Gilman-McCain Scholarship USA
The U.S. Department of State’s Gilman-McCain Scholarship awards $5,000 to undergraduate dependents (children and spouses) of active or activated U.S. military personnel. This includes members of the Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, Army, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy, Navy Reserve, Space Force, NOAA Commissioned Corps and USPHS Commissioned Corps.
The scholarship supports credit-bearing study or internship programs abroad.
Created under the State Department’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, the John S. McCain International Scholarship for Military Families (Gilman-McCain Scholarship) is available to eligible students enrolled at accredited U.S. colleges and universities who receive any type of Title IV federal financial aid.
This congressionally funded initiative, managed by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State and named after the late Senator John S. McCain from Arizona, honors the Senator’s legacy of public service by enabling children and spouses of active or activated U.S. military personnel to develop leadership and career readiness skills, along with a global perspective, helping recipients pursue careers of service and contribute to upholding the principles and alliances essential to an international order based on the rule of law, human rights and democracy.
Degree Level for Gilman-McCain Scholarship
The Gilman-McCain Scholarship 2024/2025 in the USA is available for undergraduate programs at U.S. universities.
Available Subjects for Gilman-McCain Scholarship
The scholarship program covers all subjects.
Benefits of the Gilman-McCain Scholarship
The Gilman-McCain Scholarship offers a $5,000 award to help cover the financial expenses of undergraduate dependents of active military personnel who are enrolled in credit-bearing programs abroad. This can include both traditional study abroad programs and international internships.
Eligibility Criteria for Gilman-McCain Scholarship
To qualify for a Gilman-McCain Scholarship, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen or national.
- Be an undergraduate student at a recognized U.S. college or university (both two-year and four-year schools count).
- Be a child or spouse of an active-duty U.S. military member (including Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Navy and their reserve and National Guard components, as well as Space Force, NOAA Commissioned Corps and USPHS Commissioned Corps).
- Be receiving any kind of federal financial aid (Title IV) at the time of application or have proof you’ll receive it during your study abroad program.
- Be applying to or already accepted into a program for credit-bearing study or internship abroad. You’ll need to show proof of acceptance before getting the scholarship money.
- Be applying to a program in a country considered safe for travel by the U.S. Department of State (Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2). Be aware that even within a safe country, there might be specific areas with warnings (Level 3 or 4). Gilman-McCain scholars cannot go to these restricted areas. You can’t participate in programs in countries or regions with a “Reconsider travel” (Level 3) or “Do not travel” (Level 4) advisory.
The U.S. Department of State can ask you to change your program to a different country or area if they think it’s necessary during any part of the application, selection or program itself. Getting the scholarship ultimately depends on having enough funds and the safety of the program location. The program might even be suspended while it’s happening if the U.S. embassy thinks it’s necessary.
Application Procedure for Gilman-McCain Scholarship
Submit your application through the link provided below.
Application Deadlines
There are two application periods:
- Going abroad between September 2024 and April 2025? Apply by August 1st, 2024 (don’t forget your advisor needs to confirm your application by August 8th).
- Planning to go abroad between December 2024 and October 2025? Applications open in mid-August 2024. The deadline to apply will be October 10th, 2024 (your advisor needs to confirm by October 18th).
Important! Deadlines are in Pacific Time (PT) so adjust for your time zone. They’ll let you know about awards in December 2024.
FAQ
1. Who is eligible for the Gilman-McCain Scholarship?
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be a U.S. citizen or national.
- Must be an undergraduate student at a recognized U.S. college or university.
- Must be a child or spouse of an active-duty U.S. military member.
- Must be receiving federal financial aid (Title IV) at the time of application or during the study abroad program.
- Must be accepted into a credit-bearing study or internship abroad program.
- Must apply to a program in a country deemed safe by the U.S. Department of State.
2. What does the scholarship cover?
The scholarship offers a $5,000 award to help cover the financial expenses associated with credit-bearing study or internship programs abroad.
3. What types of programs are eligible?
Eligible programs include any credit-bearing study abroad or international internship programs.
4. Can I apply if I am planning to study in a country with a Travel Advisory Level 3 or 4?
No, the program must be in a country with a Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2. Programs in countries or regions with Level 3 or 4 advisories are not eligible.
5. How do I apply for the scholarship?
You must submit your application online through the provided link. Ensure all required documents are uploaded and your advisor confirms your application by the specified deadline.
6. What are the application deadlines?
- For programs starting between September 2024 and April 2025: Apply by August 1, 2024 (advisor confirmation by August 8, 2024).
- For programs starting between December 2024 and October 2025: Apply by October 10, 2024 (advisor confirmation by October 18, 2024).
7. When will I know if I have been awarded the scholarship?
You will be notified about the scholarship awards in December 2024.
8. Can I apply if I am attending a two-year college?
Yes, students from both two-year and four-year colleges and universities are eligible to apply.
9. What happens if my program’s country becomes unsafe?
If the U.S. Department of State changes the travel advisory for your program’s country to Level 3 or 4, you may be required to change your program location. The scholarship can be suspended if the U.S. embassy deems it necessary for safety reasons.
10. Do I need to have my program acceptance before applying for the scholarship?
Yes, you need to have proof of acceptance into a credit-bearing study or internship abroad program to receive the scholarship funds. However, you can apply for the scholarship before receiving your acceptance, as long as you provide proof before the funds are disbursed.