The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a grant program that enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, thereby gaining skills critical to our national security and economic prosperity. The University of Florida consistently has many students receive the Gilman Scholarship; typically, about 30% of the students who apply from UF are awarded. Award amounts can be up to $5,000 (with the opportunity to receive the supplemental Critical Need Language Award of up to $3,000 and/or the STEM Supplemental Award of up to $1,000).

Eligibility

To be eligible to apply for this scholarship, students must meet the following criteria:

  • U.S. citizen
  • Undergraduate student
  • Federal Pell Grant recipient
  • Studying in a country with an overall Travel Advisory level of 1 or 2, according to the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Advisory System. *Note that students may apply for the Gilman while their program destination has a level of 3 or 4 due to COVID-19, however, the level must be lowered to a 1 or 2 by the time their program starts.

This scholarship aims to encourage students to study in diverse countries and world regions, as well as encouraging them to study critical need languages (those deemed important to national security). Students who are historically underrepresented in study abroad are especially encouraged to apply, including but not limited to:

  • Military Veterans (preference given when other factors are equivalent)
  • First-Generation Students
  • Students in STEM
  • Students with Disabilities

Application Process

There are four short essays required as part of the scholarship application: two Statement of Purpose essays and two Representing America Abroad and Hometown Impact essays. For those applying for a Critical Need Language Award (CNLA) or for the STEM Supplemental Award, additional essays are required. Learn more about each prompt on the Gilman Essays page.

  • Short Essay 1: Motivations for Studying or Interning Abroad (max of 500 words)
  • Short Essay 2: Knowledge and Skill Development through Studying and Interning Abroad (max of 500 words)
  • Short Essay 3: Gilman Scholars as Citizen Diplomats (max of 500 words)
  • Short Essay 4: Contributions to U.S. Communities and Follow-on Service Project Proposal (max of 500 words) 

You will also need to select a Financial Aid Advisor and Study Abroad Advisor when submitting your application. You can select anyone from the Financial Aid Advisor dropdown. The SFA team will reassign their applicants accordingly. Select your Study Abroad Advisor based on the region you are studying abroad in. Our Contact Us page lists our regions. If you make a mistake, we will internally reassign our applicants, no worries. All Advisors are aware of the certification deadline. Please respectfully disregard automated messages by the Gilman team. We assure you that your application will be certified by the deadline.

Gilman Scholarship Information Sessions

UF Study Abroad Services holds semesterly info sessions about the Gilman, which will be promoted on our semesterly event calendar (Getting Stared page) and social media Instagram: @ufstudyabroad) when approaching. These sessions outline the program’s mission, application process, and submission requirements. Former UF recipients also often attend to present on their own experiences applying for and studying abroad with the Gilman.

Gilman Essay Tips & Resources

If you are in the process of applying for the Gilman Scholarship, below are several resources that we encourage you to take advantage of in writing and editing your essays:

Follow-On Service Project Ideas

The Follow-On Service Project essay of the Gilman Scholarship application is often a challenge for students. Your project idea should be both tangible and creative, and promote both the Gilman in particular and study abroad in general. Below are a few projects that students have completed in the past and that you may choose to use, or incorporate in some way. It is important to note, however, that these essays are always best when ideas are original and you can make personal connections to the project, its outcomes, and its intended audience.

  • Promote the Gilman Scholarship at our Study Abroad Fairs
  • Present about your experience applying for the Gilman and studying abroad at our Gilman Scholarship Information Sessions
  • Help review Gilman essay drafts at our Scholarship Writing Workshops
  • Join our team of Study Abroad Peer Advisors to promote study abroad and the Gilman Scholarship to your peers
  • Give a presentation to an organization you’re involved with at UF or in the local community
  • Create a blog or social media account for your time abroad, regularly posting content geared toward other students
  • Write an article about your experiences abroad, including how you got the Gilman, and submit it to The Independent Florida Alligator or another media outlet

UF Writing Studio

We strongly encourage you to visit the UF Writing Studio, which offers one-on-one appointments to review and edit your essays. Please note that these appointments are intended to help you better structure your essays and address all points of a prompt, not merely to detect spelling or grammatical errors. Online tutoring is also available. For more information, please see the UF Writing Studio’s website, visit them in 2215 Turlington Hall, or contact them at 352-846-1138.

Scholarship Writing Workshops

UF Study Abroad Services also hosts semesterly Scholarship Writing Workshops, during which UFIC staff and Study Abroad Peer Advisors, are available to review your essays and provide advice. These workshops will be displayed on our semesterly event calendar (Getting Stared page) and our social media (Instagram: @ufstudyabroad) when approaching. We ask that you come prepared to these workshops with either a physical or digital copy of one or more essays.