National and International Scholarships Office John Martinson Honors College

Gilman Scholarship

Information Sessions: Cycle 1: Aug 28, 2025 RSVP; Cycle 2 or later: NISO Week Sept 22-26, 2025

Cycle 1 Deadline: (study abroad start date 12/1/25-10/31/26) October 3, 2025

Cycle 2 Deadline: (study abroad start date 5/1/26-4/30/27) March 5, 2026

Fields of Study: Open

Funding for: Study abroad

Begin Application: freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior year

Program Website: www.gilmanscholarship.org

Description

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Gilman Program) supports students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, providing them with skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. With this in mind, the program encourages students to study or intern abroad in all world regions and from all U.S. states, academic fields, and types of institutions so as to develop a generation of future American leaders with the career skills and international networks to advance U.S. interests. Almost 60% of all Gilman scholars come from small towns or rural communities across the United States. The program encourages students to choose non-traditional study and intern destinations, especially those outside of Western Europe, in order to expand the destinations where U.S. students study and intern abroad, in order to build relationships, foster mutual understanding, and represent American culture and values critical to national security. In addition to the standard Gilman award, the Gilman Program offers limited supplemental funding opportunities for students who want to conduct STEM-related coursework or internships abroad as part of their study abroad or international internship program and students studying critical languages (those deemed important to national security).

Gilman Scholars receive non-competitive eligibility (NCE) for future employment. This is a special hiring authority granted by the U.S. government.

Eligibility Requirements

  • U.S. citizen or national.
  • Undergraduate student in good standing.
  • Receiving a Federal Pell Grant at the time of application or during the term of his/her study abroad program or internship.
  • Applying to or been accepted into a study abroad program or internship eligible for credit by an accredited institution of higher education in the U.S.
  • Studying or interning abroad in any country except Cuba or a country on the U.S. Travel Warning list at level 3 or 4.It's important to note that travel warning levels can change quickly.

Candidate Profile

  • Application to or acceptance into an appropriate and reputable study abroad program.
  • Strong rationale for studying abroad in a chosen program and connection with future goals.
  • Creative and feasible Follow-On Service Project with a clear purpose and target audience.
  • Limited or no prior study abroad experience.
  • Desire and plan to study a Critical Need Language while abroad.

Application Components

  • Online application
  • Online certifications from study abroad and financial aid advisors
  • Certified transcript(s)
  • Motivations for Studying or Interning Abroad essay of no more than 500 words
  • Knowledge and Skill Development through Studying and Interning Abroad essay of no more than 500 words
  • Gilman Scholars as Citizen Diplomats essay of no more than 500 words
  • Contributions to U.S. communities and Follow-On Service Project Proposal essay of no more than 500 words

Application Procedure

All applicants MUST be reviewed and certified by their college or university. As such, Purdue applicants work with the National and International Scholarships Office (NISO) to receive support and feedback throughout the application process and are certified by the Study Abroad Office per Gilman Scholarship requirements.

Detailed campus application information is provided directly to applicants once they declare their intention to apply.