Gilman Scholarship

Gilman provides two application cycles annually. To be considered for the Gilman Scholarship, students must apply during the appropriate cycle based on their program dates. The timelines below are designed to assist you in planning and preparing your application. For the most current deadlines, please visit the Gilman Scholarship website.

October 2025 Cycle

• Opens: Mid-August
• Application Deadline: October 3rd, 2025
• *Certifier Deadline: October 10, 2025
• Award notification: December
• Students can apply to the October cycle if they are studying abroad in 2025 during the Winter term or the following terms in 2026: Spring, Spring Break, Calendar Year, Summer, Fall and Academic Year.

March 2026 Cycle

• Opens: Mid-January
• Application Deadline: Early March
• *Certifier Deadline: Mid March
• Award notification: May
• Students can apply to the March cycle if they are studying abroad in 2026 during the Summer, Fall, Winter terms or the following terms in 2027: Spring, Spring Break or Calendar Year.

*Your Study Abroad and Financial Aid Certifiers have one week after the Gilman application deadline to certify your Gilman application and confirm your study abroad program information and financial aid details are correct.

There are four short essays required as part of the Gilman Scholarship application divided into 2 sections: the Statement of Purpose Essays the Representing America Abroad/Hometown Impact Essays. Each section consists of two short essays that have a 500 word count maximum. For those applying for a Critical Need Language Award or for the STEM Supplemental Award, additional essays are required.

Here are our top 3 tips for a successful Gilman application:

1. Start early: This allows ample time for research, drafting, and revisions, ensuring high-quality submissions. This also reduces stress and provides opportunities for feedback, increasing your chances of success.
2. Utilize your resources: Utilize campus resources such as writing centers, study abroad coordinators, the study abroad Gilman peer advisor, and scholarship offices to enhance your scholarship application. These resources provide valuable guidance, feedback, and support throughout the application process.
3. Fully respond to the Gilman essay prompts: Ensure you fully answer the scholarship essay prompts by carefully reading each question, addressing all parts, and staying focused on the topic. Invest time in drafting, editing, and having others proofread your essays. Ask yourself the questions below as you draft your Gilman essays.

Short Essay 1: Motivations for Studying Abroad

2 Questions to Ask Yourself: Motivations for Studying Abroad Essay (max 500 words)

1. Did you make the case for how and why a study abroad experience will contribute to your future academic and professional and goals?
2. Why did you select your study abroad program and host country?

Short Essay 2: Knowledge and Skill Development through Studying Abroad 

3 Questions to Ask Yourself: Knowledge and Skill Development through Studying Abroad Essay (max 500 words)

1. What specific knowledge and skills do you hope to develop through your experience abroad?
2. Did your explain how your strengths and skills you've learned through academic, professional, extracurricular, or volunteer activities will help you navigate a new environment abroad?
3. Do you provide specific examples of how your own unique experiences have prepared you to overcome obstacles, develop skills, and thrive in new opportunities?

Short Essay 3: Gilman Scholars as Citizen Diplomats

5 Questions to Ask Yourself: Building Mutual Understanding (max of 500 words)

1. Do you explain how you plan to represent the U.S. and share your own background and experience as a U.S. citizen?
2. How does your identity, values, beliefs and culture reflect the diversity of the U.S.?
3. Do you discuss the opportunities you will intentionally seek, within your study abroad program and in your free time, to become more culturally engaged and build meaningful relationships within your host community?
4. What do you hope citizens of your host country will learn about the U.S. through you?
5. Have you articulated any specific plans that involve showcasing America’s 250th anniversary while in your host community?

Short Essay 4: Contributions to U.S. Communities and Follow-on Service Project Proposal

5 Questions to Ask Yourself: Follow-On Service Project Proposal (max of 500 words)

1. How do you plan to leverage and share the knowledge and skills gained on your study abroad program upon returning to the U.S.?
2. Does your Follow-on Service Project increase awareness of the Gilman Scholarship and study abroad?
3. Do you provide a feasible and detailed plan for your project?
4. Do you have an intended audience and did you include who you will collaborate with to reach this community?
5. Consider the barriers you faced to studying abroad. How can you help support other students in similar situations through your Follow-On Service Project?

Critical Need Language Award Essay (optional)

Students who are taking a course in a critical need language while abroad can apply to be considered for additional funding up to $3,000

4 Questions to Ask Yourself: Critical Need Language Award Essay (max of 300 words)

1. Do you describe your motivation to study the language and explain how it advances your personal, academic and professional goals?
2. Do you discuss your previous language learning experience, if applicable, and how it informs your current pursuit of language proficiency?
3. Do you outline your strategy for improving language skills during your study abroad experience, in and out of the classroom?
4. Do you explain how you plan to continue using the language after studying abroad?

STEM Supplemental Award Essay (optional)

Students who are conducting STEM-related coursework or internships as part of their study abroad program can apply to be considered for additional funding up to $1,000.

4 Questions to Ask Yourself: STEM Supplemental Award Essay (max 300 words)

1. Do you provide a clear description of your STEM coursework OR internship you will conduct while abroad?
2. Do you explicitly state your commitment to your STEM field and how your study abroad experience aligns with your future goals?
3. Do you highlight how your coursework or internship abroad will benefit your long-term academic and career journeys?
4. Do you address your financial needs related to your STEM coursework or internship expenses including items such as fees, equipment and transportation?

I am not sure if I receive a Pell Grant. How can I check?

Log into your UAccess Student Center and navigate to the “Financial Aid” tab. Select “Financial Aid Summary” and click on your “Financial Aid Offers.” You will see all the federal and institutional financial aid you were offered and have accepted. You must receive a Federal Pell Grant at the time of application to Gilman or while you will be studying abroad.

What if I don't receive a federal Pell Grant, but do receive other federal financial aid? Am I still eligible to apply to gilman?

No, only students receiving a Federal Pell Grant at the time of application or at the time of the study abroad program are eligible for the Gilman Scholarship. Other forms of federal financial aid do not satisfy this eligibility requirement. We encourage you to visit our Scholarships page and Scholarship Universe to view other opportunities.

What are the chances of me receiving the Gilman scholarship?

Nationally, about 1 in 5 students are awarded a scholarship. Approximately 1 in 3 University of Arizona students who apply receive the Gilman scholarship. More than 500 U of A students have received over $2 million dollars in funding from Gilman!

Do I need to apply to my study abroad program before applying to Gilman?

You must be in the process of planning to apply, currently applying, or accepted to a credit-bearing study abroad program to be eligible to apply for the Gilman Scholarship. You may find that the deadline for the Gilman Scholarship is earlier than the deadline for your study abroad program. Therefore, you may be applying to Gilman before applying to study abroad. If you are awarded a Gilman Scholarship, they will request proof of acceptance into the program listed in your application at that time.

How do I know if my study abroad program is eligible for the Gilman Scholarship?

First, you must ensure you will be earning academic credit for participating in your study abroad program. Next, you can check to see if the location of your study abroad program has an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2, according to the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Advisory System.

Who is my study abroad and financial aid advisor?

The Financial Aid Advisor for ALL Gilman applicants at the University of Arizona is Roger Graham. The Financial Aid Certifier will confirm the financial aid information you provided on your Gilman application.

Who is my Study Abroad Certifier?

Your Study Abroad Certifier is your study abroad coordinator. You should have an email from your coordinator in your inbox from when you applied to study abroad. The Study Abroad Certifier will confirm the program information you provided on your Gilman application. If you are still not sure who to indicate as your Study Abroad Certifier, please email studyabroad@arizona.edu.

How can I be sure my certifiers will certify my application?

To ensure your application is certified, simply log in to your Gilman Application to check the status. You do not need to email them a reminder to certify your application, as Gilman will send automatic emails on your behalf.

Gilman is requesting information about my study abroad program cost. How do I find this?

The cost of your study abroad program can be found on the program page under the section titled “Costs & Funding.” You should provide the total amount at the bottom of the program budget.

When will I find out if I get the Gilman scholarship?

If you applied during the March cycle, Gilman will notify selected students in May. If you applied in the October cycle, Gilman will email students in December. Be sure to keep an eye on your email inbox, as all communication from Gilman will go to the email you registered your account with.

How do I receive a $750 GATO Award for applying to the Gilman scholarship?

Study Abroad will award a $750 GATO Award to all committed study abroad students in an eligible program who apply to the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship regardless of whether they are awarded the Gilman Scholarship. Study Abroad will determine your eligibility for this scholarship based on the GATO Award requirements upon committing to an eligible study abroad program. Your $750 scholarship will be automatically disbursed to your bursar’s before your study abroad charges are due.

I have additional questions about the Gilman scholarship, where can I find out more?

If you did not find the answers you were looking for, the Gilman website has additional resources and its own FAQ section. Additionally, you can email Dafne at dafnej@arizona.edu. Best of luck with your Gilman Scholarship application!