Curious about financial aid for study abroad?

The Gilman Scholarship provides financial aid to students who may not otherwise study abroad due to high financial need. Due to visa limitations, most students cannot be employed abroad. Applications are open to any student who receives a federal Pell Grant. You can see if you have a Pell Grant by checking your financial aid letter in Student Self Service.

Since 2019, 23 Champlain students have received this scholarship, gaining an average of $3,500 for their time abroad. The scholarship usually awards between $3,000 and $5,000 to eligible students nationwide. Gilman recipients are also offered access to the rich Gilman Scholar Network, where alumni can connect with other recipients and find unique job opportunities. To apply, you must write three short essays. You can find more detailed information about the Gilman Scholarship here.

Essays

Your essays should be written in 12-pt Times New Roman with single spacing and 1-inch margins.

Statement of Purpose Essay (less than two pages)

This essay must answer all of the following questions in less than 7,000 characters (not words!) including spaces.

Questions to write about:

How will studying or interning abroad help you achieve your future academic or professional goals?
Why did you select your specific program and host country?
How are you academically prepared to be a successful scholar abroad? If you have faced significant academic difficulties, tell us about those and how you are overcoming them.
What examples of knowledge, skills, and experiences will you draw on to meet the challenges of going abroad?

Questions to proofread your essay:

Do you make a connection between your program and goals?
Do you make a connection between your country and your goals?
Do you share how you will be academically successful in your program?
Do you give examples of your experiences, skills, and knowledge that you will use to meet program challenges?
Do you address how this abroad experience will impact your future?

Building Mutual Understanding Essay (less than one page)

This essay must answer all of the following questions in less than 3,000 characters (not words!) including spaces.

Questions to write about:

As a U.S. citizen, how will you represent and share what it means to be an American during your program?
How will you seek opportunities to become more culturally engaged and have meaningful interactions with people and cultures different from your own during your abroad program?

Questions to proofread your essay:

Do you articulate how you will represent the United States as a citizen diplomat while abroad?
Do you explain how you will contribute to the goal of building mutual understanding?
Do you discuss how you will look for opportunities to build meaningful relationships and become more culturally engaged?

Follow-on Service Project (about half a page)

This essay must answer all of the following questions in less than 2,000 characters (not words!) including spaces.

Describe your project in more detail by answering these questions in no particular order:

What is your project and how will it increase awareness of study abroad and the Gilman Program among your peers in your home or campus community?
Identify and explain why you chose the specific community you will be reaching. How will you integrate the impact of your experience abroad into your project?
With which campus departments, student organizations, or community organizations will you collaborate?

Questions to proofread your essay:

Does your Follow-on Service Proposal increase awareness of the Gilman Scholarship and study abroad?
Is your project feasible?
Do you give a detailed plan for your project?
Do you include your study abroad experience into your project?
Do you have an intended audience? Who will you collaborate with to reach this community?

General Writing Tips

• Give as many details as possible about the program you are planning to do.
• Stress professional and future goals.
• Pick a plan and stick with it – don’t worry that it might change.
• Make sure to reference the questions you should be answering.
• Have your essays proofread by someone in the Writing Center to ensure proper spelling, punctuation, and grammar.
• Attend the Study Abroad office’s workshops scheduled here.

Due Dates

There are two application cycles for the Gilman Scholarship per academic year. The October deadline is for students going abroad between December and the October of the following year. All applicants will be notified of their status via email in December. If your application is not accepted, you are welcome to apply during the next cycle. The March deadline is for students going abroad between May and the next April, so there is some overlap between the two application cycles. The October application opens in August and the March application opens in January. Good luck!