Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Opening Soon
Offered by U.S. Department of State (administered by the Institute of International Education)
About This Scholarship
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is the U.S. Department of State's flagship program for making study abroad affordable for lower-income students. Nearly 3,000 scholarships of up to $5,000 are awarded each academic year to American undergraduates receiving Federal Pell Grants, funding study-abroad programs and international internships around the world.
Award money can cover tuition, room and board, books, local transportation, insurance, airfare, and even passport and visa fees. Supplemental funding is available for students studying critical-need languages and for STEM-focused coursework abroad, stacking additional dollars on top of the base award.
Because the applicant pool is limited to Pell Grant recipients, the Gilman is dramatically more accessible than most nationally competitive awards — it exists specifically for students who might otherwise never study abroad. The fall application cycle opens in mid-August 2026 and closes October 1, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.
Eligibility
- U.S. citizen undergraduate enrolled at an accredited U.S. institution
- Receiving a Federal Pell Grant at the time of application or during the study-abroad term
- Applying to or accepted into an eligible study abroad or international internship program
- No application fee
How To Apply
- Start your application at gilmanscholarship.org when the cycle opens in mid-August 2026
- Submit essays, program details, and advisor certifications from your financial aid and study abroad offices
- Complete everything before the October 1, 2026, 11:59 p.m. PT deadline
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies for the Gilman Scholarship?
U.S. citizen undergraduates who receive a Federal Pell Grant and are pursuing an eligible study abroad program or international internship — nearly 3,000 awards of up to $5,000 are made each year.
Can I get more than $5,000?
The base award is up to $5,000, and supplemental awards are available for critical-need language study and STEM coursework abroad.