Hey Longhorns! My name is Daniell Martinez, and I’m a recent graduate of The University of Texas at Austin. I had the incredible opportunity to study abroad in Botswana for six weeks during the summer of 2024.
I received funding through the Gilman Scholarship, but I was surprised that this scholarship gave me more than I expected! The Gilman Scholarship is truly an incredible resource for undergraduate students at UT who want to study abroad.
Here’s an overview of everything you need to get started with the Gilman Scholarship:
What is the Gilman Scholarship, and what makes you eligible for it?
The Gilman Scholarship is federally funded and offered to undergraduate students who receive a Pell Grant as part of their financial aid package. Students must also be citizens or nationals of the United States and in the process of applying to a study abroad program.
This program also requires students to complete a follow-up project within six months of their return to the United States to promote the scholarship. I strongly advise browsing the scholarship’s eligibility requirements to ensure that you meet them.
Are there deadlines for the Gilman Scholarship?
Yes. You must keep track of the deadlines for this scholarship because each deadline will have specific program dates that you must follow.
For example, the upcoming deadline is March 6, 2025, which encompasses applications for study abroad programs or internships that start between May 1, 2025, to April 30, 2026.
This cycle includes Maymester 2025, Summer 2025, Fall 2025, Academic Year 2025-2026 and Spring 2026 study abroad programs or internships.
What makes Gilman different from other scholarships?
The Gilman Scholarship offers up to $5,000 in awards and provides extensive alumni resources, including various webinars and networking opportunities such as the U.S. Future Leaders Career Advancement Symposium.
In addition, certain university graduate schools discount tuition rates for Gilman alumni. Alumni also receive a non-competitive eligibility hiring status with the federal government for 12 months.
The Gilman Scholarship has given me incredible opportunities to study abroad in Botswana and further my professional aspirations. If you meet the requirements for the Gilman Scholarship, I encourage you to apply before the next deadline on March 6.
Daniell Martinez 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