University of California Receives $800,000 in Study Abroad Scholarship Contributions from U.S. State Department
DATE: 1/12/2012
In 2011-12, 215 Gilman Scholarships were awarded to UC Education Abroad Program participants, expanding the student aid pool for all UC students by over $800,000.
In 2010-11, UCEAP Gilman Scholars received $806,500—about 8.5% of the total amount of money distributed nationally by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. In the 2011-12 academic year, UC students overall comprised 10% of all awards distributed nationally by the Gilman Foundation, receiving $910,000.
“The success for UCEAP students results in a significant financial contribution to the University of California and is a testament to the quality of the UC education system as well as the students themselves,” said Jean-Xavier Guinard, Associate Vice Provost and Executive Director of the University of California Education Abroad Program.
The Gilman Scholarship program focuses on applicants who are Pell Grant recipients, studying abroad for at least four weeks in one country, considering programs in “non-traditional countries” and/or programs that promote nationally recognized critical languages. In recent years, the competition for Gilman Scholarships has substantially increased. Pell Grant qualification has been expanded to include the overall cost of attending an institution, increasing the applicant pool for Gilman Scholarships tremendously.
“While only 1.6% of the nation’s study abroad students are from UCEAP, UC students participating in the University of California’s official study abroad program comprised 8.5% of all award recipients across the nation,” Guinard said. “We are also pleased that this helps expand the UC Student Aid Pool (USAP) by over $800,000 dollars.”
The Gilman Scholarship Program accepts applications two times per year. Ideally, students should begin their application one full semester before their study abroad program is scheduled to begin. For more information on study abroad scholarships, please visit UCEAP Scholarships.