Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (administered by IIE)
Up to $5,000 to study or intern abroad for Pell Grant recipients, plus up to $3,000 for a critical-need language and up to $1,000 for STEM
- How much
- up to $5,000; plus up to $3,000 Critical Need Language Award and up to $1,000 STEM Supplemental Award
- Who qualifies
- Undergraduate in good standing at an accredited U.S. two- or four-year institution; receiving a Federal Pell Grant at application or during the abroad program; applying to or accepted into a credit-bearing study abroad or internship program.
- For undergrads
- U.S. citizen or national
- Need-based: your FAFSA decides how much you get.
- When to apply
- Opens later Two cycles a year. Fall cycle: opens mid-August, student deadline Oct 1 (closed for 2026). Spring cycle: opens mid-January, student deadline late February (Feb 25, 2027, 11:59pm PT; advisor certification by Mar 4, 2027)
- How to apply
- Apply online through the Gilman application
- Your study abroad and financial aid advisors certify it
- Essays required
- What you'll need
- essay
The details
Merit-based awards of up to $5,000 for U.S. undergraduates with high financial need (Pell recipients) doing credit-bearing study or career-oriented internships abroad. The money covers costs like program tuition, room and board, books, local transportation, insurance, international airfare, and passport/visa fees. Optional add-ons: Critical Need Language Award up to $3,000 (studying a critical-need language where it's mainly spoken; limited number) and STEM Supplemental Award up to $1,000 (STEM coursework or internship abroad, 300-word essay; you don't have to be a STEM major). The Gilman Skills for America Scholarship (up to $5,000, no extra essay, no minimum program length) is for two-year college students and uses the general application. Gilman-McCain is a separate track for dependents of military members. Nearly 3,000 awards a year. Two cycles a year.
More federal and national aid
- QuestBridge National College Matchfull four-year scholarship to a partner college (worth $360,000+; tuition, room/board, no loans)
- Jack Kent Cooke College Scholarship Programup to $55,000/yr for up to 4 years (last-dollar after institutional aid)
- Davidson Fellows Scholarship$100,000, $50,000, or $25,000 (one-time)
- Burger King Scholars Program$1,000 to $60,000 (most general-track awards $1,000 or $5,000; up to three $60,000 James W. McLamore WHOPPER Scholarships)
- NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)$37,000/yr stipend + $16,000/yr cost-of-education allowance to the school, for 3 years
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