptance. For detailed application instructions and to start the application process, visit the official Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship website.