Unlocking Global Opportunities: The Gilman and Gilman-McCain Scholarships
The Department of State's Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program and the Gilman-McCain Scholarship offer remarkable opportunities for American undergraduate students to pursue academic studies and career-oriented internships abroad. These scholarships aim to broaden students' perspectives, enhance their skills, and foster mutual understanding between the United States and other nations.
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, established by the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000, provides up to $5,000 in merit-based scholarships to outstanding American undergraduate students with high financial need. It is named after the late congressman Benjamin A. Gilman (R-NY), who championed international education. This program enables students with limited financial means to experience study abroad opportunities, contributing to national security and economic competitiveness.
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Gilman Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be an undergraduate student in good academic standing
- Be 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
- Have been accepted to or applied to a study abroad program or internship
- Plan to study abroad for at least four weeks in one country
The Gilman Scholarship program does not have a minimum program length requirement, so short-term programs are eligible. However, the program must otherwise meet the eligibility requirements, including being credit-bearing.
Award Details and Eligible Costs
Award recipients are chosen through a competitive selection process and must use the award to defray eligible study or intern abroad costs. The award amount depends on the length of study, the host program and country, and each student’s individual needs. Annually, nearly 3,000 awards of up to $5,000 are awarded to participating students studying and interning in countries all around the world.
Read also: Gilman Scholarship Essay Tips
These costs include:
- Program tuition
- Room and board
- Books
- Local transportation
- Insurance
- International airfare
- Passport and visa fees
Non-Competitive Eligibility (NCE) for Federal Employment
Gilman scholars are eligible for 12 months of noncompetitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government, with the possibility of extensions if certain criteria are met. NCE allows alumni of exchange programs to apply for federal government jobs outside the formal competitive job application process. This benefit allows federal government agencies to hire eligible exchange program alumni outside of the formal competitive job announcement process and to compete for certain federal employment jobs that are only open to federal employees.
If you have successfully completed your program abroad within the last three years, you may be eligible for this NCE. For those that completed your Gilman Program after December 2021, you may request a Certificate of Achievement that will provide record of successful program completion, certifying start date and validity of noncompetitive eligibility through the Gilman Alumni Portal.
Program Goals
The Gilman Program aims to:
- Expand the number of American students who can study abroad and contribute to their development of professional skills, language abilities, and knowledge and understanding of the world.
- Encourage students to choose non-traditional destinations, particularly countries deemed important to U.S. national security and policy.
- Encourage students to study in countries that aren’t as popular for study abroad in order to build relationships, bolster mutual understanding, and represent American culture and values.
The Gilman-McCain Scholarship
The John S. McCain International Scholarship for Families, also known as the Gilman-McCain Scholarship, is open to dependents and spousal dependents of active or activated military personnel during the time of application. This scholarship provides an award of $5,000 for the children or spousal dependents of active United States military personnel.
Read also: Study Abroad Funding
Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Gilman-McCain Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a child or spousal dependent of an active or activated United States military personnel during the time of application. This includes active duty in the Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, Army, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy, Navy Reserve, Space Force, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and USPHS Commissioned Corps.
- Be receiving any type of Title IV federal financial aid. In addition to the Pell Grant, Title IV financial aid also includes Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans, Direct PLUS Loans, and the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant.
- Be participating in a study or intern abroad program.
Key Differences from the Gilman Scholarship
An important difference between the Gilman Scholarship and the Gilman-McCain Scholarship is that whereas the former requires applicants to receive the Federal Pell Grant, the latter is open to students who receive any type of Title IV federal financial aid.
Recommendation
We recommend that any eligible child or spousal dependent of an active military member should complete the Gilman-McCain Scholarship application. If a student is receiving a Federal Pell Grant and is also a child or spousal dependent of an active military member, then the student is eligible for both scholarships; however, the student can only receive one. We recommend that any student eligible for both scholarships should complete the Gilman-McCain Scholarship application.
Supplemental Awards
In addition to the general Gilman Scholarship, the program also provides specific financial aid packages for students whose parents are active duty personnel, who plan to study a critical need language while abroad, or who will conduct STEM-related research as part of their study abroad or international internship program.
Critical Need Language Award
Students studying critical languages are eligible to apply for up to $3,000 in additional funding as part of the Gilman Critical Need Language Award program. This is a supplemental award that Gilman scholarship applicants can also apply for. In addition to their Gilman Scholarship, recipients who plan to study a critical need language while they are abroad will also be eligible for a $3,000 award. A short essay submission is required in addition to the Gilman Scholarship application. A limited number of recipients will be selected for this particular award.
Read also: Comprehensive Gilman Guide
As of August 2023, there are 16 critical need languages eligible for this award, primarily spoken in Asia and the Middle East. Students studying in countries where these languages are not predominantly spoken may still be considered for this award if they can make a strong case for their desired destination.
STEM Supplemental Award
Eligible applicants may be awarded a STEM Supplemental Award. Students who are conducting STEM-related research are considered for this scholarship. A 1,000-character essay is required to apply in addition to the Gilman Scholarship Application.
The STEM Supplemental Award can be used for:
- Equipment or gear required to conduct research.
- Hardware or software required to conduct research.
- Fees required to conduct research, such as Internet, cell phone, or printing costs.
- Local transportation required to conduct research.
The Gilman Scholar Network
One of the lasting advantages of the Gilman Scholarship, beyond the study abroad experience or international internship program, is alumni participation in the Gilman Scholar Network. The Gilman Scholar Network is the official site for Gilman Scholars and Alumni to connect with one another via a secure and private platform. Recipients of the Gilman Scholarship can search for other Gilman Scholars and Alumni by categories such as location, college/university, country of study/intern abroad, and career industry. Gilman Scholars and Alumni can request mentorship from more experienced Gilman alumni or offer mentorship to younger alumni or new scholars.
Stay connected to the global Gilman community by subscribing to the Gilman Alumni Newsletter! The monthly newsletter will include updates about upcoming events and opportunities available to Gilman alumni. Also hear stories from inspiring Gilman alumni making an impact around the world.
All Gilman Scholars are encouraged to join the International Exchange Alumni online community. government exchange programs an exciting opportunity to continue the exchange experience after returning home!
Additional Opportunities for Gilman Alumni
The Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University offers Gilman Alumni a scholarship worth up to 40% of degree program tuition, if accepted for admission into a graduate on-campus program. To be eligible for this scholarship, you must meet the admissions requirements for your degree program of choice, and you must complete your Gilman study abroad program by the time of enrollment at Thunderbird.
Gilman alumni who completed their study or intern abroad program in the past three years may qualify for Non-Competitive Eligibility (NCE) for federal hiring. This symposium features three Gilman alumni who have successfully leveraged their NCE to gain employment with the federal government and explains how other alumni can use their NCE in their job search.
Important Considerations
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. For more information visit the Benjamin A. Department of State Travel Advisory System.
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