Gilman Scholarship 2026 | Up to $5,000 for U.S. Students to Study or Intern Abroad

Applications are now open for the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, a prestigious opportunity supporting American undergraduate students with high financial need who want to study or intern abroad.

The Gilman Scholarship provides awards of up to $5,000 to help eligible students participate in international education and internship experiences. The program is designed to make study abroad more accessible while helping students develop international knowledge, professional networks, and foreign language skills.

The opportunity is particularly valuable for students who may otherwise face financial barriers to gaining international experience.

About the Gilman Scholarship Program

The Gilman Program provides financial assistance to eligible U.S. undergraduate students who receive Federal Pell Grants and want to participate in eligible study or internship programs abroad.

Through the scholarship, students can gain firsthand international experience while continuing their undergraduate education.

International study and internship experiences can help students develop skills and perspectives that complement their academic studies and prepare them for future careers.

Gilman scholars can use their international experiences to expand their understanding of different cultures, strengthen professional networks, and develop language skills.

What the Gilman Scholarship Provides

Selected students can receive up to $5,000 in scholarship funding.

The funding is intended to help reduce the financial barriers associated with participating in approved international study or internship programs.

Key benefits include:

• Up to $5,000 in scholarship funding
• Support for eligible study abroad programs
• Support for eligible international internships
• Opportunity to gain international experience
• Development of foreign language skills
• Expansion of international knowledge and cultural understanding
• Opportunities to build professional networks
• Additional funding opportunities for certain eligible applicants

The amount awarded to each student may vary depending on the student’s eligible program and financial circumstances.

Additional Funding Opportunities

The Gilman Program also provides opportunities for certain students to receive additional funding.

U.S. Military Dependents

Dependents of active or activated U.S. military personnel who are receiving Title IV financial aid are encouraged to apply for dedicated Gilman funding.

This provides an additional avenue of support for eligible military-connected students who want to pursue international educational experiences.

Critical Languages

Students studying languages that are important to U.S. national security may also be eligible for additional funding.

This can provide additional support for students whose international study contributes to the development of language skills considered strategically important.

STEM Students

Students pursuing STEM careers can also apply for additional funding opportunities where eligible.

This makes the program particularly relevant to undergraduate students studying science, technology, engineering, and mathematics who want to gain international academic or professional experience.

Community and Technical College Students

The Gilman Program encourages community and technical college students to apply.

Students attending these institutions can benefit from the same opportunity to gain international exposure and develop skills that can strengthen their academic and professional development.

The encouragement of community and technical college applicants also helps broaden access to international education beyond traditional four-year university students.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

The Gilman Scholarship is intended for eligible American undergraduate students with high financial need who want to participate in an approved study or internship abroad program.

Applicants should meet the program’s specific eligibility requirements, including applicable requirements relating to U.S. citizenship or nationality, undergraduate enrollment, financial aid, and the proposed international program.

Students should carefully review the official eligibility criteria before beginning an application.

The opportunity is particularly relevant to:

• American undergraduate students with high financial need
• Students receiving eligible federal financial assistance
• Students planning to study abroad
• Students planning to complete an international internship
• Students interested in developing foreign language skills
• Students studying languages important to national security
• Students pursuing STEM careers
• Dependents of active or activated U.S. military personnel who meet the applicable requirements
• Community and technical college students

Why Consider the Gilman Scholarship?

Studying or interning abroad can provide valuable academic, cultural, and professional experiences, but the cost of international travel and education can make these opportunities difficult for some students to access.

The Gilman Scholarship is designed to help address this financial barrier.

With awards of up to $5,000, successful applicants can receive meaningful financial assistance toward an eligible international experience.

Beyond financial support, participating students can gain exposure to different cultures, develop international perspectives, strengthen language skills, and establish connections that may benefit their future careers.

Application Deadline

The application deadline is:

Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time

Applicants should not wait until the final day to begin or submit their applications. Preparing a strong scholarship application can require time, particularly when students need to gather information about their proposed international program and prepare their application materials.

How to Apply

Students interested in the Gilman Scholarship should begin by reviewing the official program information and eligibility requirements.

Step 1: Review Eligibility

Confirm that you meet the Gilman Program’s requirements, including the applicable requirements concerning undergraduate enrollment, financial need, financial aid, and the proposed international study or internship program.

Step 2: Explore Your International Program

Identify the eligible study abroad or international internship opportunity you intend to pursue and make sure it meets the program’s requirements.

Step 3: Prepare Your Application

Develop your application carefully and explain how the international experience connects with your academic, professional, and personal goals.

Step 4: Use Available Resources

The Gilman Program provides resources and webinars designed to help applicants understand the scholarship and application process.

Applicants are encouraged to take advantage of these resources before submitting their applications.

Step 5: Submit Before the Deadline

Complete and submit your application before:

October 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time.

Application Link

Students can find application information, resources, webinars, eligibility details, and other program information through the official Gilman Scholarship website:

https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants should take time to clearly communicate why an international experience is important to their academic and professional development.

A strong application should demonstrate that the applicant has carefully considered the proposed international experience and can explain how it connects to their broader goals.

Consider highlighting:

• Your academic objectives
• Your professional ambitions
• Why you want to study or intern abroad
• How the experience will contribute to your development
• How you intend to use the knowledge and skills gained
• Your financial need, where relevant
• Your interest in international engagement and cultural learning

Applicants should also make sure that all information provided is accurate and that their application is submitted before the deadline.

Conclusion

The Gilman Scholarship Program offers an important opportunity for eligible American undergraduate students with high financial need to gain international academic and professional experience.

With awards of up to $5,000, the program can help students overcome some of the financial challenges associated with studying or interning abroad while giving them opportunities to build international knowledge, professional networks, and foreign language skills.

Students studying critical languages, pursuing STEM careers, dependents of eligible U.S. military personnel, and community and technical college students may also benefit from additional opportunities within the program.

If you are an eligible U.S. undergraduate student planning to study or intern abroad, this is an opportunity worth exploring.

Deadline: October 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time.

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