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Scholarship Overview
The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a grant program that enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, thereby gaining skills critical to our national security and economic competitiveness.
The Gilman Scholarship Program is open to U.S. citizen undergraduate students who are receiving Federal Pell Grant funding at a two-year or four-year college or university to participate in study and intern abroad programs worldwide. Awards up to $5,000.
Past Awardees:
-Kimberly, Fall 2018: $4,000
-Lisa, Spring 2019: $2,500
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Eligibility
To be eligible for a Gilman Scholarship, an applicant must:
- Be a citizen of the United States
- Be an undergraduate student in good standing
- Be receiving a Federal Pell Grant or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship
- Be in the process of applying to, or accepted for, a study abroad or internship program of at least three weeks, in a single country and eligible for credit from UNCP. Proof of program acceptance is required prior to award disbursement.
- Students are eligible to apply for credit-bearing study abroad programs in a country with an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2, according to the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Advisory System. Certain areas within these countries may be designated within the Travel Advisory as either “Do not travel to” (Level 4) or “Reconsider travel to” (Level 3) locations, as such; students will not be allowed to travel to these areas. Students are not eligible to apply for programs in a country with an overall Level 3 or 4 Travel Advisory.
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Application Overview
Students will complete an online application in Gilman's Scholarship Portal. Note this application is separate from an application to study abroad.
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Gilman Global Experience
Mother of two. Caretaker of my disabled mother. Poor. Woman. Native American. Full time student. Work four jobs. Had to start life over again after a divorce. All of these are reasons that study abroad never seemed like it would ever be an option for me. One day while in class, I received an email about a study abroad 2 week trip to Berlin, Germany. There was an interest meeting so I showed up. The professor immediately sold me on the trip. I just had to go. So I applied for a scholarship, saved every dime I possibly could, and I went. Needless to say, besides having my boys, that was the best experience of my life. So I started pondering the thought of actually doing a whole semester abroad.
After consulting with my boys, I decided that I was going to go for it. But how could I afford this? This would be impossible for me to afford. However, after speaking with Mr. Brandt (who is awesome by the way) at The Office of Global Engagement, he mentioned that I should apply for the Gilman Scholarship. I was a little intimidated at first because I knew it was very competitive. However, my determination to study abroad outweighed my fear. I spent my free time working on the scholarship and meeting with my former professors to look over my essays. Honestly, I did not know if I had a shot but I gave it my best effort.
It was at my oldest son’s high school graduation that I got the email that I was a provisional recipient of the Gilman. I looked over at him waving at me with his cap and gown on and I began to cry tears of joy. I was proud of him. I was proud of myself. I knew at that moment that little old me, who had never had anything, would be studying in a place that I had always dreamed about. I also knew at that moment that dreams really do come true. Without the Gilman, this trip would not be possible for me. My goal is to share my culture with others and take what I learn abroad and share with my people. Thank you Gilman!
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Scholarship Overview
Boren Scholarships are an initiative of the National Security Education Program that focus on language, culture, and service immersion. They provide unique funding opportunities for U.S. students.
Boren Scholars represent individuals who wish to work in the Federal Government after successfully completing a language intensive program overseas. In exchange for funding, Boren Scholars commit to working in the Federal Government for at least one year after graduation. Awards up to $24,000!
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Eligibility
- Only U.S. citizens are eligible for the scholarship
- A undergraduate or graduate student at a U.S. institution
- Proposed Country of Study *Countries of Western Europe, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand are excluded*
- Interest in learning a critical language and commitment to federal employment after successful completion of the overseas language program
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Application Overview
Students will complete an online application in Boren Awards Scholarship Portal. (Note this application is separate from an application to study abroad.)
Critical Language Scholarship- Due Date: November 17, 2020 (8pm ET)
- The Critical Language Scholarship Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. Government. It is supported in its implementation by American Councils for International Education.
- Intensive summer language immersion program that awards about $8,000 for study abroad.
- Earn UNCP language credit overseas
“Hendersonville Student Ambassador” Travel Scholarship
- Created in November 2017, this scholarship is designed to provide assistance to local students, facilitate the exchange of ideas and culture globally, and to foster awareness and appreciation of international relations among Henderson County youth.
- Eligible students must be residents of Henderson County. Students who are currently attending college out-of-county or even out-of-state are still eligible if their primary residency is in Henderson County.
- Awards up to $3,000 to eligible high school, college, or graduate students between the ages of 16-26, for the purposes of education, internship, or work study.
- May be awarded for Spring, Summer, or Fall semester travel
- Open to students with residency in Henderson County who are in the process of applying to or have been accepted for a study abroad, internship, or work study program.
- The application deadline is March 1st. Finalists will be interviewed in March, and recipients will be notified in April.
Rotary International Global Grants & Scholarships
- Click on the above link, then contact your local Rotary to complete your nomination:
- Red Springs: 910-843-5849
- Lumberton: 910-739-2871
A variety of organizations and institutions provide scholarships and grants for study abroad. Many provide assistance that is targeted to specific student populations (underrepresented student groups; African Americans; Asian Americans; Latino/Latina Americans; Native Americans; students with disabilities; gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender students).
The following list is a sampling of websites with information and resources on multiple scholarships and grants. These websites provide a good starting point for research on the many study abroad scholarship opportunities available.
Note: This list is not exhaustive and is meant to provide a starting point for your research. No endorsement is intended or is to be inferred.
SITES WITH SEARCHABLE DATABASES
- SPIN: Search engine for faculty and staff to locate funding opportunities across all disciplines including federal state, and foundation sources
- Black Excel: One of the largest scholarship and resource databases for African American students
- College Board general scholarship search engine: Free online scholarship database
- Diversity Abroad Scholarships & Grants: Free database of scholarships that target minority, low-income and first-generation students
- FastWeb: Free online scholarship database
- IIEPassport Study Abroad Funding: Free online database of study abroad scholarships, fellowships, and grants
- Scholarships.com: Free college scholarship search and financial aid information resource
- Students.gov: U.S. government-sponsored scholarships and grants
- Selfscore.com: $5,000 scholarship for International Students only