U.S. Government Scholarships for Study Abroad

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

The U.S. Department of State’s Gilman Scholarship is a grant program that enables U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad. The Gilman Scholarship Program broadens the student population who study and intern abroad by supporting undergraduates receiving Pell Grants who might not otherwise participate due to financial constraints.

Developed under the framework of the State Department’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, the John McCain International Scholarship for the Children of Military Families (Gilman-McCain Scholarship) is open to undergraduate child dependents of active duty service members to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs who receive any type of Title IV federal financial aid from accredited U.S. colleges and universities.

Students may receive up to $5,000, and are eligible for an additional $3,000 if pursuing a program in a critical need language, or $1,000 if conducting STEM-related coursework or internships.

For complete details, visit the Gilman Scholarship website and review these best practices.

There are two deadlines for the Gilman Scholarship, one in March and the other in October. The next deadline is Thursday, October 1, 2026.

Boren Awards

An initiative of the National Security Education Program, the Boren Awards allow U.S. undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity to study less commonly taught languages critical to national interests. Awards of up to $25,000 are available for one year of study. In exchange for funding, Boren Scholars and Fellows commit to working in the federal government for at least one year after graduation.

For complete details, visit the Boren Awards website.

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Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program 

The CLS Program is an intensive overseas language and cultural immersion program for U.S. citizen undergraduate and graduate students enrolled at U.S. colleges and universities. The program includes intensive language instruction and structured cultural enrichment experiences designed to promote rapid  gains in lesser-taught languages. The Critical Language Scholarship Program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State and implemented by American Councils for International Education.

For complete details, visit the CLS Program website. 

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