Gilman Study Abroad Scholarships
Did you know that if you receive a Pell Grant, you may be eligible for the Gilman International Scholarship? The @GilmanScholarshipProgram (Facebook & IG) provides awards of up to $5,000 for students receiving Pell Grants to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs. Make an appointment with Hollins' Gilman advisor, Dr. Ramona Kirsch to learn more!
The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Gilman Program) enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. To be eligible for the Gilman Program, applicants must be 1) a US citizen or national and 2) 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.
Award recipients are chosen by a competitive selection process and must use the award (up to $5000) to defray eligible study or intern abroad costs. These costs include program tuition, room and board, books, local transportation, insurance, international airfare, passport and visa fees.
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 (your study abroad and financial aid advisor)
Gilman-McMain Scholarship
The U.S. Department of State’s Gilman-McCain Scholarship provides awards of $5,000 for undergraduate child and spousal dependents of active or activated United States military personnel during the time of application (including Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, Army, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy, Navy Reserve, Space Force, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and USPHS Commissioned Corps) to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs. Developed under the framework of the State Department’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, the John S. McCain International Scholarship for Military Families (Gilman-McCain Scholarship) is open to eligible students enrolled at accredited U.S. colleges and universities who receive any type of Title IV federal financial aid (you do not have to receive a Federal Pell Grant for this scholarship, and any student that is eligible for both will be automatically considered for the Gilman-McCain) .In addition to the two main Gilman Scholarships, there are two supplemental awards have additional requirements.
Critical Need Language Award
Applicants who are studying a critical need language while abroad in a country or location in which the language is predominantly spoken can apply for a supplemental award of up to $3,000. For Hollins, this scholarship only applies to students going to Japan. Applicants will need to submit a short essay that describes how you intend to improve your critical need language skills, your motivations for doing so, and how your study of the language relates to your academic and professional goals.
STEM Supplemental Award
Applicants who are conducting STEM-related research as part of their study abroad or international internship program can apply for a supplemental award of up to $1,000. The research must already be formally integrated into their credit-bearing program. A successful applicant should demonstrate (in an essay of no more than 1,000 characters) a strong motivation to their STEM field(s) and how this research experience extends beyond their time abroad, and into their future academic and career goals. Of note, the applicant is not required to major in a STEM field.If you missed out on the info session, here is a PowerPoint provided by the Gilman Program. There's also a fact checker regarding common myths!
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a program of the U.S. Department of State, supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education (IIE).