The UF International Center (UFIC) is proud to announce that 30 students have been awarded the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship during the March 2025 application cycle—the highest number of recipients UF has ever had, and a testament to UF’s growing global engagement.
The Gilman Scholarship is a nationally competitive, merit-based scholarship from the U.S. Department of State that supports students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad.
With 115 applicants, this cycle also marks UF’s largest applicant pool to date. A total of $92,500 was awarded to UF students, with the majority receiving the standard $3,000 award. One standout recipient received $6,000 through the program’s highly competitive Critical Need Language Award to study Portuguese in Brazil.
"This application round reflects both the strength of our students and UF’s continuing commitment to international experiences for all," said UFIC’s Dean Marta L. Wayne. "It is also a testament to the dedicated work of UFIC staff members Emma Frierson and Maria Saley, who led Scholarship Writing Workshops for prospective applicants, as well as our partners in Student Financial Aid and Scholarships, who are raising awareness of this program. We are all delighted to celebrate our students’ success."
The momentum has been building steadily over recent years. The increasing award totals underscore UF’s commitment to preparing students for global citizenship.
One of UF’s recent Gilman recipients, Brunella Fernandez De Cordova, who was featured on the UF Study Abroad Instagram earlier this year, shared how the award transformed her academic journey. “Studying abroad changed my perspective—not just on the world, but on my place in it,” she said. “The Gilman Scholarship made that possible.”
The Gilman Program broadens the student population that studies and interns abroad by supporting undergraduates who might not otherwise have the opportunity due to financial constraints. Students interested in applying are encouraged to contact the UF International Center for guidance on future cycles.
About the Gilman Scholarship
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and administered by the Institute of International Education. The program aims to expand opportunities for students to study abroad, as well as to expand the range of countries and regions they go.
To learn more, please visit https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/
To learn more about UF Study Abroad, visit: https://internationalcenter.ufl.edu/study-abroad