Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Gilman Program) is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. To be eligible for a Gilman scholarship, an applicant must be:

A citizen or national of the United States;
An undergraduate student in good standing at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States (including both two-year and four-year institutions);
Receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship;
In the process of applying to, or accepted to, a credit-bearing study abroad or internship program. Proof of program acceptance is required prior to award disbursement;
Applying for credit-bearing study abroad programs in a country or location with an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2, according to the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Advisory System. It is important to note that certain areas within a country or location that has an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2 may be designated within the Travel Advisory as either Level 3 or Level 4; Gilman scholars will not be allowed to travel to these specific areas. Gilman scholars are unable to participate in programs located in a country or location — or an area within a country or location — that is designated as either a Level 3 (“Reconsider travel to”) or Level 4 (“Do not travel to”).
Gilman Scholars are unable to participate in education abroad programs that involve an overseas institution on the Section 1286 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) List of “Foreign Institutions Engaging in Problematic Activities”. Note: The current, annually updated list dated June 26, 2026 applies for programs in China. Link: https://www.cto.mil/fy25-ndaa-section-1286-list/