Are you worried that you won’t be able to fund a study abroad experience? If you’re a Federal Pell Grant recipient, then this blog is precisely what you need for a better understanding of some resources that could help you finance studying abroad. The Gilman Scholarship is just one of the numerous scholarships that Texas Global offers to prospective study abroad students, except it is explicitly geared to Pell Grant recipients.
About the Gilman Scholarship
The Gilman Scholarship is a federal scholarship administered by the U.S. Department of State that offers up to $5,000 each in scholarship funds for nearly 3,000 Pell Grant recipient students who would otherwise have trouble funding study abroad programs.
The scholarship can cover any costs related to education abroad in an internship or credit-bearing program. Students from any discipline are encouraged to apply. Regardless of which program you are interested in, make sure to find out if the Gilman Scholarship can cover it!
Within Gilman, there is a specific emphasis on critical need language study. Students planning to study a critical need language can apply for a supplemental scholarship of up to $3,000. The languages assessed as having critical needs are listed on the website linked above. Additionally, there is a STEM Supplemental Award of $1,000 for students interested in studying in STEM-related fields.
Gilman scholars are only allowed to study abroad in countries listed as a level one or two on the U.S. Department of State travel advisory.
Eligibility Requirements
The specific eligibility requirements stipulate that each student applicant must:
- Be an undergraduate student at an accredited university in good academic standing.
- Be a U.S. citizen or national who is receiving a Federal Pell Grant at the time of application or who can provide proof that they will receive it during their time abroad.
- Adhere to the U.S. State Department’s restrictions on study abroad locations.
Application Information
For the application, students are required to submit the following:
- A statement of purpose.
- Two community impact essays as outlined on the Gilman website.
- Transcripts from UT Austin and any other institutions of higher education where credit has been attained.
- Essays for the Critical Need Language Award application (optional).
- STEM Supplemental Award essay for students applying to conduct STEM-related research abroad (if applicable).
At the time of submission, a study abroad program coordinator and financial aid advisor must certify your application.
Deadlines and Info Sessions
Make sure that you are submitting your application in time to be considered; the next application deadline for this year is 11:59 p.m., October 10.
The next information session about the Gilman Scholarship happens at 5 p.m. on September 17, and the next writing workshop to help you work on your application is noon-3 p.m. on Friday, October 4.
For additional questions, please reach out to educationabroad@austin.utexas.edu.
Nate Heffron is an Education Abroad Peer Mentor providing support to students interested in studying abroad. Learn about this position and its services on the Peer Mentors Program webpage.
Leave a Reply