Record Number of U of A Students Receive Gilman Scholarships

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A record number of 15 University of Arkansas undergraduates have been selected to receive the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, for their study abroad programs during the spring and summer 2013 term.  This award allows undergraduate students with high financial need the opportunity to study or participate in an internship abroad, develop valuable career and language skills, and prepare themselves for the global economy while serving as citizen ambassadors in their host country. 

The students who received the Gilman Scholarships selected study abroad programs in Chile, China, Costa Rica, France, Italy, New Zealand, Spain, South Korea, Turkey and the UK for the spring or summer of 2013.  Gilman Scholars receive up to $5,000 to apply towards their study abroad program costs, and a limited number of students will also receive additional funding for language study through the Critical Need Language Awards, for a total award of $8,000.

One recipient, currently studying abroad on an exchange program in Spain, said, “As with any scholarship I earn, I feel very blessed and extremely honored to have received it. With the Gilman scholarship especially, though, I feel incredibly proud to have been chosen as a recipient. It means a great deal to me because knowing that I have received a national scholarship to do what I love – study and travel –reminds me that I do have remarkable opportunities to pursue my goals. I am reminded by the Gilman foundation that achieving my aspirations is possible, and I am reminded to never forget to give back to others on the way to reaching all those goals.” 

 “Receiving the Gilman scholarship really does mean everything to me,” said another recipient, who received the Gilman for his spring 2013 exchange program with South Korea. “When I transferred to the U of A, I had no intention of studying abroad at all because I mistakenly thought that I would never be able to afford it. After finding out about the Gilman scholarship and its generous awards, I finally saw the possibility of going abroad. With growing student loans, rent, and all the other costs of being a college student, I honestly would not have been able to consider this extraordinary opportunity at all without the Gilman award.”

Since the program’s inception in 2001, over 13,000 bright, well-deserving American students from 1,160 universities have received a Gilman Scholarship to study in more than 130 countries.

Applications for spring 2014 Gilman Scholarships will be available online in August 2013 and due October 1, 2013.  Undergraduates receiving a federal Pell grant who will be studying abroad or participating in an international internship for academic credit are encouraged to apply.  The Office of Study Abroad at the University of Arkansas is happy to help discuss this scholarship with any interested students, as well as advise those searching for the right study abroad opportunity to meet their personal and academic goals.