Gilman-McCain Scholarship supports undergraduate child and spousal dependents of active or activated U.S. military personnel with awards to study or intern abroad. The Gilman-McCain Scholarship provides awards of $5,000 for credit-bearing study abroad or international internship programs for eligible applicants who receive Title IV federal financial aid.
The scholarship is a congressionally funded initiative of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State and is developed under the framework of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program. It is named after the late senator John S. McCain and implemented with support from the Institute of International Education.
Benefits ofmGilman-McCain Scholarship
- Provides awards of $5,000 to be used toward the cost of study abroad or international internship programs.
- Offers 100 awards of $5,000 each for the current academic year.
- No application fee to submit an application.
- Eligible applicants may also be considered for the Critical Need Language Award if applicable.
Eligibility Criteria for the Gilman-McCain Scholarship
- A citizen or national of the United States;
- An undergraduate student in good standing at an accredited U.S. institution (including two-year and four-year institutions);
- Dependent (child or spouse) of active or activated United States military personnel during the time of application;
- Recipient of any type of Title IV federal financial aid during the time of application or provide proof that they will receive Title IV federal financial aid during their program;
- In the process of applying to, or accepted to, a credit-bearing study abroad or internship program (proof of acceptance required prior to award disbursement);
- Applying for programs in locations with an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2 (scholars cannot travel to areas designated Level 3 or 4);
- Unable to participate in programs that involve an overseas institution on the Section 1286 NDAA List of ‘Foreign Institutions Engaging in Problematic Activities’.
How to Apply for the Gilman-McCain Scholarship?
- The Fall 2026 application is now open.
- Start your application through the Gilman online application system: https://apply.gilmanapplication.org/gilman-mccain/
- The Fall 2026 application is for programs or internships starting between December 1, 2026 to October 31, 2027.
- The Fall 2026 application deadline is Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 11:59pm Pacific Time; advisor certification deadline is October 8, 2026.
- The Gilman-McCain Winter application deadline is Thursday, January 7, 2027, at 11:59pm Pacific Time; advisor certification deadline is January 14, 2027.
- Study abroad advisor certification is required for applicants.
- Financial aid advisor certification will capture Federal Financial Aid status and total financial aid amount.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the Gilman-McCain Scholarship. These answers cover eligibility, award details, deadlines, advisor certifications, and how applicants are selected and notified.
Who is eligible to apply for the Gilman-McCain Scholarship?
The Gilman-McCain Scholarship is open to U.S. citizens or nationals who are undergraduate students in good standing at accredited U.S. institutions and who are child or spousal dependents of active or activated U.S. military personnel at the time of application. Applicants must also be recipients of any type of Title IV federal financial aid or provide proof they will receive such aid during their program.
How much is the award and how many awards are offered?
Selected Gilman-McCain Scholarship recipients are awarded $5,000 each to be used toward the cost of credit-bearing study abroad or international internship programs. The program offers 100 awards of $5,000 each for the current academic year, according to the information provided on the official program page.
What are the application deadlines for Fall 2026 and Winter cycles?
The Fall 2026 application deadline is Thursday, October 1, 2026, at 11:59pm Pacific Time, with the advisor certification deadline on October 8, 2026. The Winter application deadline is Thursday, January 7, 2027, at 11:59pm Pacific Time, with the advisor certification deadline on January 14, 2027. Applicants should apply through the Gilman portal.
Can applicants studying critical need languages apply for additional awards?
Yes. Gilman-McCain applicants who are studying a designated critical need language in specified locations are eligible for the Critical Need Language Award. Details and eligibility criteria for the Critical Need Language Award are available on the Gilman website and relevant program pages linked from the main scholarship page.
Can a student receive both the Gilman and Gilman-McCain scholarships?
If a student is eligible for both the Gilman and Gilman-McCain scholarships (for example, receiving a Federal Pell Grant and being a dependent of an active military member), they may be considered for both; however, a student can only receive one award. If eligible for the Gilman-McCain Scholarship, the student will no longer be considered for the standard Gilman award.
Are dependents of reservists eligible for the award?
Yes. Child or spousal dependents of active U.S. military members, including those in reserves and guards (Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, Army Reserve, Army National Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy Reserve, Space Force, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and USPHS Commissioned Corps), are eligible provided all other eligibility criteria are met and appropriate dependent military ID documentation is submitted.
Is there an application fee for the Gilman-McCain Scholarship?
No. There is no application fee. The Gilman-McCain Scholarship application is free to submit, as stated on the official program page. Applicants should ensure they complete all required fields and upload any necessary documentation without concern for an application charge.
What proof of eligibility is required regarding military dependent status?
Applicants must provide dependent military ID documentation confirming child or spousal dependent status of an active military member. The website specifies that applicants will need to provide their child or spouse dependent military ID (e.g., DD1173 Form) which confirms guardian or spouse active military status during the time of application.
Can an applicant whose sponsor is active at application but no longer active when abroad still be eligible?
Yes. The program states that a student is eligible for the Gilman-McCain Scholarship if their parent or spouse is an active military member at the time the student applies, even if the sponsor is no longer active when the student goes abroad. Eligibility is determined based on active status at time of application.
How and when will applicants be notified of award decisions?
Applicants for the Fall 2026 cycle will be notified of their status via email in December 2026. Advisors will also be notified of scholarship recipients via email and will have access to the status of each student in their Gilman advisor account. Notification timing for other cycles is provided on the program page.
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