Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship for 2025? A Complete Guide.

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a well-known financial aid program. The U.S. Department of State gives out the scholarship, which is named for Congressman Benjamin A. Gilman, who was a major supporter of promoting international educational exchange. 

What is the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship?

The Gilman International Scholarship helps undergraduate students in the United States pay for studying abroad. Its main goal is to get more students from different backgrounds to apply. 

This scholarship's goal is to make it easier for students to get global learning experiences that they might not have had the chance to do otherwise. The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs runs the program, which is run by the non-profit group World Learning. Gilman scholars are encouraged to talk about their experiences when they go back to the U.S. to show their friends and community how valuable studying abroad can be.

Why You Should Apply for the Gilman International Scholarship

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship has a lot of perks that make it a good choice for those who want to study abroad:

• Help with money: The Gilman Scholarship can provide you up to $5,000 to assist pay for studying abroad, which can make it a lot easier to pay for. Students who are studying in "non-traditional" places (countries that American students don't usually visit) can get an extra $3,000.
• Easy to get to: The scholarship is only for students who are financially disadvantaged or come from underrepresented groups in study abroad programs. It encourages people from minority groups, first-generation college students, and those who hail from rural or low-income areas to get involved.
• A Global Learning Experience: Studying abroad is a great way to learn about a new culture, pick up a new language, and see things from a global point of view. These experiences can help you do better in school, get a better job, and work with people from other countries.
• Giving people power and becoming a leader: As a Gilman scholar, you will be part of a large group of alumni and scholars who are working to improve education around the world. The program also gives you chances to be a leader, such as becoming an "ambassador for the Gilman program" and "studying abroad" in your own town.

Who Can Get the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship?

Undergraduate students who meet the following requirements can apply for the Gilman Scholarship:

• Being a U.S. Citizen: You need to be a U.S. citizen and a student at a U.S. accredited school.
• Academic Standing: You need to be a undergraduate student who is doing well in school. You also need to plan to study abroad for at least four weeks (one academic term or summer session) in a program that counts toward your degree.
• Need for Money: The scholarship is for students who show that they need money. You will need to show that you qualify for Federal Pell Grant funding, which is usually given to low-income college students, as part of the application process.
• Who Can Apply for the Program: Your study abroad program must give you credit and be recognized by your home school. The program can take place in any country, as long as it is not on the U.S. Department of State's "restricted countries list."
• Non-Dual U.S. Citizenship: Gilman scholars cannot have dual U.S. citizenship in the country where they want to study. The scholarship is not available to U.S. citizens who are also citizens of the nation they want to study in.

What Does the Gilman Scholarship Pay For?

The Gilman International Scholarship gives students a lot of money to study overseas. The main benefits of the scholarship are:

• Help with tuition: The scholarship gives students up to $5,000 to study abroad, which they can use to pay for their tuition and other school-related expenditures while they are there.
• More money for places that aren't traditional: Students who choose to study in "non-traditional destinations," which are countries outside of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, can get an extra $3,000. The goal of this extra money is to get students to think about going to places that American students don't usually go.
• Costs of Travel: You can use the scholarship to pay for travel costs, like airline, visa fees, and other travel-related charges. This can help you save a lot of money on the expense of studying abroad.
• Costs of living: The Gilman Scholarship can also assist pay for things like housing, food, and other daily needs while you study abroad. This allows you focus on your education without worrying about money.

How to Get the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

It's hard to get the Gilman International Scholarship, so you need to plan ahead. Here is a step-by-step tutorial to help you apply for the scholarship:

• Check to see whether you qualify: Before you apply, be sure you fit all the requirements for the Gilman Scholarship. You must be a U.S. citizen, an undergraduate student, and planning to study abroad in a program that is qualified.
• Sign up for a program to study abroad: You have to get into a study abroad program that lasts at least four weeks and gives you credit toward your degree. Make sure that your school has approved the program.
• Fill out the Application: You can fill out the application for the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship online at the official Gilman Scholarship website. You will need to do the following to apply:
  • Personal information and school history.
  • Essay responses that explain why you want to study abroad, how the experience fits with your academic and career aspirations, and how you plan to share what you've learned when you get back.
  • Financial information (eligible for the Pell Grant).
  • Proof of acceptance into a program to study abroad.
• Send in letters of recommendation: You will need to get letters of recommendation from professors, advisers, or mentors who can talk about your academic success, leadership potential, and why you would be a good fit for the Gilman Scholarship.
• Send in the application: Once you've filled out your application and uploaded the needed documents, send it in through the official Gilman Scholarship Portal before the deadline.
• The Interview Process: As part of the selection process, some applicants may be chosen for a short interview. Make sure to check your email for any requests to follow up or invites to interviews.
• Results Notification: For summer or fall semester programs, applicants will usually find out about their scholarship status by April 2026. Check your inbox often for new messages.

What Are the Important Dates for the 2025 Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship?

• Application Period Opens: October 3, 2025
• Application Deadline: Early November 2025 (check the official scholarship website for specific dates)
• Results Notification: April 2026 (for summer or fall programs)
• Study Abroad Period: Scholarships are available for students who want to study abroad in the summer or fall 2026.

Common Questions (FAQs)

How much money does the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship give?

Students studying abroad can get up to $5,000 from the Gilman Scholarship. Students studying in less common places can get an extra $3,000.

Can I apply if I don't qualify for a Pell Grant?

No, the Gilman Scholarship is only for students who can get Pell Grant funding. You won't be able to get the Gilman Scholarship if you don't get a Pell Grant.

Can I apply for the Gilman Scholarship if I am studying abroad for a semester?

Students studying abroad for one academic term, a summer session, or any approved study abroad program can get the Gilman Scholarship.

Can I use the Gilman Scholarship for programs in any country?

The Gilman Scholarship can be utilized for study abroad programs in every country except those on the U.S. Department of State's list of nations that are not safe.

Can graduate students get the Gilman Scholarship?

No, the Gilman Scholarship is solely for undergraduate students who are citizens of the United States.

Final Thoughts

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a great way for American college students to get useful international experience. This scholarship helps lower the cost of studying abroad by giving up to $5,000 in financing (and an extra $3,000 for non-traditional places). 

The Gilman Scholarship can help you make your dream of studying abroad come true if you match the qualifications and love traveling.