The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Gilman Program) supports students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. The Gilman Program is a competitive, merit-based scholarship. To be eligible for the Gilman Program, applicants must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship. The Institute of International Education has administered the program since its inception in 2001.

The program encourages students to study or intern abroad in all world regions and from all U.S. states, academic fields, and types of institutions.  Almost 60% of all Gilman scholars come from small towns or rural communities across the United States.

Requirements

• A citizen or national of the United States;

• An undergraduate student in good standing at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States (including both two-year and four-year institutions);

• Receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship;

• In the process of applying to, or accepted to, a credit-bearing study abroad or internship program. Proof of program acceptance is required prior to award disbursement;

• Applying for credit-bearing study abroad programs in a country or location with an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2, according to the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Advisory System. It is important to note that certain areas within a country or location that has an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2 may be designated within the Travel Advisory as either Level 3 or Level 4; Gilman scholars will not be allowed to travel to these specific areas. Gilman scholars are unable to participate in programs located in a country or location — or an area within a country or location — that is designated as either a Level 3 (“Reconsider travel to”) or Level 4 (“Do not travel to”).

Application Process

• Step 1: Submit application by student deadline.

  The following are critical components of the application:

  Statement of Purpose and Community Impact Essays

  Transcripts (unofficial and official both accepted)

  Abroad Program Details (only credit-bearing programs are eligible)

  Certifying Advisors (select your study abroad and financial aid advisor)

  As a reminder, only applications submitted through the online portal will be considered.

  A PDF version of the online application is available for reference. As a reminder, only applications submitted through the online portal will be considered.

• Step 2: Both Study Abroad and Financial Aid Certifying Advisors must certify your application by the advisor deadline.

  It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that both advisors have certified their application by the advisor deadline.

  All applicants must contact the appropriate offices at their home institutions to determine the correct study abroad and financial aid certifying advisors they should select to certify their application.

  If an advisor is not listed within the online application, reach out to the appropriate advisor(s) at your institution and ask them to register as a Gilman advisor prior to the application deadline. Once they are registered you will be able to select your institution and advisors in your application.

  Applications without certifications will not be considered.

Application Deadline : Friday, October 3, 2025, at 11:59pm PCT

Application: https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/applicants/application-overview/