With the spring semester almost halfway through, it’s a good time to consider study abroad opportunities, especially with the upcoming Gilman scholarship deadline.
“The Gilman Scholarship is for US citizens who receive Pell Grants who are also doing a credit-bearing study abroad or internship,” National Fellowship Advisor Joshua Pope said. “The Gilman-McCain is similar, but is for study abroad students who are also dependents of active military.” There are a few additional requirements for each.
Financial assistance can total up to $5,000, with an additional $3,000 available for the study of a Critical Need Language, of which there are 16. Similarly, there is an additional $1,000 possible for applicants conducting STEM-related coursework or internships.
The Gilman scholarships have funded students’ travel in over 170 countries.
There are two cycles per year, with due dates in October and March, and the application window opens for approximately six weeks. The upcoming deadline is on Thursday, March 5. However, Pope explains that students can typically apply twice if they plan ahead. “For example, if a student is studying abroad in Summer 2027, they can apply in October 2026, but they can try again in March 2027 if they don’t get it the first time,” Pope said.
The application process is competitive, but as Pope assures, achievable. He recommends interested students work closely with him on their application. The application contains four essays, which are about a page in length. Two of them, Pope explains, are about the student skills, ones they already have, and ones they hope to get while abroad. The third essay consists of how the student will be a good representative of the US. The last asks the applicant to propose something that will promote study abroad after they return.
While Doane has only had four recipients since 2017, Pope explains that a combination of COVID and a lack of applicants is mainly to blame. “I’m sure there are more students who would receive a Gilman Scholarship if they applied,” Pope said.
The Gilman is not the only scholarship available to students. Anyone with 60 credits can get some level of travel scholarship from Doane that can be used for credit-bearing study abroad.
Additionally, study abroad providers often have financial aid opportunities as well. Questions can be directed to Josh Pope, joshua.pope@doane.edu, or to the Director of International Programs, Tim Burge, timothy.burge@doane.edu.
