Navigating the CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant: Requirements and Opportunities for Study Abroad

Studying abroad can be a transformative experience. However, financial constraints often prevent underrepresented students from accessing these opportunities. The CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange) and the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program offer pathways to overcome these barriers. Specifically, the CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant provides financial support to students applying for the Gilman Scholarship, facilitating their participation in CIEE study abroad programs.

Understanding the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, aims to broaden the range of U.S. students who study and intern abroad. It targets undergraduate students who might not otherwise participate due to limited financial resources. The program encourages students to explore diverse countries and regions, and especially to study critical need languages. Annually, nearly 3,000 scholarships, each worth up to $5,000, are awarded nationally. Additionally, the Gilman-McCain Scholarship, named after the late Senator John S. McCain from Arizona, provides $5,000 awards for child dependents of active-duty service members to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs.

The CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant: A Complementary Opportunity

As part of its mission to increase access to study abroad, CIEE offers the Gilman Go Global Grant to both Gilman Scholars and Gilman applicants. This grant provides additional funding specifically for CIEE programs. Applicants for the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship can apply for the CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant, which provides both program cost support and support for airfare.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant, students must be applicants for the Gilman Scholarship. They will be required to provide proof of having applied to the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, upon request. Go Global Grants are available for summer, semester, and year-long CIEE programs.

Application Deadlines

Students must submit their application by mid-October for spring programs, or early April for summer and fall programs to be guaranteed a grant. It's important to adhere to these deadlines to ensure consideration for the grant.

Read also: Gilman Scholarship Essay Tips

Grant Details

The Gilman Go Global Grant is a need-based grant. Students must submit their CIEE Scholarships & Grants application by the specified dates and provide proof of an eligible application to the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. The grant amount is deducted from semester program fees and can be up to $2,500.

Additional Funding Opportunities from CIEE

CIEE offers a variety of need-based, merit-based, and other scholarships & grants to help students on their study abroad journey. Ranging from a referral program to the Gilman Go Global Grant and more, these semester scholarships & grants help meet the needs of students and provide more equitable access to semester abroad programs.

Need-Based Grants

Students with an SAI (Student Aid Index) of 10,000 or less must submit their CIEE Scholarships & Grants application by these dates to be guaranteed a GAIN Travel Grant. Students with SAIs above 10,000 should still apply, but they will be considered after the Scholarships and Grants Deadline. The GAIN Travel Grant is valid toward outbound and return airfare on CIEE programs. This is a credit with CIEE's partner travel agency and has no cash value. If you are selected for a GAIN Travel Grant, CIEE will not reimburse you for out-of-pocket travel costs.

Merit Scholarships

Merit study abroad scholarships are based on academic achievement. Several merit scholarships are available:

Douglass-O'Connell Global Internship: For freshman, sophomore, or junior, Pell-eligible students with a 3.0 GPA. Covers 100% of program fee and travel costs for an eight-week summer global internship program, including airfare.
Douglass-O'Connell Scholars Grant: Qualified applicants not chosen for the Douglass-O'Connell Global Internship are guaranteed a $1,500 grant toward any CIEE summer or semester program.
McDermott Health Sciences, Nursing and Public Health: For students with academic achievement and acceptance into a program focused on health sciences, nursing, or public health.
Ping Scholarship for Academic Excellence: For students with academic achievement.
Ritzmann Tropical and Marine Ecology Scholarship: For students with academic achievement and acceptance into a program focused on tropical or marine ecology.
Scan Design Foundation Environmental Sustainability Internship: For undergraduate or graduate students from an accredited institution; returning to their institution; Pell-eligible; 3.0 GPA. Covers 100% of program fee and travel costs for an eight-week summer global internship program, including airfare.
STEM Scholarship: For any STEM major studying on any CIEE Summer Program.
Stohl International Undergraduate Research Scholarship: For students with academic achievement and acceptance into a qualified program.
Wollitzer Merit Scholarship in Area or Comparative Studies: For students with academic achievement and acceptance into a qualified program.

To receive a merit scholarship, you must complete the Scholarships & Grants portion of your program application, along with an essay, to be considered for all awards to which you are eligible. Under the essay section of the Scholarships Application, you need to explain how your CIEE program will impact your college experience and/or future career plans in 300 words or less.

Read also: Study Abroad Scholarships

Navigating the Application Process

CIEE Scholarships & Grants Application

By simply completing the Scholarships & Grants portion of your study abroad application, CIEE's team determines the best scholarship and grant opportunities for you.

What You'll Need to Apply

Need-Based Grants: The Student Aid Index (SAI) number from your most recent Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Submission Summary. If you want to be considered for the CIEE Gilman Go Global Grant, you must provide proof of submission of an eligible application to the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. If applying for need-based grants only, you do not need to complete the essay section of the Scholarships Application.
Merit Scholarships: Complete the essay section of the Scholarships Application. In 300 words or less, explain how your CIEE program will impact your college experience and/or future career plans. Complete the G.P.A.

Key Considerations for a Strong Application

Align Your Goals: Articulate how you can help to further the mission and goals of the organization or scholarship foundation.
Utilize Storytelling: Share aspects of who you are, your identity, journey, and your impact to make your application memorable.
Address Urgency: Make the case for why this opportunity is crucial for you right now.
Speak to Alumni: Connect with alumni from your program, those who studied in that destination, or who have been awarded the scholarship.

Essay Tips for the Gilman Scholarship Application

The Benjamin A. The Gilman Scholarship Application requires three essays as part of the application process. For those applying for a Critical Need Language Award, an additional essay is required. Start early and revise until you have quality application essays.

Answer all parts of the essay question/prompt.
Acknowledge who will be reading/reviewing your essay (Study Abroad Advisors, Fellowship Advisors across the USA, Language Faculty, US Higher Education Administrators) and speak to your audience.
Proofread your essay and utilize your resources: previous scholarship applications, Hacherl Research & Writing Studio, Scholarship Center, Education Abroad advisors.
Use an active voice, write what you will do versus what you could or might do.

Statement of Purpose Tips

Highlight the program you have chosen, the university you are attending, specific courses you plan to take, and how they fulfill degree requirements or impact your academics. List how the program and region impact your short-term and long-term goals.

Building Mutual Understanding Prompt

Share about your identity and how you represent being an American. Share a story from your childhood to give the reviewers a sense of your lived experience, and how this contributes to your identity or contributes to who you are. Share how you plan to engage and interact with others or become more culturally engaged during your program.

Follow-on Service Project Tips

Share information about international education and The Gilman International Scholarship. Choose a target audience: ideally clubs/organizations/students you have connections with, and communities that could benefit from the Gilman. Providing statistics or demographics can add value here â of your department or classes or high school or city, or even your college for example. Be creative: Target community organizations and future outreach rather than campus communities. Target ideal populations not just language classes on campus. How will you pay it forward? Make the project realistic and feasible. List organizations or people that you have spoken to about getting involved with your projects. Connect with the Education Abroad office - they may have ideas or projects for a follow on that they feel would really help education abroad as a field.

Read also: Comprehensive Gilman Guide

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Donât talk about being excited about travelling, feature program excursions, or additional travel during your study abroad.
Over-explain things.
Disclose or feature other significant scholarships you may have received.
Avoid lengthy descriptions or flowery language.
If your program is short (one week or one month) really highlight how the credits and language immersion are built into the program.

Application Deadlines & Notification Timeline

Grant	Program Term	CIEE starts reviewing applications	You will be notified	Scholarships Application Deadline
Need-Based*	J-Term/Winter/Spring	Summer prior	Within 2 weeks	October 15
Need-Based*	Summer or Fall	Winter prior	Within 2 weeks	April 1
Need-Based*	Summer Global Internships	Winter prior	Within 2 weeks	February 15
Merit	Winter/Spring	After Deadline	Early November	October 15
Merit	Summer or Fall	After Deadline	Mid-April	April 1
Merit	Summer Global Internships	After Deadline	Late February	February 15

*Students who apply for Need-Based funding and have an SAI higher than 10,000 on their FAFSA Submission Summary will be reviewed after the noted deadlines above.

Note: J-Term programs are only eligible for need-based GAIN Travel Grants. Summer Global Internships: CIEE offers an early option deadline for both need and merit-based funding for these programs. Students who apply for funding by February 15th will receive a decision by late February.

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