What is the Gilman?

    This scholarship was established by U.S. Congressman Benjamin A. Gilman for the purpose of evening out the playing field for study abroad hopefuls. It caters to any students who are typically underrepresented abroad. Additionally, it aides students who are interested in going to a country that is off the beaten track.  The program, funded by the U.S. Bureau of Education, is nationally competitive, so it takes a bit of work to apply and be accepted.  The scholarship committee pays special attention to students with:

  • high financial need
  • diverse ethnic background
  • non-traditional study abroad venues (i.e. outside Western Europe, Australia, & New Zealand)
  • attending community college
  • students in fields underrepresented abroad (such as the sciences)
  • students with disabilities

    I suspect that I got my scholarship largely due to my major;  science majors don't seem to go abroad that often.  So, while not officially on the site, students with majors uncommon abroad probably have a good shot at receiving the scholarship as well.   

    In return for giving students money to help defray the costs of going abroad, students are required to give back to the Gilman by completing a follow-on project upon returning, which may encompass a variety of subjects. Part of my follow-on project was to create and manage this website, as well as to present on my experience in Costa Rica through the NMU Biology Department and NMU Study Abroad Office. Past recipients have also presented within their communities at schools and libraries, or set up a pen-pal system while abroad to classes back in the States.  The options are limitless, and the Gilman committee is always open to new and creative ideas to promote their scholarship and to promote going abroad.  Keep in mind that the intent of the project is to get word out about the Gilman and to encourage global awareness. 

    

Eligibility

    Considering the amount of money the program gives out, the Gilman has relatively few requirements.  Scholarship hopefuls must meet the following criteria:

  • U.S. citizen in good academic standing 
  • Pell Grant recipient at time of application or during time abroad - this is probably the biggest requirement, and the one that people forget about the most. The idea of the program is to give a further hand up to people in financial need; and the committee assumes that anyone not receiving a Pell Grant is in decent financial shape        
  • Currently accepted to or in the process of applying to a study abroad program eligible for credit by the student's home institution -- it's okay to apply for the scholarship before receiving word of acceptance into the study abroad program.  I applied while I was in the process of applying for my semester abroad, and everything worked out.  The committee just asks that they be informed immediately after the student receives word of acceptance from their study program.
  • The study program duration is at least 4 weeks in one country -- most people that apply are applying for semesters or for full years, so this is rarely an issue for most students
  • Study Abroad program can be in any country but Cuba or another country on the State Department's current travel list. However, I do know of an NMU student who went to Cuba to teach in Spring 2007, so there are loopholes within the rulebook. Just communicate with the committee; I've emailed them multiple times about little things and they have always been very helpful and supportive.  
  • The study program can not take place during the summer.  This may be due to the shorter summer term lengths. A summer abroad might not be adequate exposure to different cultures, or people may be less willing to put in effort during the summer "break".  The Gilman only accepts students applying to study during the fall, spring, or academic year.

Award Amounts

    The Gilman will give out up to $5,000 to students to use for any costs associated with the study program.  I used my money to pay for my plane ticket and for my tuition, but it can also be used for books and other fees incurred on the program.  If anyone is interested in studying the following languages and their associated dialects, the Gilman gives out Critical Need Language Supplements of up to $3,000, giving a total possible award value of $8,000.  The student must be interested in going to the Middle East, Africa, or another country off the beaten path with these languages; it would not work to go to England and take a course in Arabic.  

  • Arabic                     
  • Chinese                         
  • Turkic                              
  • Persian
  • Indic
  • Korean
  • Russian 

How to Apply

  • Submit the online application by the designated deadline.  Before turning in the application, talk with advisers from the study abroad and financial programs as well as local Gilman advisors.  These people are great resources and can help in putting together a solid personal statement and in brainstorming ideas for the follow-on project.

           People to know at NMU:   

            Susan Morgan, Study Abroad Advisor, Gilman  Advising/Certification                          

                    phone: 227-2510                             email: smorgan@nmu.edu   

            Candice Ingalls, Financial Aid Advisor for Study Abroad Students                                                                                 

                    phone: 227-1559                         email: cingalls@nmu.edu   

            Robert Goodrich, Honors Program Head, Gilman Advisor   

                    phone: 227- 2037                        email: rgoodric@nmu.edu

  • Finally, 3 copies of official transcripts need to be sent in to the Gilman office. These can be ordered by going into Student Services and filling out the official transcript request form.  They cost $4 apiece.


Deadlines

    If planning on studying during the fall semester or for a full academic year, applications need to be turned in during the month of April.  For winter hopefuls, the application is due in September.  The Gilman posts the specific due dates on their website, and it changes from year to year.   When I applied, I turned in my application to study two days before the deadline, and I still was able to receive a scholarship.  Turning in a solid application with a strong personal statement and a creative follow-on statement close to the deadline is preferable to turning in a hastily thrown-together application weeks before the deadline.  

 

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