I would like to learn more about:
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. 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 Study Abroad Resources page.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 Study Abroad Resources page.
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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 are 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 to 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 learning about the relevant regulations for students studying in your host country.
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Q. What is the minimum length of study required to be eligible to apply for the Gilman Scholarship? Are short-term programs eligible?
A. Eligible programs must be a minimum of four weeks and can be as long as 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 four weeks in length.
Fall study abroad 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 in length and this application is only open to students in the STEM fields who meet the Gilman eligibility criteria. For more information, please see the Eligibility page.
See the Summer 2010 fact sheet (90 KB, PDF)
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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.
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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 is 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. For Summer 2010 awards, students must apply by April 6, 2010. See the Summer 2010 fact sheet (90 KB, PDF). For further information and eligibility requirements, please contact us at gilman@iie.org.
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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 four weeks in one country. For information on other undergraduate scholarships for which you might be eligible please access the Other Study Abroad Resources page.
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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.
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Applying for the Gilman Scholarship Program
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 program application. If your program starts between December 15 and April 15, apply for the Spring program application. 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 April 6, 2010. Please consult the Deadlines & Timeline page for more information.
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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 Deadlines & Timeline page for more information.
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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.
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Q. What is the difference between "Study Abroad Program Title" and "Program Sponsor" in the online application?
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 abbreviations or acronyms when entering this information in. (Example: Ecology of the Rain Forest or Semester in Kyoto.)
The program sponsor is the institution or organization 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.
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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.
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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 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.
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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.
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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 online application asking them to certify your information. It is very important that you contact your university's study abroad and financial aid office prior to submitting your application to ensure that your advisors’ 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 Deadlines & Timeline page for more information. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
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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.
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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.
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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 at your home institution.
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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 and viewing "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.
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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.
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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 the Selection Criteria and Program Statistics pages for further information.
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Q. Is there a health insurance requirement if I receive a Gilman Scholarship?
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.
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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.
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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.
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Q. When and how will I be notified of the status of my application?
A. All applicants will be notified of their status via the primary email address given in the online application. Please consult the Deadlines & Timeline page for more information regarding the timeline of award notifications.
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There are three components to the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Application:
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Online application
- Online certifications from the applicant’s study abroad and financial aid advisor
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Three paper copies of the applicant's transcript/s
All three components must be completed by the deadlines below in order for your application to be accepted. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered and extensions cannot be granted.
Fall 2010 and Summer 2010 Application Deadlines
Online Application Deadline: Tuesday, April 6, 2010
The online application is due at 11:59 PM Central Standard Time on Tuesday, April 6th, 2010. The online application system will close at this time and no more applications will be accepted.
We highly recommend that you submit your application at least one week before the date given above to ensure that you do not miss the deadline as a result of technical difficulties with your equipment/network or as a result of heavy traffic on the Gilman website.
Advisor Certification Deadline: Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Before you begin the Gilman Scholarship application, contact the appropriate offices at your home institution in order to determine the correct study abroad and financial aid advisor to certify your application. Some institutions designate a specific financial aid or study abroad advisor to certify all Gilman Scholarship applications.
If your study abroad or financial aid advisor is not listed in the online application, please contact your advisor and ask him/her to create an account in the application system. Gilman staff will verify your advisor’s account within 2 business days. Once your advisor’s account is verified, you will be able to select your advisor from a drop-down menu within the online application. Please make sure that your advisor’s name is listed in the system well in advance of the deadline, as this information is required in order to submit an application.
Some institutions require a written release of information form before your advisors will be able to certify your application. Failure to submit a written release of information form to your advisor, if required by your university, will delay the processing of your application.
Once you submit your application online please meet with your advisors to confirm that you have applied. At this time your advisors must log in to certify your application. It is your responsibility to ensure that your application has been certified by both advisors no later than the deadline listed above.
Official Transcript Postmark Deadline: Friday, April 9, 2010
Three copies of your undergraduate transcript from your current college or university and any transfer institution listed in your application must be postmarked by this date.
Any of the following will be accepted:
- One original copy of your official transcript and two photocopies of the same document.
- One original copy of your official transcript and two university-issued un-official transcripts. These generally will not be printed on the same paper as the official transcript but should include the same information.
- Three original copies of your official transcript.
Official transcripts do not need to be sealed and may be opened for the purpose of taking photocopies of the document. Web-based transcripts or degree progress reports will not be accepted.
Transcript mailing address:
Institute of International Education
Attn: Gilman Transcripts
1800 West Loop South, Suite 250
Houston, Texas 77027
There are two essays required as part of the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship application; the Statement of Purpose Essay and the Follow-on Project Proposal. This page will provide specific guidelines for each required essay.
The most critical aspect of these and any other essays for a nationally competitive scholarship is to ensure that they are 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 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.
Statement of Purpose Essay
The Statement of Purpose Essay is your chance to personalize your application. When composing the Statement of Purpose Essay it is important 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 points 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 that I may have, such as obtaining a graduate degree?
- 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 I faced in my decision to study abroad? What impact would receiving the Gilman Scholarship have on these challenges? For example do I face familial obligations or concerns that hinder my 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.
Follow-on Project Proposal
The Follow-on Project Proposal is your chance to explain how you will give back by inspiring others to pursue their own experiences abroad. 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 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 the online application and this proposal is closely reviewed during the selection process. Some key points to keep in mind are:
- 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?
- 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 to 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 the project involves working with a local K-12 classroom will school be in session when I return to complete my project?
- How will I carry out my project? Are there methods I can utilize, such as power point presentations, slide shows, websites, blogs, 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?
Examples of Follow-on Projects
Gilman Scholars have proposed and carried out a wide range of Follow-on Projects. Each year a wide range of Follow-on Project Proposals 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. Listed below are some examples of the 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:
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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 with photos, letters and emails from the Gilman Scholar while s/he was abroad, as well as items the student brings back with him/her from his/her 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 high school students such as the Upward Bound program.
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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.
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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
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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 as a resource person for a specific country/program/field of study that would advise/assist potential study abroad students
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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 students are 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 celebrations
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.
Once you begin your Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship application you will receive electronic newsletters to assist you with the application process. If you have any questions as you prepare your application, please contact gilman@iie.org or 713-621-6300 ext. 25.
Application Status:
Once you begin an application, your application status will become visible. You can click on "my application status" and see the percentage completed. You can also see what components of the application are missing, including if your advisors have certified your application and whether the Gilman Scholarship Program has received your transcripts. If you have questions regarding your application status, please contact gilman@iie.org or 713-621-6300 ext. 25.
Gilman Emails:
Are you receiving them? You may not be receiving important emails from the Gilman Scholarship Program, because your email account is not allowing Gilman emails to enter your inbox. Often we see reset password and application status emails returned, because they are not allowed by the recipients email system. Please make sure that you are able to receive Gilman emails, because they are our main form of communication, and they include important information regarding your application. If you are using a university email account, you may have to contact the system administrator. If you are using a non-university email, such as AOL, Hotmail or Yahoo our emails may go to your junk folder. One way to prevent this is to add the Gilman email,
gilman@iie.org, to your address book.
Contact your Advisors:
The Gilman Scholarship Program highly encourages cooperation between advisors and applicants. Advisors are integral to your application. Your study abroad advisor can assist you with the application process, composing and proof-reading your essays, and in developing your follow-on project. Your financial aid advisor can inform you of your financial aid information, which is required on the application. Both advisors will be required to certify the information provided in your application in order for your application to be complete. Be courteous and start conversing with your advisors now if you have not already done so. If your advisors have questions, please have them contact
gilmanadvisors@iie.org or 713-621-6300 ext 16.
Request your Transcripts:
The Gilman Scholarship Program requires 3 transcripts to accompany your application before it can be reviewed by the selection committee and considered for an award. You may send 3 official transcripts, or 1 official transcript and 2 photocopies of the official transcript to the address below. Transcripts do not have to be received in their original envelope. If you are a first-year student and do not have a previous record at your home institution, then please also send your high school transcript or previous institution’s transcript along with a letter from your home institution verifying your current enrollment. Transcripts must be postmarked by the deadline assigned for the current application cycle.
Request your transcripts now to avoid delaying your application!
Send to:
Institute of International Education
Attn: Gilman Transcripts
1800 West Loop South, Suite 250
Houston, TX 77027
Tips for Writing Competitive Essays:
- Have your essay proofread. One of the most important things to remember for any essay is to have it read by an advisor or professor. Spell check and grammar check are fine, but a good proofreader will find things that your word processing software won’t. For example, study abroad is often spelled incorrectly in essays as study aboard. Both are spelled correctly according to spell check, but the latter is incorrect in context. In addition, a proofreader can often make suggestions on how to clarify a point that may not make sense to someone else.
- Work with your advisors. It is important to talk with your study abroad advisor prior to completing your essays. Your study abroad advisor can give you ideas for subjects to cover in your Statement of Purpose Essay. He/She can also help you develop a creative Follow-on Project. Remember your advisors may have participated in selection panels for scholarship programs and can give you some great insight into what makes an interesting and competitive essay.
- Work with your writing center on campus. Take the first draft of your essay to your campus writing center or to a composition professor. These individuals have invaluable expertise in writing essays for scholarships and can be a great resource on your campus anytime you need to prepare an essay.
- Be creative. Remember that this is a competitive scholarship program and the selection panelist’s only chance to get to know you is through your essay. The essays are your chance to tell the selection panelist about yourself and your decision to study abroad. It is important to develop an original and creative Follow-on Project. The most competitive applications are those that have creative and original essays.
- Check for proper spelling, punctuation and grammar. Before submitting your application, be sure to double check your essay. Did you spell the names of cities correctly? Spell check will not always correct these mistakes. Be sure you have proper punctuation and do not type your essay in all lower case or all upper case letters. Most importantly, check for correct grammar. Grammar check will not always correct your sentence properly so it is important to have someone else look at your essay thoroughly.
For more in-depth information regarding the Statement of Purpose and Follow-on Project Proposal essays, please visit the Essays page.
Polishing Your Application:
As you prepare to submit your application, here are a few important tips to remember:
- Are your name and contact information spelled correctly with proper punctuation and capitalization? All materials will be reviewed exactly as submitted. Please make sure your essays and all application questions are submitted using proper punctuation and grammar. Do not type in all caps or all lower case.
- Are your study abroad program dates correct? Double check to make sure you have entered the correct year. For example, if your program begins in January, be sure to list the new year in your program dates. If you still have not received your exact program dates, please enter the best estimated dates. Once you are informed of the exact dates, notify the Gilman Scholarship Program immediately.
- Has someone else, preferably your study abroad advisor, proofread your essay? Your advisors may have experience advising students for the Gilman Scholarship Program and will have good insight on what to include in your essay – or what not to include.
- Have you selected the correct Study Abroad Advisor and Financial Aid Advisor to certify your application? It is important to meet with your advisors to let them know you will be submitting an application and that they will need to certify the application online. The advisors that you select in your application must come from your home institution.
- Have you requested your transcripts? Many institutions require several days to process your transcript before mailing or giving it to you. Transcripts must be mailed to the Gilman Scholarship Program by the postmark deadline found on the Deadlines and Timeline page. Please request your transcripts now to ensure you don't miss the deadline.
Congratulations on submitting your Gilman Scholarship application!
Now what? Once you have completed the online application, your advisors have completed the online certification, and your transcripts have been received, then your application is complete. Please visit the Deadlines and Timeline page for further information on when selection panels convene and award notifications are made for each application cycle. You can expect to hear from the Gilman Scholarship Program, whether you have been selected as a recipient or not via email once all applications have been reviewed. A message will be posted on the home page of the Gilman website once awards have been announced. If any information in your application changes, please notify the Gilman Scholarship Program immediately.
Best of luck and we look forward to reviewing your application!