Gilman Workshops

Students who receive the Pell Grant are highly encouraged to apply for the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship. Award amounts range from $2,000 to $8,000 on average. While this national scholarship is competitive, we have UNC Charlotte students receive it almost every semester!

About the Gilman

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 prosperity. The Institute of International Education has administered the program since its inception in 2001. UNC Charlotte Education Abroad does not administer or award this scholarship.

Learn More About the Gilman Scholarship

Eligibility

To apply for the Gilman, applicants must be undergraduate students who are U.S. citizens in good academic and disciplinary standing. Applicants must be a recipient of the Federal Pell Grant (or will be at time of program abroad). Applicants must also be approved by UNC Charlotte Education Abroad (EA) at UNC Charlotte.

See the Gilman Eligibility Requirements

Application process

It is highly recommended that students begin working on their Gilman Scholarship application as soon as the cycle opens up in order to have time to write well thought-out essays. Students will need to have started the study abroad process with EA in addition to submitting the Gilman application.

Step by Step Gilman Scholarship Application Instructions
Step 1Apply to Study Abroad
Begin the study abroad application process with UNC Charlotte Education Abroad (separate from the Gilman scholarship application process). Students do not need to be officially approved by EA to begin or submit their Gilman application. If students are applying for a future term that is not yet accepting applications, students should schedule an appointment with a study abroad advisor to discuss their study abroad plans. An EA Advisor cannot certify an student without an application OR an advising appointment discussing future study abroad plans.
Step 2Apply for the Gilman Scholarship
Students will create an account in Gilman’s application portal to begin their Gilman application, which requires two essays and a transcript.
Step 3Submit Gilman Application
Submit the Gilman application by the applicable deadline. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
Step 4Certifications
Once the student submits their Gilman application, a staff member in EA will certify that the details of the program outlined in the application are correct. This is not a personal endorsement.

A staff member in Financial Aid will certify that the applicant is or will be a pell grant recipient.
Step 6Review
The Gilman scholarship committee reviews applications. Students are notified of the decision typically 2 months prior to departure.

Gilman workshop

Each semester prior to the student Gilman application deadline, UNC Charlotte Education Abroad holds several workshops designed to give students an overview of the Gilman scholarship application process and provide tips on how to have the most competitive application possible. Attendance at these workshops is not mandatory, but highly recommended.

Gilman Workshop 1

Virtual Presentation

Wednesday, September 11th 2024

3:30 PM – 4:45 PM on Zoom (link)

Optional RSVP here.

In Person Workshop

Tuesday, September 17th 2024

9 AM – 12 PM in CHHS 128

Please RSVP here.

Gilman Workshop 2

Virtual Presentation

Wednesday, February 5th 2025

3:30 PM – 4:45 PM on Zoom

RSVP Link TBA

In Person Workshop

Tuesday, February 11th 2025

9 AM – 12 PM in CHHS 128

RSVP Link TBA

Gilman Essay Review

EA staff are happy to review a draft of students’ essays. Students can email their essay(s) to edabroad@charlotte.edu.

Affiliate Provider Matching Grants

Affiliate providers are third party organizations that facilitate study and intern abroad programs all over the world. Many of EA’s approved affiliate providers have matching grants or scholarships for Gilman applicants and recipients. This means that students who apply for a study abroad program through one of the following providers could potentially maximize the amount of funding they may receive: