Gilman International Scholarship: Eligibility and How to Apply
By Muntasir • Published Sep 18, 2026 • Updated Sep 20, 2026 • Study Abroad, US Financial Aid & Scholarships
The Gilman Scholarship pays up to $5,000 toward a study or intern abroad program, and you must already be receiving a Federal Pell Grant to qualify.
🎓 Must be a US citizen, an undergraduate in good standing at an accredited US school, and a current or upcoming Pell Grant recipient
💵 Award: up to $5,000 toward an approved credit-bearing study or intern abroad program
📩 Apply through your campus study abroad office, an advisor must certify your application
⏱️ Fall 2026 cycle deadline: October 1, 2026, 11:59pm Pacific Time
⏱️ Spring 2027 cycle deadline: February 25, 2027, 11:59pm Pacific Time
🏠 Program must be in a country rated Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2
What the Gilman Scholarship covers
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, run by the US Department of State, pays up to $5,000 toward an approved study abroad or international internship program. It targets students who receive federal need-based aid and might not otherwise afford an international program.
The program also includes a supplemental Critical Need Language Award for students studying a language the State Department has identified as a priority, and a related Gilman-McCain Scholarship track. Both have their own eligibility details and award terms, check the official Gilman site for current specifics before assuming you qualify for either.
Who qualifies
US citizen or national
Undergraduate in good standing at an accredited US institution
Receiving a Federal Pell Grant at the time of application, or able to show you will receive one during the term of your program abroad
Applying to, or already accepted into, a credit-bearing study or intern abroad program
Program located in a country rated Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2 by the State Department
You can win a Gilman only once. If your application was not selected before, you can apply again for a different term.
What you will need to submit
Along with your personal and academic information, plan to submit a personal statement essay explaining why you want to study or intern abroad and how it connects to your academic or career goals, details about your specific program including dates and location, and your advisor's certification confirming your enrollment and Pell Grant eligibility. If you are selected, a follow-up essay is typically required after your term abroad describing your experience.
Why the Pell Grant requirement exists
The Gilman Scholarship exists specifically to open study abroad to students who receive need-based federal aid, a group historically underrepresented in study abroad participation. If you have never received a Pell Grant but think you might qualify based on your financial situation, file the FAFSA and talk to your financial aid office before assuming you are ineligible.
Combining Gilman with other aid
Gilman funds add to your existing financial aid package rather than replacing it. Talk with your financial aid office early so you understand how the award interacts with your Pell Grant, institutional aid, or federal loans already in your package, rather than finding out after the term has started.
How to apply
Get accepted into, or apply to, a credit-bearing study or intern abroad program through your home institution
Confirm your Pell Grant status with your financial aid office before you start the application
Complete the online Gilman application , including the required essays
Have your campus study abroad advisor certify your application before the deadline, advisor certification is due shortly after the student deadline
Submit proof of program acceptance once you have it, this is required before any award disburses
Deadlines
| Cycle | Student deadline | Advisor certification | Notification |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | October 1, 2026, 11:59pm PT | October 8, 2026 | December 2026 |
| Spring 2027 | February 25, 2027, 11:59pm PT | March 4, 2027 | May 2027 |
All deadlines run on Pacific Time, so account for the time difference if you are applying from the East Coast or from a program that has already started abroad.
What the money can go toward
Gilman funds apply toward program costs tied to your study or intern abroad experience, tuition or program fees, housing, and travel among them. Because the award pays out through your financial aid office rather than directly to you, it applies to your program bill the same way other aid does, reducing your out-of-pocket cost.
Common reasons applications are not selected
Missing or late advisor certification
Program not yet accepted or confirmed at the time of application
Essays that do not clearly connect the program to specific goals
Program located in a country above a Travel Advisory Level 2 rating
Tips that improve your application
Start well before the deadline, advisor certification takes time and your advisor needs to review your submission first
Be specific in your essays about why your chosen destination and program connect to your goals, generic essays are easy for reviewers to spot
Apply even if you are not sure yet whether you will be accepted into your program, many students apply to Gilman and their program at the same time
If you are studying a critical need language, mention it clearly, since it opens up the additional Critical Need Language Award track
After you win
Gilman funds pay out through your home institution alongside the rest of your financial aid package, not directly to you. Stay in close contact with both your study abroad office and financial aid office so the award applies correctly to your program costs, and confirm in writing exactly when the funds will post before you rely on them to cover a specific tuition or housing payment deadline abroad.