Learning Abroad Center

Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarships

General Scholarship Information

The Gilman Scholarship Program offers awards for undergraduate study abroad, and was established by the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000. This scholarship provides awards for US undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study and intern abroad programs worldwide.

Resources for University of Minnesota Students

Gilman/Freeman-ASIA Scholarship: Virtual Info Session

The Thursday, September 26, 2024 session has already passed. (The next live session will be February 2025 approx 2 weeks prior to Gilman deadline)

Advance registration will be required to attend. You may register even if you can't attend, and we'll send you the Zoom recording afterwards. 

If you missed or are unable to attend the live session, or wish to review the information early, you may access the Zoom recording of a previous session from September 2024 (login and UofM email will be required). Email Thuy at [email protected] if you'd like a copy of the follow-up email with all the resource links mentioned in the info session.

This session covers eligibility requirements, the application process, tips for applying, and additional resources. A significant part of the webinar will focus on guidance for crafting high-quality Gilman and/or Freeman-ASIA Scholarship essays.

Contact Thuy Doan at [email protected] with questions.

Gilman Scholarship Certifying Study Abroad Advisers

The Gilman scholarship application will ask you to identify a certifying Study Abroad Adviser. You may select any adviser from the drop-down list in the Gilman application portal even though you have not met with that adviser before (a meeting is not necessary to be certified for Gilman). Below is a list of certifying advisers for UofM Twin Cities and UofM Rochester:

  • Thuy Doan
  • Jessica Hartnett
  • Nathan Jacobson
  • Lindsey Lahr (currently unavailable fall 2024)
  • Ryan McCarthy
  • Ashley Metz
  • Emiko Walker (UofM–Rochester students only)

Gilman Scholarship Certifying Financial Aid Advisers

You will be asked to select a certifying financial aid adviser. Both UofM–Twin Cities and UofM–Rochester students may select from any of the certifying financial aid advisers on the drop-down list in the Gilman application portal even if you have not met with that adviser. However, we strongly encourage you to schedule a financial aid preview meeting with an adviser before you have to commit financially to your program. The certifying financial aid advisers include:

  • Cathy Schuster
  • Amanda Temple
  • Bao Vue
  • Mike Arieta (UofM Rochester only)

Writing Your Gilman Scholarship Essays & Individual Feedback on Essay Drafts

We recommend that you review the writing tips provided in our info session (live or recording) prior to writing your draft. 

We also urge that you review the applicant resources on the Gilman website and YouTube channel:
Gilman Required Essays Applicant Webinar (Sept 2024)
Gilman Ask Me Anything—Essay Writing (April 2021)
Gilman Ask Me Anything—Essay Writing (March 2024)
Follow-on Service Project Webinar video
Critical Need Language Language Award—info & essay tips (Sept 2024)
Applicant Webinar: STEM Supplemental Award

As a supplement to the writing centers on campus, the Learning Abroad Center offers individual essay feedback from UofM advisers who have served as Gilman scholarship reviewers. This service is only available to info session attendees or those who have viewed the info session recording, and reviewers will expect you to have applied the writing tips in your essay draft. If you would like feedback on your Gilman essay, email your draft to Thuy Doan at [email protected] and she will distribute your draft to one of the reviewers. Note: advisers cannot review drafts submitted fewer than 5 business days before the application deadline.

Future Sessions & Workshops

Gilman/Freeman-ASIA Scholarship info sessions and workshops are offered once every semester approximately 1-1/2 to 2 weeks prior to the Gilman application deadline.

Eligibility Requirements

  • You must be US citizen currently in good academic standing.
  • You must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant or provide proof that he/she will be receiving a Pell Grant at the time of application or during the term of his/her study abroad program or internship.
  • You are applying to or have been accepted into a study abroad program or internship eligible for credit by the student's accredited institution of higher education in the US.
  • You must be studying in a country or area with an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2, according to the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Advisory System.
  • More eligibility details can be found on the Gilman application website.

Selection Criteria

The Gilman Scholarship Program aims to support a diverse range of students who have been traditionally under-represented in education abroad, including but not limited to:

  • Students with high financial need
  • Students who have not previously studied abroad
  • Students who have served in the US Armed Forces
  • Students studying in non-traditional countries, especially those outside of Western Europe, Australia and New Zealand
  • Students with diverse identities and academic backgrounds
  • Students from a diverse range of institutions including four-year, public, private, community colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and other Minority Serving Institutions.
  • Students with disabilities

Deadlines

Students can study and intern abroad during the spring, summer, fall, or academic year term. Refer to each term for specific dates on the deadlines and timelines for the application cycle.

Application CycleEligible TermsStudent Deadline*
Spring (March 2024) Deadline

Programs beginning between December 1, 2024 and October 31, 2025, including:
Winter Break 2024-25
Spring Semester 2025
Calendar Year 2025
May/Summer 2025
Fall semester 2025
Academic Year 2025-26

 

October 10, 2024
Fall (October 2023) DeadlinePrograms beginning between May 1, 2025 and April 30, 2026, including:
May/Summer 2025
Fall semester 2025
Academic Year 2025-26
Winter Break 2026
Spring Semester 2026
Calendar Year 2026
March 6, 2025

*Study Abroad and Financial Aid Advisers have one week after the student deadline to submit their certifications.

Award Amounts

Over 3200 scholarships of up to $5,000 will be awarded this academic year for US citizen undergraduates to study abroad (with the potential of an additional $3000 for students who also apply for the Critical Need Language award). Award amounts will vary depending on the length of study and student need, with the average award being approximately $4,000 for students on semester year programs and $2500 for short-term programs.

How to Submit Your Application

There are two components to the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Application:

  1. The online application that includes uploading official transcripts.
  2. Online certifications from the applicant’s study abroad and financial aid adviser For UofM students, these are two separate people from different offices.

Both components must be completed by the respective student and adviser deadlines in order for your application to be accepted. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered and extensions cannot be granted.

**Visit the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship website to learn more about this opportunity, review webinars with application tips, and to get started on your application.