As retired educators and authors who have experienced the benefits of international education, Jim and Joan McKeown established and endowed the Gilman-McKeown Scholarship under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State’s Gilman International Scholarship Program. The McKeowns believe that a full year of study abroad transforms student lives by enriching their education experiences, introducing them to new career possibilities, developing their skills to succeed in a global economy, and expanding their knowledge of other countries and cultures as they become global citizens.

While recognizing the benefits of any study or travel abroad, the McKeowns affirm the unparalleled advantage of a full year of academic study immersed in a foreign language.

Dream big and then do it. Any field of study in any foreign language can qualify. Students learn their favorite subject matter and acquire fluency in the language of their choice.

Imagine yourself studying Astronomy in the lands of Galileo or Kepler, Medicine in the footsteps of Pasteur and Curie, Art in the shadows of da Vinci or Rembrandt, Engineering in Japan, History in the cradles of civilization, Music in the lands of Beethoven or Mozart, Marine Biology in Portugal, Thailand, or South America, Modern Languages in your country of choice, and countless other combinations.

We are convinced that this will be the best and most unforgettable experience of your life and set you on a path to success. Our goal is to help make your dream a reality.

Jim and Joan McKeown

The Gilman-McKeown Scholarship supplements the Pell Grant and Gilman Scholarship to make full-year study economically feasible for qualified students. Priority is given to students from/in Minnesota or Wisconsin, but applications are accepted from any state. Students interested in the Gilman-McKeown Scholarship should meet the Gilman selection criteria and apply through the regular Gilman application, with deadlines every October and March. Award amounts vary and may cover full financial need. For any further questions, please contact gilman@iie.org.

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. Government and supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education (IIE). Learn more about the Gilman Program here.