The John S. McCain International Scholarship for Military Families (Gilman-McCain Scholarship) is a congressionally funded initiative of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State and named after the late senator John S. McCain from Arizona.The John S. McCain International Scholarship for Military Families (Gilman-McCain Scholarship) provides awards of $5,000 for child and spousal dependents of active or activated United States military personnel during the time of application (including Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, Army, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy, Navy Reserve, Space Force, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and USPHS Commissioned Corps) to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs. Applicants must be recipients of any type of Title IV federal financial aid during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving Title IV federal financial aid during their study abroad program or internship.
Eligibility
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. To be eligible for a Gilman Scholarship, an applicant must be:
- A citizen or national of the United States.
- An undergraduate student in good standing at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States (including both two-year and four-year institutions).
- Receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving a Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program or internship.
- In the process of applying to, or accepted to, a credit-bearing study abroad or internship program. Proof of program acceptance is required prior to award disbursement.
- Applying for credit-bearing study abroad programs in a country or location with an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2, according to the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Advisory System. It is important to note that certain areas within a country or location that has an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2 may be designated within the Travel Advisory as either Level 3 or Level 4; Gilman Scholars will not be allowed to travel to these specific areas. Gilman Scholars are unable to participate in programs located in a country or location — or an area within a country or location — that is designated as either a Level 3 (“Reconsider travel to”) or Level 4 (“Do not travel to”).
Application process
Step 1: Submit application by student deadline.
The following are critical components of the application:
- Statement of Purpose and Community Impact Essays
- Transcripts
Step 2: Both Study Abroad and Financial Aid Certifying Advisors must certify your application by the advisor deadline.
- It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that both advisors have certified their application by the advisor deadline.
- Applications without certifications will not be considered.
- If an advisor is not listed within the online application, reach out to the appropriate advisor(s) at your institution and ask them to register as a Gilman Advisor prior to the application deadline. Once they are registered you will be able to select your institution and advisors in your application.
Application deadline
October 2023 deadline; 5th October.
March 2024 deadline; 7th March
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