Four Tips for Applying to the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship

Studying abroad can be expensive – additionally, the pricing and lack of knowledge of where to look to and apply for scholarship deters low-income students of color from pursuing some of the most life-changing experiences. While scholarships are hard to find and receive, they are not impossible. Every single time I’ve tried to study abroad, I first went on an extensive scholarship search and have been blessed to win some, not all of them. I’m here to tell you that there are scholarships available, and I will be using my blog as a resource to bridge this gap between study abroad and its accessibility to students who, like me, didn’t have the resources to even consider these opportunities. I’ll be highlighting different scholarship opportunities, outlining the application processes, and providing myself as a resource to edit application essays if needed. Please feel free to message me on Instagram or through my blog if you have any further questions, comments, or concerns about applying.

First, we’ll start with The Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship which I was a recipient of!

The Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship is a grant program that allows students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, thereby gaining skills critical to America’s national security and economic competitiveness (iie.org). The scholarship is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are receiving the Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in and study and intern abroad programs worldwide (iie.org).

First and foremost, here are the components of the application:

1. Statement of Purpose and Community Impact Essays:

   1. Statement of Purpose - Who are you and how do your identities align with your reason for deciding to study abroad?

   2. Community Impact - How will you give back by inspiring others to pursue their own experiences abroad?

2. Transcripts: Unofficial and official both accepted

3. Advisor Certification: All applications require certification from study abroad and financial aid advisors from your currently enrolled institution.

Please note that there are two different deadlines for the application: Thursday, October 5, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time and March 2024 (will open mid-January).

• October - Open for people whose in-person programs or internships start between December 1, 2023, to October 31, 2021. The cycle encompasses winter or January term 2024, spring 2023, maymester 2024, summer 2024, fall 2024, and academic year 2024 - 2025 programs.

Here are some tips I would recommend to those looking to apply to the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship:

1) Align Your Theme With Your Country & Reason for Travel

The main thing The Gilman Scholarship admissions officers look for is a story - a reason and a purpose which ties along with your reason for studying abroad. For example, I was choosing to study abroad in Paris, France because I was interested in researching the West African communities in the city, and conducting interviews to learn about how their understanding of their identity ties in with France’s concept of universalism. While Paris is a typical study-abroad location, my project dug deeper into the country and provided a framework for cultural immersion that goes beyond visiting the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre. All in all, try and dig deep -- what issues or interesting themes do you want to solve in your study-abroad location?

2) Create a Follow - on Service Project With A Lasting Impact

A major component of the Gilman Scholarship is the follow-up service project which is designed to promote The Gilman Scholarship. When writing about your project, you want to make sure that you frame your study abroad experience in a way that you receiving the scholarship is not only about you but also about those who come after you. What contributions would you like to leave to society through your project? How will it help upcoming study abroad students or scholarship recipients immerse globally? What impact will you leave in The United State and your host country through your project?

3) Own Your Story; Be Vulnerable

Vulnerability can differ based on each person but opening up and talking about yourself beyond the surface is important for the admissions officers to get a small glimpse into your life story. Why should they choose you for the scholarship as opposed to other applicants? Don’t feel forced to provide a sob, trauma-related story to get the scholarship but if something significant happened in your life you’d like to discuss and believe it relates to the reason you are choosing to study abroad, feel free to highlight it!

4) Connect Your Past, Present, and Future Throughout the Application

Scholarship applications love connecting stories - what in your past led you to apply to the scholarship? What are you looking for in your present? What do you hope to accomplish in the future and how will this specific scholarship and study abroad opportunity help you get there? Think about these questions while writing and try to tie them together throughout the entire application to provide a holistic picture regarding your application and your purpose for applying to the scholarship.

All in all, good luck if you’ve decided to apply for The Gilman Scholarship this upcoming cycle! Again, feel free to reach out to me with any further questions, comments, or concerns.