Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for US Citizens to Study Abroad

The Gilman Scholarship helps US undergraduate students with limited financial means study or intern abroad. It is run by the U.S. Department of State and pays part of the cost of a credit-bearing programme outside the United States. The goal is to widen access to international experience and to encourage study in a range of countries and world regions, including critical need languages.

• Host: U.S. Department of State
• Level: Study abroad and internships for undergraduates
• Destination: Countries outside the U.S.
• Deadline: 1 October 2026 at 11:59PM PT (Fall 2026 application cycle)
• Awards: About 3,000
• Value: Up to US$5,000, plus a Critical Need Language Award of up to US$3,000 and/or a STEM Supplemental Award of up to US$1,000
• Starts: Course starts 2026/2027

Universities and organisations outside the US.

Study abroad and internship programs.

About 3,000.

US citizens of limited financial means who plan to study or intern abroad.

Award amounts can be up to US$5,000, with the opportunity to receive the supplemental Critical Need Language Award of up to US$3,000 and/or the STEM Supplemental Award of up to US$1,000. The money must go toward eligible study or intern abroad costs: tuition, room and board, books, local transportation, insurance, international airfare, and passport and visa fees. Financial need is based on the study abroad expenses provided by the applicant's advisor and additional financial aid information submitted through the application. The final amount depends on financial need, programme length, overall programme costs and the strength of the application.

You can receive the Gilman Scholarship only once. If you declined it before, you may re-apply as long as you still meet all the requirements below.

• You are a citizen or national of the United States.
• You are an undergraduate in good standing at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States, including both 2-year and 4-year institutions.
• You are receiving a Federal Pell Grant at the time of application, or you can provide proof that you will receive a Pell Grant during the term of your study abroad programme or internship.
• You are in the process of applying to, or have been accepted to, a credit-bearing study abroad or internship programme. Proof of programme acceptance is required before any award is paid out.
• You are applying for a credit-bearing study abroad programme in a country or area with an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2 under the U.S. Department of State's Travel Advisory System. Some locations within these countries or areas may be marked “Do not travel to” (Level 4) or “Reconsider travel to” (Level 3); you will not be allowed to travel to those specific locations. You cannot apply for programmes in a country or area with an overall Level 3 or 4 Travel Advisory.
• You cannot participate in education abroad programmes that involve an overseas institution on the Section 1286 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) List of “Foreign Institutions Engaging in Problematic Activities”.

The U.S. Department of State may request programme changes for specific countries or locations at any stage of the application, selection process, or while you are on programme. Final awards depend on the availability of funds and the health and security situation in a country or location. A Gilman Scholar's status may also be affected if the health or security situation in a country or location changes.

The Fall 2026 application cycle is now closed.

Students can study and intern abroad during the spring, summer, fall, winter, or academic year term.

The Gilman application is submitted through the online portal; only applications submitted through the online portal will be considered. The application deadline is 1 October 2026 at 11:59PM PT. No changes can be made after the application deadline.

Critical components of the application:

• 4 required short essays (and optional supplemental 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)

Both your Study Abroad and Financial Aid Certifying Advisors must certify your application by the advisor deadline. It is your responsibility to ensure that both advisors have certified your application by the advisor deadline. Applications without certifications will not be considered. If an advisor is not listed within the online application, ask them to register as a Gilman advisor prior to the application deadline.

Visit the official website (link below) for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.

• Who can apply for the Gilman Scholarship? US citizens or nationals who are undergraduates in good standing at an accredited US institution, receive a Federal Pell Grant, and are applying to or accepted to a credit-bearing study abroad or internship programme.
• What does the scholarship cover? Award amounts can be up to US$5,000 and can be used for tuition, room and board, books, local transportation, insurance, international airfare, and passport and visa fees. A Critical Need Language Award of up to US$3,000 and/or a STEM Supplemental Award of up to US$1,000 are also available.
• What is the application deadline? The deadline for the Fall 2026 application cycle is 1 October 2026 at 11:59PM PT. Both your Study Abroad and Financial Aid Certifying Advisors must also certify your application by the advisor deadline.
• Can I apply if my programme is in a country with a Travel Advisory Level 3 or 4? No. You can only apply for programmes in countries or areas with an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2.
• How many scholarships are awarded? About 3,000.

• Read the official guidelines on the Gilman website before you start your application.
• Gather your documents early, including proof of your Pell Grant and programme acceptance or application.
• Check the Travel Advisory level for your destination country before you apply.
• Submit well before the deadline to avoid time zone issues and last-minute problems.