Eligibility
This scholarship provides over 3,000 awards of up to $5,000 (plus an additional $3,000 supplement for critical languages and $1,000 for STEM-related research abroad) for U.S. citizen undergraduate students to study abroad for any length of time in another country. This is a need-based award; to be eligible, students currently must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant.
What They’re Looking For
The Gilman Scholarship selects students based on 1) the impact of the program and destination on the student’s academic and career trajectory, 2) their representing America abroad and hometown impact, and 3) their preparedness for the program abroad.
Informational Events:
Thursday, August 27, 2026 from 3:30pm – 4:30pm: Informational session in 1090 Lincoln Hall.
Friday, August 28, 2026 from 9:00am – 10:00am: ONLINE Gilman Information Session. Register Here.
Friday, August 28, 2026 from 3:00pm – 4:00pm: Workshop on how to craft your application essays in 514 IUB.
Informal Review
If you are interested in obtaining feedback on your Gilman essays, please send drafts of your essays as an email attachment to topscholars@illinois.edu, along with a few times you are available to meet 2-3 days later to receive our feedback. We are willing to work with students through numerous revisions.
Final Submittal Deadline
October 1, 2026 for any study abroad beginning between December 2026 and October 2027.
The applicant is responsible for submitting his or her application online. Components include:
- Biographical data (not shared with reviewers)
- Four Short Essays:
- Motivation for Studying or Interning Abroad (500 words)
- Knowledge and Skill Development through Study or Interning Abroad (500 words)
- Gilman Scholars as Citizen Diplomats (500 words)
- Follow-on Service Project (500 words)
- Optional Essays
- Critical Language Motivation and Plans (300 words)
- STEM-related Coursework Abroad and Relation to Career Goals (300 words)
- Grade Reports including all College Courses
- Online Certifications from:
- Study Abroad Advisor (the study abroad person you are working with)
- Financial Aid Advisor (make sure to provide the Financial Aid Office with a signed Scholarhip Release of Information Form)
The Final Stages
All candidates are notified of results via email in December.
Gilman Scholarship Website & Application
Visit our Canvas page for additional tips and samples of winning applications.
For official information on the Gilman Scholarship (which supersedes any information provided here) and access to the online application, please visit the Gilman Scholarship website.