Gilman Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program

Description
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship supports U.S. undergraduate students who wish to study or intern abroad during a variety of academic terms (spring, summer, fall, winter, or full academic year). The program helps make international study accessible to students with financial need and emphasizes timely matching of scholarship term to program dates. Applicants must choose the scholarship term that corresponds to their program’s start and end dates to ensure correct consideration. Deadlines and acceptances are term-specific, so applicants should confirm the correct cycle before submitting.

- **Purpose:** Increase accessibility of study and internship abroad for U.S. undergraduates with financial need.
- **Scope:** Supports study and internship programs across multiple academic terms.
- **Term matching:** Apply to the scholarship term that matches your program dates.
- **Advance planning:** Confirm the applicable application cycle before you begin.

Application Timeline
Gilman uses term-based application cycles with specific deadlines tied to program start dates. For example, the October 2026 cycle opens in mid-August 2026 and covers programs starting between December 1, 2026 and October 31, 2027—including Winter/January 2027, Spring 2027, Maymester 2027, Summer 2027, Fall 2027, and the 2027–2028 academic year. The program also lists a March 2026 deadline for an earlier cycle; consult the term pages for exact dates. Applicants and their advisors will be notified of selection outcomes by email; for the October 2026 cycle, notifications are sent in December 2026 and advisors can view student status in their Gilman advisor accounts.

- **October 2026 cycle:** Opens mid‑August; covers programs 12/1/2026–10/31/2027.
- **Other cycles:** Refer to each term page (e.g., March 2026) for deadlines.
- **Notifications:** Applicants notified by email in the cycle’s notification month (e.g., Dec 2026).
- **Advisor access:** Advisors receive notifications and can view student statuses in Gilman accounts.

Time Zone & Submission Rules
All Gilman application deadlines are set in Pacific Time (PT). Applicants living outside the Pacific Time Zone must account for time differences when preparing and submitting materials; late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances. Plan to submit well ahead of the posted deadline to avoid technical or timing issues. Missing the deadline will disqualify the application for that cycle.

- **Deadline clock:** All deadlines are Pacific Time (PT).
- **No late submissions:** Late applications are not accepted.
- **Plan ahead:** Submit early to avoid time-zone and technical problems.

Eligibility
To apply for the Gilman Scholarship, applicants must meet basic academic and financial-need criteria established by the program. Eligible students are U.S. citizens or nationals and must be undergraduate students in good standing at an accredited U.S. institution (two‑year or four‑year). Applicants must also demonstrate financial need by receiving a Federal Pell Grant at the time of application or provide proof that they will receive one during their study abroad or internship term. Meeting these eligibility criteria is required before selection.

- **Citizenship:** U.S. citizen or national required.
- **Academic status:** Undergraduate student in good standing at an accredited U.S. institution (2‑ or 4‑year).
- **Financial need:** Receiving or slated to receive a Federal Pell Grant for the study term.
- **Basic requirement:** Must meet all listed eligibility criteria to be considered.

Program Restrictions & Safety
Programs must be located in countries or locations with an overall U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2. Even within a Level 1 or 2 country, specific areas designated Level 3 or 4 are off‑limits to Gilman scholars; participation in any country or area with an overall or area‑specific Level 3 or 4 designation is prohibited. The U.S. Department of State may require program changes, pause awards, or alter scholar status at any point if health or security conditions change. Applicants should verify destination advisories and be prepared for contingency plans if the security situation evolves.

- **Allowed destinations:** Only locations with overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2.
- **Prohibited areas:** Any country or sub‑region with a Level 3 or 4 advisory is not permitted.
- **Dynamic conditions:** Awards and program participation can be modified for health or security reasons.
- **Verify advisories:** Check current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories before applying.

Award Conditions & Reapplication
Gilman scholarships are limited to one award per recipient; a student may not receive the scholarship more than once. If an applicant previously declined a Gilman award, they may reapply provided they still meet all eligibility requirements at the time of application. Prior to disbursement, scholars must provide proof of acceptance into a credit‑bearing study abroad or internship program. Final award offers are contingent on the availability of funds and the prevailing health and security conditions at the program location.

- **One‑time award:** Recipients may receive the Gilman Scholarship only once.
- **Declined awards:** Previously declined awards do not permanently bar reapplication if eligibility is met.
- **Acceptance proof:** Program acceptance must be supplied before funds are disbursed.
- **Contingencies:** Awards depend on available funds and destination health/security status.

History of the Award
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is administered by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The program focuses on expanding access to international learning opportunities for U.S. undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need. It operates through defined application cycles, eligibility standards, and safety requirements to ensure scholars can participate in meaningful and secure international experiences. Gilman integrates coordination with campus advisors and official travel advisories to manage awards responsibly.

- **Administrator:** U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
- **Mission:** Broaden access to international study and internships for students with financial need.
- **Operational model:** Term-based cycles with eligibility, safety screening, and advisor coordination.
- **Responsible awarding:** Aligned with travel advisories and funding availability.