Eight Aggies Earn Gilman International Scholarships, Setting New USU Record

The U.S. Department of State recently awarded eight Utah State University students with the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship to study abroad, the highest number of USU Gilman recipients in an award cycle to date. This record number includes awards of a collective $33,000 in Gilman scholarship funds received by Aggies to study abroad in Spain, Nepal, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Thailand, South Korea, and France.

The Gilman International Scholarship Program broadens the student population that studies and interns abroad by supporting undergraduates who might not otherwise participate due to financial constraints. To be eligible for the Gilman Program, applicants must receive 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. The scholarship award must be used to defray study or intern abroad costs, including program tuition, room and board, books, local transportation, insurance, international airfare, passport, and visa fees. The program aims to encourage students to study and intern in a diverse array of countries or areas and world regions.

One USU Gilman recipient, Virginia Hernandez, a Spanish Language major, was able to use her scholarship to fund her immersive Spanish Language program this summer.

“The scholarship (has helped) me with my financial expenses and for my semester summer tuition,” Hernandez said. “In regard to my study abroad goals ... this (gave) me a broader view of the country, culture, traditions and an (opportunity to) meet new people.”

“The passion for study abroad was evident throughout the application process for all these recipients,” said USU Study Abroad Advisor Kristen Casserilla. “We are thrilled to have them represent the U.S. and USU abroad.”

The Gilman scholarship application is now open for in-person programs or internships that start between Dec. 1, 2022, to Oct. 31, 2023. The application deadline is Thursday, Oct. 6, 2022. The next cycle will open in mid-January 2023 for applicants whose in-person programs or internships start between May 1, 2023, to April 30, 2024.

Awards of up to $5,000 (or up to $8,000 if students study a critical need language) are available for programs abroad. The Study Abroad team in the Office of Global Engagement will host Gilman essay workshops throughout September to assist applicants with essay editing. To register for a Gilman Workshop, follow this link. More information is available at studyabroad.usu.edu or by contacting studyabroad@usu.edu.