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

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program enables U.S. undergraduate students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to U.S. national security and economic prosperity. They will gain proficiency in diverse languages and cultures, skills that are critically important to their academic and career development. The program aims to encourage students to study and intern in a diverse array of countries or areas and world regions. The program also encourages students to study languages, especially critical need languages (those deemed important to national security).

Universities and organisations outside the US.

Study abroad and internships programs

About 3,000

U.S. citizens of limited financial means to study or intern abroad.

The scholarship amounts range from US$100 to US$5000 (with the opportunity to receive a Critical Need Language Award of up to US$8000). Scholars are chosen by a competitive selection process and must use the award to defray eligible study or intern abroad costs. These costs include tuition, room and board, books, local transportation, insurance, international airfare, passport and visa fees. A Gilman Scholar’s final award amount will be determined by financial need, program length, overall program costs and the strength of the application.

Gilman Scholarship recipients can only receive the scholarship once. If a student previously declined the Gilman Scholarship, they are welcome to re-apply, as long as they still meet all eligibility requirements, as follows:

• A citizen of the United States;

• An undergraduate student in good standing at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States (including both 2-year and 4-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 area with an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2, according to the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Advisory System. But certain locations within these countries or areas may be designated within the Travel Advisory as either “Do not travel to” (Level 4) or “Reconsider travel to” (Level 3) locations, as such; students will not be allowed to travel to these specific locations. Moreover, students are not eligible to apply for programs in a country or area with an overall Level 3 or 4 Travel Advisory.

The U.S. Department of State reserves the right to request program changes for specific countries or locations if deemed necessary during any stage of the application, selection process, or while on program. Final awards are contingent upon the availability of funds and the health and security situation in a country or location. Furthermore, a Gilman Scholar’s status may be affected should the health or security situation in a country or location change.

Applications are currently closed.

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

The October 2025 Deadline application is now open for applicants whose abroad programs or internships start between 1 December 2025, to 31 October 2026. This cycle encompasses Winter or January term 2026, Spring 2026, Maymester 2026, Summer 2026, Fall 2026, and academic year 2026-2027 programs. The application deadline is Friday, 3 October 2025, at 11:59pm Pacific Time, and the advisor certification deadline is Friday, October 10, 2025 at 11:59pm Pacific Time. Please be aware that the application deadline is in Pacific Time and take into consideration any time difference as you prepare to submit your application.

It is important to visit the official website (link found below) for detailed information on how to apply for this scholarship.