Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program

http://www.iie.org/en/Programs/Gilman-Scholarship-Program

Description: The Gilman International Scholarship Program offers grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies abroad. Such international study is intended to better prepare U.S. students to assume significant roles in an increasingly global economy and interdependent world. The Oilman scholarship aims to support students who have been traditionally under-represented in study abroad, including but not limited to, students with high financial need, community college students, students in under-represented fields such as the sciences and engineering, students with diverse ethnic backgrounds, and students with disabilities.

Dollar Value: Scholarships of up to $5,000 will be awarded. Award amounts will vary depending on the length of study and student need with the average award being $4,000. Students who apply for and receive the Gilman Scholarship to study abroad are now eligible to receive an additional $3,000 Critical Need Language Supplement from the Gilman Program for a total possible award of up to $8,000.

Number of Scholarships: 820 Gilman scholarships. 25 Critical Need Language Supplements will be offered to Gilman Scholarship recipients.

Eligibility: The Gilman Scholarship is open to all US citizen undergraduates, in good academic standing, who meet the following criteria:

  • The applicant must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant or provide proof that he/she will be receiving a Pell Grant at the time of application or during the term of their study abroad.
  • The applicant is applying to or has been accepted into a study abroad program eligible for credit by the student's accredited institution of higher education in the U.S.
  • The applicant is studying abroad for at least 4 weeks in one country. Programs going to more than one country are eligible if the student will be studying in one country for at least 4 weeks.
  • The applicant is studying abroad in any country except Cuba or a country on the State Department's current Travel Warning list.
  • The applicant is studying in the fall, spring, or academic year terms including winter inter-sessions. Summer only programs are not eligible.

Application Procedures: There are four components to the Oilman Scholarship Application:

  1. Online student section;
  2. Online study abroad advisor certification;
  3. Online financial aid advisor certification; and
  4. Three paper copies of the student's transcripts.

All four components must be completed by the deadlines for the application to be accepted. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered and extensions cannot be granted.

Deadline: Varies by Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters

Contact:

Gilman International Scholarship Program, Institute of International Education
520 Post Oak Blvd., Suite 740,
Houston, TX 77027-9407

Phone: 713-621-6300, ext 25
Fax: 713-621-0876
Email:
Applicants with last names beginning A - K, gilman@iie.org
Applicants with last names beginning L-Z, gilmanapp@iie.org

Fellowships Coordinator:

Name: Scott Handley, Honors College, University Hall 212
Phone: 417-836-6371
Email: scotthandley@missouristate.edu

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible for the Oilman International Scholarship?

To be eligible for the Gilman International Scholarship students must be U.S.-citizen, undergraduate students who are currently enrolled in an accredited institution of higher education in the U.S. All applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant, or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of study abroad, at the time of application. Students must be applying to a study abroad program eligible for undergraduate academic credit at their home university.

The student has never traveled or studied abroad before. Should they apply?

Yes, a principal objective of the Gilman Scholarship Program is to expand international educational opportunities by encouraging applications from students who have not previously studied abroad for undergraduate academic credit.

What is a Federal Pell Grant?

A Federal Pell Grant is a form of federal financial aid that students apply for via the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If the applicant is unsure if they are receiving a Pell Grant please ask them to contact their financial aid advisor to confirm their aid status. For more information on the Pell Grant and other types of Federal Financial Aid please access the Student Guide to Federal Financial Aid.

What study abroad programs are eligible for the Gilman International Scholarship?

Any study abroad program that is eligible for undergraduate academic credit is eligible for the Gilman International Scholarship. This includes, but is not limited to, university or program provider administered study abroad programs, credit-bearing service-learning programs, academic internship programs, student teaching abroad programs, and programs that combine field or other research, etc.

The student is not participating in a study abroad program but is rather applying for a full-degree program overseas whereby they will receive a degree directly from an international institution. Are they eligible to apply?

No, only U.S. citizens currently enrolled as undergraduate students at a U.S. institution of higher education and participating in a study abroad program of up to one academic year are eligible for the Gilman Program. The Gilman Scholarship does not fund full-degree study overseas.

What is the minimum length of study required to be eligible to apply for the Gilman Scholarship? Are short-term programs eligible?

Programs must be a minimum of four weeks and a maximum of one academic year. Short-term programs are eligible so long as they fall within the eligible start dates for each cycle and are at least four weeks long. The program that students participate in must be a university-approved study abroad program that is eligible for undergraduate, academic credit at the student's home university. Summer programs are not eligible for the Gilman Scholarship as there is no summer cycle nor are awards made for summer-only study abroad.

Are multi-country programs eligible?

Yes, multi-country programs are eligible so long as students will spend a minimum of four weeks in one country. Within the application students should list the country they will spend the majority of their time abroad in and then within their essay they can share further information on the structure and location of their program abroad.