For many students, the chance to study abroad seems like a grand opportunity that is financially out of reach. With a little digging into scholarship opportunities and a bit of extra grit, you may find the opportunity much more reachable. Students who receive a Federal Pell Grant may be eligible for the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship worth up to $5,000 or up to a maximum of $8,000 if the student will be studying in a country that predominantly speaks a “critical need” language.
To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must:
- Be a citizen of the U.S.
- Be in good academic standing with the institution they attend
- Receive a Federal Pell Grant
- Be in the process of applying for or already be accepted into a study abroad program (of at least two weeks duration for community college students and at least three weeks for four-year college goers)
- Be pursuing a program that takes place in a country that is not under a travel warning.
This fall, Portland State is hosting numerous Education Abroad Fairs—the first step to achieving the dream of studying overseas. PSU offers more than 200 programs in over 80 countries. Attending an Ed Abroad Fair will help you decide which program is right for you, how you can earn credits toward your major, complete your capstone, participate in an international internship, and apply for scholarships.
After attending an Ed Abroad session, it would be wise to set up an appointment with an education abroad advisor and talk about the application process for both the program you wish to enter and the Gilman Scholarship. Your advisor will have to complete sections on your scholarship application in order for you to submit it.
Applications are now open for early submissions. All other submissions have to be in by March 6, 2018. The deadline for advisor component submissions is March 13.