Scholarships Available for Military Dependants to Study Abroad

The U.S. Department of State's Gilman-McCain Scholarship provides awards of $5,000 for undergraduate child dependents of active-duty service members to study abroad or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs.

The Gilman-McCain Scholarship is a congressionally funded initiative of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State and named after the late senator John S. McCain. With the support of the U.S. Congress, this scholarship honors the Senator's legacy of public service by enabling undergraduate children of active-duty military to develop the leadership and career readiness skills and global perspective to pursue careers of service and contribute to preserving the principles and alliances that are critical to an international order based on the rule of law, human rights, and democracy.

Eligibility requirements are straightforward. Applicants must be: 

• a citizen of the United States.

• an undergraduate student in good standing at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States. 

• a dependent child of an active-duty military member(s) during the time of application in one of the following branches: Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Coast Guard, including activated (currently on active duty) Reserve Forces, Air National Guard, and Army National Guard.  

• a recipient of any type of Title IV federal financial aid during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving Title IV federal financial aid during their study abroad program or internship. 

In addition, applicants must meet specific program requirements: 

• Applicants must apply to a study abroad, intern abroad, or a virtual international program at least 21 days in length.  

• The program location has a Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2, according to the U.S. Department of State's Travel Advisory System. 

The Office of Study Abroad is hosting events every Monday through Thursday in February to help students learn about the Gilman McCain scholarship. Join at noon any Monday or Tuesday for a general info session, drop-by Wednesdays from 1-4:30 p.m. for one-on-one application advising, or at noon on Thursdays for a group application workshop.

Join any of these sessions.

The next Gilman-McCain Scholarship deadline is 11:59 p.m. PT (1:59 a.m. CT), for in-person and virtual study abroad programs that start between May 1, 2021, to April 30, 2022. A team of study abroad advisors is ready to support your Gilman-McCain Scholarship application. Join the February events to discuss international program options, review your application essays, and to learn more about funding opportunities.