Frequently Asked Questions for Students

I would like to learn more about:

Eligibility
Application - General
Application - Essays
Application - Advisor Certification
Award Process/Recipient Info

Eligibility

Q. What if I don't receive a Federal Pell Grant, but do receive other federal financial aid? Am I still eligible to apply?

A. No, only students receiving a Federal Pell Grant at the time of application or at the time of the study abroad program are eligible for the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. If you do not meet this eligibility criterion, you will not be able to apply for this scholarship. Other forms of federal financial aid do not satisfy this eligibility requirement. If you are not sure if you receive a Federal Pell Grant, please contact your university's financial aid office.

For information on other study abroad scholarships and grants for which you might be eligible, consult the Other Scholarships page.

Q. How do I know if the country I want to study in is under a U.S. Department of State Travel Warning?

A. You may not apply for a Gilman Scholarship if you wish to study in Cuba or in a country that is currently under a U.S. Department of State Travel Warning. A listing of countries currently under a U.S. Department of State Travel Warning can be found at http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html.

You are still eligible to apply for a Gilman Scholarship if the country you wish to study in is under a Public Announcement.

Q. I am planning on studying in a country on the Department of State Travel Warning list, but my program/university feels that it is safe to study there. Can I apply for the Gilman Scholarship under this circumstance?

A. You are not eligible to apply for the scholarship if you will be studying in a country on the Travel Warning list. No exceptions can be made as this restriction is for your safety.

Q. I have never traveled or studied abroad before. Should I apply?

A. Yes! A principal objective of the Gilman Scholarship Program is to expand international education opportunities by encouraging applications from students who have not previously studied abroad for undergraduate academic credit.

Q. I am a community college or two-year institution student. Is this program for me?

A. Yes! Community College students, both two-year and transfer, are particularly encouraged to apply.

Q. I am a Permanent Resident or non-U.S. citizen, am I still eligible to apply?

A. No, only U.S. citizens or U.S. Nationals are eligible to apply for a Gilman Scholarship. If you are currently in the process of receiving your U.S. citizenship, please contact gilman@iie.org for further information regarding the possibility of applying.

Q. I am a high school, graduate or post-graduate student, can I apply?

A. No, only U.S. citizens currently enrolled as undergraduate students at a U.S. institution of higher education are eligible for the Gilman Scholarship Program. Students must also be participating in a study abroad program eligible for undergraduate academic credit at their home university.

For information on other study abroad scholarships and grants for which you might be eligible, consult the Other Scholarships page.

Q. I am not participating in a study abroad program; instead I am applying for a full-degree program overseas whereby I will receive my degree directly from an international institution. Am I eligible to apply?

A. No, only U.S. citizens currently enrolled as undergraduate students at a U.S. institution of higher education and participating in a study abroad program of up to one academic year are eligible for the Gilman Scholarship Program. The Gilman Scholarship Program does not fund full-degree study overseas.

One avenue you should explore is to see if the institution you wish to attend abroad is eligible to receive federal financial aid. There are a number of institutions abroad that would be eligible to receive U.S. financial aid and you can search for these online at the FAFSA website. Once there you will need to choose the Find My School Codes option and do a school code search. Within the search screen select Foreign Country as the school state. A list of institutions abroad that are eligible to receive federal financial aid will then pop up. If your school is listed you would use their designated school code to apply for financial aid just as you would if you were attending a U.S. institution.

You should also contact the university abroad directly and find out if they offer any financial aid or scholarships for incoming international students. Some countries will also allow student visa holders to work on a part-time basis, which might also help fund your degree overseas. The international student office at your university abroad should be able to assist you in finding out what the relevant regulations are for students studying there.

Q. What is the minimum length of study required to be eligible to apply for the Gilman Scholarship Program? Are short-term programs eligible?

A. Programs must be a minimum of 28 days and a maximum of one academic year. Short-term programs are eligible so long as they fall within the eligible start dates for each cycle and are at least 28 days long. The program you are participating in must be a university approved study abroad program that is eligible for undergraduate, academic credit at the student's home university.

Fall cycle programs must begin between July 15 and October 15. For the Spring cycle, programs must begin between December 15 and April 15. Thus the Spring cycle would include most Winter Inter-session and Spring Break programs. The Gilman Scholarship Program will be piloting a special Summer 2010 award cycle for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) field disciplines. Summer programs must be a minimum of four weeks and is only open to students in the STEM fields who meet the Gilman criteria. For more information, please see the Eligibility page. Click here to open the Summer 2010 fact sheet.

Q. Isn't preference given to longer-term programs during the selection process? If I am applying to a short-term program, what can I do to make my application as strong as possible?

A. Students applying for short-term programs will need to be sure that they clearly explain why they have chosen their specific study abroad program, including their length of study, within their Statement of Purpose essay. Often students applying for short-term programs have very specific reasons for doing so. They may be students of non-traditional age that have family obligations which make it hard for them to be out of the country for an extended period of time, or they are participating in an intensive academic program which also makes it difficult to find viable study abroad options. For students at two-year institutions short-term programs may be the only study abroad option available.

The Statement of Purpose essay is an opportunity for students to share with the selection panels the reason behind their choice of program and the impact that it will have on them academically, professionally, and personally. All applicants should ensure they clearly explain their choice of program, but this is especially important for those applying for programs of less than one quarter in length.

Q. I'm applying for a summer study abroad program. Does the Gilman Scholarship Program have a summer award cycle?

A. Yes, the Gilman Scholarship Program will be piloting a special Summer 2010 award cycle for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) field disciplines. To be eligible applicants must meet all of the criteria listed on the Eligibility page and must be majoring in a Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) field. This pilot cycle for summer 2010 is only open to students in STEM fields who meet the Gilman eligibility criteria. There are two application deadlines for Summer 2010 awards, students must apply by October 6, 2009 or April 6, 2010. Click here to open the Summer 2010 fact sheet. For further information and eligibility requirements, please contact us at gilman@iie.org.

Q. I'm applying to a multi-country program. Is this eligible for a Gilman Scholarship?

A. Multi-country study abroad programs are eligible only if the program spends a minimum of 28 days in one country. For information on other undergraduate scholarships for which you might be eligible please access Other Scholarships.

Q. Does the Gilman Scholarship Program approve or sanction particular study abroad programs or program provider?

A. No, there are no lists of Gilman-preferred programs nor does the Gilman Scholarship Program endorse a particular institution, organization or group's sponsorship. A Gilman Scholarship is a source of portable financial assistance that can be used to support any country-based study abroad program deemed to be eligible for undergraduate academic credit by your home university. The choice of a particular program for study abroad should be made in consultation with your campus advisor. Programs can include traditional study abroad programs, intensive language programs, internship programs for academic credit, student-teaching abroad programs for academic credit, and/or service-learning abroad programs for academic credit. It is best to choose your program based on its overall quality and select the program that best meets your academic, career and personal goals.

If you would like to search for study abroad programs online, the Institute of International Education maintains a free searchable study abroad program database called IIE Passport. This site will allow you to search for programs by country, field of study and language of study.

Applying for the Gilman Scholarship Program - General Questions

Q. When should I apply?

A. You should apply in the academic term prior to the start date of your study abroad program. If your program starts between July 15 and October 15, apply for the Fall application cycle with a deadline in April. If your program starts between December 15 and April 15, apply for the Spring and Summer application cycle with a deadline in October. The Gilman Scholarship Program will be piloting a special Summer 2010 award cycle for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) field disciplines. The pilot cycle for Summer 2010 is only open to students in the STEM fields who meet the Gilman eligibility criteria. If you are Eligible for the Summer cycle, then apply for Summer 2010 by October 6, 2009 or April 6, 2010. Please consult the Fall or Spring and Summer Timeline for more information.

Q. How do I apply?

A. The Gilman Scholarship Program has an online application. The online application will be available approximately one-and-a-half to two months prior to the application deadline for each cycle. Please consult the Fall or Spring and Summer Timeline and Online Application pages for more information.

Q. How should I enter information into the application?

A. Enter all information into your application exactly as you wish it to appear when printed for the selection panelists. Do not enter your information in all lower-case or all upper-case letters. Be sure to use correct capitalization and punctuation.

Q. What should I do if my email address, phone number or mailing-address changes?

A. If your contact information changes, please be sure to log into the online application and update your Account Information. Communication will be primarily conducted via email so it is important to ensure that a current, working email address is on file at all times. The Gilman Scholarship Program is not responsible for incorrect email addresses or contact information.

Q. What is the difference between Study Abroad Program Title and Program Sponsor?

A. The Program Title is the official name of your study abroad program. This is usually found on the program brochure or flyer. If you are unsure of what the official name of your program is, please contact your university study abroad advisor. Do not use only abbreviations when entering this information in. (Example: Ecology of the Rain Forest or Semester in Kyoto.)

The Program Sponsor is the institution that is administering your study abroad program. The online application contains a drop down list of the most common program sponsors given by Gilman Scholarship applicants. If your program sponsor is not listed you may simply type the name into the provided field. This will most often be your home university, a different university in the U.S., or a study abroad consortium or other program. If you are unsure who the Program Sponsor is, please contact your university study abroad advisor.

Q. I have submitted an application to my chosen study abroad program, but will not receive notification of acceptance until after the application deadline for the Gilman Scholarship Program, can I still apply?

A. Yes, we recognize that many students will submit applications to specific study abroad programs and for the Gilman Scholarship Program simultaneously, with expected notification for each at a different date. Should you be awarded a Gilman Scholarship you would be required to provide proof of acceptance into the program listed in your application at that time.

Q. I am applying to two different study abroad programs, but there's only room to enter one on the Gilman Scholarship application. What should I do?

A. If you are applying to more than one program you should enter in your top choice on the Gilman Scholarship application. You should then make note of the fact that you are applying to two different programs in your Statement of Purpose essay.

Q. I have not studied overseas for undergraduate academic credit before, but I did travel and/or live overseas before. Should I indicate this on my application?

A. No, students are only required to indicate if they have previously studied abroad for undergraduate academic credit.

Applying for the Gilman Scholarship - Statement of Purpose and Follow-on Project Proposal Essays

Q. What advice can you give about the Statement of Purpose essay?

A. When composing your Statement of Purpose essay it is helpful to address the impact that your study abroad program will have on your academic, professional, and personal goals. You should also address the impact that receiving the Gilman Scholarship would have on your achievement of these goals. Some key ideas to keep in mind are:

What impact will this study abroad program and receiving the Gilman Scholarship have on my academic goals? Will I be able to take coursework abroad towards my major or minor requirements? Will I be able to take electives or pursue further language training not available to me on my home campus? How will this study abroad program impact any future academic goals, such as obtaining a graduate degree, that I may have?
What impact will my choice of country have on my experience abroad? What initially inspired me to want to study abroad in this particular country or learn this language? What factors led to my choice of country of study?
What impact will my choice of program have on my experience abroad? Are there unique components, such as home-stays, that will impact my experience abroad?
What impact will this study abroad program and receiving the Gilman Scholarship have on my professional goals? How does my study abroad program relate to my future professional goals? Will I be able to pursue internship or volunteer opportunities that support my overall career goals? Will I be able to learn skills or conduct research that will be necessary to me in my future career?
What impact will this study abroad program and receiving the Gilman Scholarship have on me personally? On a personal level, what initially inspired me to want to study abroad in this particular country or learn this language?
What challenges, if any, have you faced in your decision to study abroad? What impact would receiving the Gilman Scholarship have on these challenges? For example do you face familial obligations or concerns that hinder your ability to study abroad? Other examples include, but are not limited to, being a non-traditional student, having a learning or physical disability, being in a field of study for which it is difficult to incorporate study abroad, etc.

The most critical aspect of this and any other essay for a nationally competitive scholarship is to ensure that it is proofread prior to submission. Applicants that do not have their essays proofread compete poorly during the selection process and generally will not receive a scholarship award. Compose your essay first in a word processing program so that you may keep a copy and forward it to your advisors for review and approval. Then simply copy and paste your essay into the application screen. Keep in mind the online application does not have a spell or grammar check function nor are these tools always reliable.

Q. What is a Follow-on Project?

A. To help expand the impact of the Gilman Scholarship Program, all Gilman Scholars are required to carry out a follow-on project upon their return from abroad that helps to promote international education and/or the Gilman International Scholarship. This project can be done on your home campus or in your local community and must be completed within six months of your return to the United States. All applicants must submit a project proposal within their application and this proposal is closely reviewed during the selection process. When composing your project proposal it is helpful to keep the following in mind:

Who is my target audience and how am I going to reach them? Will I carry out this project on my campus or in my local community? What impact will my project have on this group and how will my project interest my target population in international education and/or encourage them to apply for the Gilman Scholarship Program?
How will I inform members of my target audience about my project? What arrangements will I need to make to publicize my project? For example, will I post notices to all Pell grant recipients on campus via email or send invitations to presentations to members of a specific campus population?
Are there already established campus or community organizations, offices, student groups or networks that I can utilize in reaching out to my target audience? How will working with these groups/offices help benefit and expand the impact that my project will have?
What is the timeline for my project and how will this impact my target audience? For example, will I return in time to present at a campus study abroad fair or if your project involves working with a local K-12 classroom will that class be in school when you return and are completing your project?
How will I carry out my project? Are there methods I can utilize, such as power point presentations, websites, slide shows, photos, etc., that can assist me in achieving my project goals and reaching my target audience? What impact will the methods I use have on my audience?

However, the most critical aspect of this and any other essay for a nationally competitive scholarship is to ensure that it is proofread prior to submission. Applicants that do not have their essays proofread compete poorly during the selection process and generally will not receive a scholarship award. Compose your essay first in a word processing program so that you may keep a copy and forward it to your advisors for review and approval. Then simply copy and paste your essay into the application screen. Keep in mind the online application does not have a spell or grammar check function nor are these tools always reliable.

Q. Can you give me any examples of Follow-on Projects?

A. Gilman Scholars have proposed and carried out a wide range of follow-on projects. Each cycle a variety of follow-on projects are submitted and there is no right or wrong proposal. We encourage all applicants to propose a unique follow-on project that highlights their individual background, experiences abroad, talents and skills. We have listed below some examples of the types of projects Gilman Scholars have carried out. This is by no means an exhaustive list and we look forward to continue to receive unique, individual proposals from all applicants. Some examples of Follow-on Projects include:

K-12 Outreach: Some projects Gilman Scholars have carried out include a) conducting presentations on their country of study to local elementary classrooms; b) working with a local teacher to incorporate study of a specific country into the curriculum through photos, letters and emails from the Gilman Scholar while they are abroad and everyday items the student bring back with them from their host country (i.e. newspapers, menus, magazines, clothing, textbooks, toys, etc.); c) organizing a pen-pal program between a local classroom and a classroom in the student's host country; d) organizing and/or working with their university K-12 outreach program, bringing international students into local classrooms to present and share information on their home countries; e) participating in their local high school College Night to share information on study abroad opportunities and scholarships; f) working with/giving presentations on study abroad to high school language or area studies classes; g) working with/giving presentations on study abroad and scholarships to programs that mentor at-risk high school students such as the Upward Bound program.
Academic Department Outreach: Students in fields of study traditionally under-represented in U.S. study abroad often choose to focus on their academic department when carrying out their project. Examples of these projects include a) development of a study abroad information page for the department website that lists a suggested academic timeline encouraging students to incorporate study abroad into their degree; b) organizing information on university-approved study abroad programs that offer coursework and academic credit in their field of study and links to scholarships and financial aid information that support these opportunities; c) presentations on study abroad at academic club or honor society meetings; d) development of a brochure or informational flyer specific to that field of study that is then posted in the study abroad office; e) serving as a mentor/peer advisor to potential study abroad students in their field of study; f) submitting an article to their academic department newsletter on their experiences abroad either while the student is still overseas or upon their return.
Campus Office Outreach: Students often propose to work with a specific on-campus office including the Diversity/Minority Services offices, Disability Services offices, the Financial Aid office, Student-Leadership office, and other campus offices. Examples of these projects include a) working with the university office to help promote and encourage study abroad opportunities through presentations to student clubs and organizations and through office organized events; b) posting information on the Gilman Scholarship Program in specific campus offices; c) adding a web page to the office website that highlights study abroad opportunities and information that would be of help/interest to students; d) serving as an office representative at campus fairs and events by sharing information on study abroad and the Gilman Scholarship Program.
Study Abroad Outreach: This is the most common type of Follow-on Project students propose. Examples of these projects include a) volunteering or working in the study abroad office as a Peer Mentor/Advisor to potential study abroad students; b) representing the study abroad office at presentations/information sessions on study abroad; c) ensuring the study abroad office website has a Scholarship Information page and that a link to the Gilman Scholarship Program's website is provided; d) submitting an article on their experiences abroad to the Study Abroad office newsletter either while they are still abroad or upon their return; e) developing an informational flyer/brochure on university-specific financial aid procedures for study abroad and available scholarships which is then housed in the study abroad office; f) participating in/organizing a Study Abroad Alumni society which assists returned and potential study abroad students; g) serving a resource person for a specific country/program/field of study that would advise/assist potential study abroad students.
Other Outreach: There are a variety of other types of programs that students have proposed. Some examples include a) submitting a weekly or monthly article on their experiences overseas to their campus or hometown newspaper while the student is abroad, thereby sharing information with a wide range of readers; b) submitting an article on their experiences abroad to their campus or hometown paper upon their return to the U.S.; c) working/volunteering with a local refugee or immigrant organization thereby utilizing the inter-cultural skills they acquired overseas; d) working/volunteering as an interpreter with a local organization in need of those skills; e) participating in/organizing an on-campus International Student buddy program that links incoming international students with past study abroad students to assist in their adjustment to the U.S. and the university - this may be an especially effective option for those campuses that have exchange programs with a university overseas; f) participating in campus or local international events such as an International Fair, Chinese New Year or other celebration; g) working with another local organization to share information on study abroad and the country they studied in with their members; h) presenting on study abroad opportunities and the Gilman Scholarship Program at Freshman Orientation or in First-Year Experiences courses thereby encouraging students to consider study abroad earlier rather than later.

Applying for the Gilman Scholarship - Advisor certifications

Q. Why do a Study Abroad Advisor and Financial Aid Advisor have to certify my application?

A. A complete application consists of 1) Online Student Application, 2) Online Study Abroad Advisor Certification, 3) Online Financial Aid Advisor Certification and 4) Official University Transcript (sent via U.S. mail). Study abroad advisors will be asked to verify that you are applying to a credit-eligible study abroad program; whether you have previously studied abroad before and confirm your study abroad program information. Financial aid advisors will be asked to verify whether you are currently receiving a Federal Pell Grant and the estimated amount of financial aid, excluding loans, you can apply to your program.

Advisors will receive an email immediately after you submit the student section asking them to certify your application. It is very important that you contact your university study abroad and financial aid office prior to submitting your application to ensure that your adivosors' information is available to select in your application before the deadline. The Gilman Scholarship Program is not responsible for contacting your advisors to create an account with the online application system.

Your application is not considered complete until all sections are completed by the stated deadlines. It is your responsibility as an applicant to ensure that advisors are aware of and complete their portion of your application by the stated advisor deadlines. Please consult the Fall or Spring and Summer Timeline for more information. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Q. How do I know who the correct Study Abroad or Financial Aid Advisor is?

A. You will need to contact your university study abroad and financial aid office prior to submitting your application to obtain this information. Indicate that you are applying for a study abroad scholarship and ask who the correct person would be to complete the advisor portion for each office at your university. You should only list advisors at your home university.

Q. My university does not have a Study Abroad office or designated Study Abroad Advisor. What should I do?

A. In this case you should contact your undergraduate academic advisor at your home university and ask them to register as a certifying advisor with the Gilman Scholarship Program.

Q. My university financial aid office does not assign students an individual Financial Aid Advisor. What should I do?

A. Contact your university financial aid office to find out who the correct advisor would be to complete the financial aid advisor portion for a study abroad scholarship. This need not be an advisor assigned specifically to you. However, it must be an advisor working in the financial aid office.

Q. How will I know when my advisors complete their portions of the application?

A. You can view the status of your advisor certifications by logging in to your Gilman application under "My Status". Remember, it is your responsibility as an applicant to ensure that advisors are aware of and complete their portions of your application by the stated deadlines. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

Award Process/Recipient Info

Q. What is the financial value of a Gilman Scholarship? If I receive a Gilman Scholarship, what may it be used for?

A. Awards of up to $5,000 are made for up to one academic year of undergraduate study abroad. Award amounts will vary based on student need and length of program with the average award being $4,000. Gilman Scholarship funds may only be used to cover eligible study abroad program costs and related expenses. These include: Program tuition and fees, room and board, books, local transportation, health insurance and international airfare.

Q. What are my chances of winning a Gilman Scholarship?

A. The Gilman Scholarship Program is a national, highly competitive scholarship. Approximately 1 in 3 Gilman Scholarship applicants are selected to receive the scholarship. Please see Selection Criteria and Program Statistics pages for further information.

Q. Is there a health insurance requirement for Gilman Scholarships?

A. Yes, if you are selected as a scholarship recipient, you must furnish evidence of international insurance coverage, to include health, accident, emergency evacuation and repatriation insurance. More information on the insurance requirement will be provided at a later date to all recipients.

Q. May I participate in an internship or work part-time while on a Gilman Scholarship?

A. The Gilman Scholarship Program is designed to support participation in a full-time study abroad program for undergraduate academic credit, not paid work abroad. However, applications will be considered from students who propose an internship as an integrated and meaningful component of their study abroad program. Also, students studying in countries which allow those on student visas to work part-time may do so as long as they maintain full-time enrollment in their study abroad program and are not in violation of any laws or regulations of their program or host country.

Q. What if I receive a Gilman Scholarship, will that impact my university financial aid package?

A. It may. University Financial Aid offices have federal, state and institutional guidelines they must follow when awarding financial aid packages. The Gilman Scholarship Program has no control over this process though we do encourage institutions to reduce loan amounts first if the receipt of this award does affect a student's financial aid package. For information please access Basic Facts Regarding Financial Aid.

Q. When and how will I be notified of the status of my application?

A. All applicants will be notified of their status via your primary email address. Those applicants selected as Gilman Scholars will also receive an award letter at their permanent address. Please consult the Fall or Spring and Summer Timeline for more information.