The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is now accepting applications from American undergraduate students with financial need who plan to study or intern overseas in 2026/2027
This program provides money to help alleviate the costs of credit-bearing study/intern abroad programs or internships, particularly for students who would otherwise struggle due to financial constraints. The following is a scholarship summary, overview, perks, eligibility, method, and required documents.
About the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship (Gilman) Program awards merit-based scholarships to outstanding American undergraduate students with significant financial need, providing them with the international experience, global networks, and foreign language skills required to keep the United States safe, strong, and prosperous.
Since its establishment in 2001, the Gilman Program has helped 44,000 American students study or intern abroad in more than 170 countries. Gilman alumni come from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and all of the United States’ territories.
All Gilman scholarship recipients are U.S. undergraduate students who have demonstrated a high level of financial need as federal Pell Grant recipients. The Gilman Program awards merit-based scholarships of up to $5,000, with additional funding available for students learning a vital language or performing STEM-related research while abroad.
The Gilman-McCain Scholarship for Military Families is designed specifically for child and spousal dependents of active-duty military members receiving Title IV federal financial aid. Students studying vital languages can apply for up to $3,000 in additional support through the Gilman Vital Language Award program.
Students performing STEM research overseas can apply for up to $1,000 in supplementary funding to cover associated costs.
Eligibility Requirements
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens or nationals.
- Applicants must be undergraduate students in good standing at a recognized US higher education institution (both two-year and four-year).
- Applicants must be Pell Grant recipients at the time of application or demonstrate that they will receive a Pell Grant during the length of their study abroad program or internship.
- Applicants must be participating in a credit-bearing program abroad for up to an academic year.
- Applicants must be enrolled in a credit-bearing study abroad or internship program in a nation or place with an overall Travel Advisory of 1 or 2, according to the US Department of State Travel Advisory System.
Scholarship Benefits
- Fees covered / Costs supported: The award can be used to cover a variety of eligible expenses, such as program tuition and fees, housing abroad (including utilities if applicable), visa and passport fees, international airfare and arriving/departing flights, required excursions or activities, books/course materials, local transportation in the host country, insurance (international or supplemental), and required immunizations.
- Supplemental funding will be provided for critical need languages and STEM disciplines, as stated.
- Gilman-McCain-specific benefits include a standard $5,000 payout for qualified dependents of military members with the same allowable expenses.
Application Process
Step 1: Submit the application by the student deadline.
The critical components of the application are as follows:
- Four required short essays (with optional supplementary essays)
- Transcripts (unofficial and official are both accepted)
- Abroad Program Details (Only credit-bearing programs are eligible).
- Certifying Advisors (choose a study abroad and financial aid advisor).
Step 2: Both the Study Abroad and Financial Aid Certifying Advisors must certify your application before the advisor deadline.
- It is the applicant’s obligation to guarantee that both advisers have certified their application before the advisor deadline.
- All applicants must contact the proper departments at their home universities to discover which study abroad and financial aid advisors to choose to certify their application.
- If an adviser is not included in the online application, contact the appropriate advisor(s) at your institution and request that they register as Gilman advisors before the application deadline. Once they’ve enrolled, you’ll be able to choose your university and advisors in your application.
- Applications without certification will not be accepted.
Dates and Deadlines
GILMAN-MCCAIN APPLICATION
- Deadline: Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 11:59PM PT
GILMAN PROGRAM APPLICATION
- Deadline: Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 11:59PM PT
Extra Tips
- The grants are competitive, thus well-written essays (that clearly indicate your goals, readiness for the abroad experience, and how it relates to your academic and career path) are quite beneficial.
- Propose a Follow-On Service Project (how you plan to share your international experience or serve your community/home institution after returning) — this tends to improve submissions.
- Be wary of your host country’s travel advisory levels. If the travel advisory for that nation (or a portion of it) is Level 3 or 4, your program may be disqualified or must be modified.
- Obtaining adviser certificates, gathering transcripts, acceptance letters, and preparing essays all take time. So, plan ahead.
Conclusion
The Gilman Scholarship is an excellent opportunity for Pell Grant-eligible U.S. undergraduates to participate in enriching studies or internships abroad. With large finance, additional academic incentives, and a global network, it prepares future leaders to transcend cultures and increase international understanding.
