Gilman-McCain Scholarship Grant

Gilman-McCain Scholarship Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program
Amount: US $5,000
Last Updated: March 24, 2026

Summary

The Gilman-McCain Scholarship, funded by the U.S. Department of State, honors Senator John S. McCain's legacy by supporting children and spouses of active military personnel. This program provides $5,000 awards for study abroad or internships, fostering leadership and career readiness. Eligible applicants must be U.S. citizens, undergraduate students, and recipients of federal financial aid. The scholarship aims to enhance global perspectives and promote careers in public service, contributing to the principles of democracy and human rights.

Overview

NOTE: Please see an explanation of the deadlines below. The Application deadline is for the first Full Proposal date.The Advisor Certification deadline is for the second first Full Proposal date. Gilman-McCain Scholarship The John S. McCain International Scholarship for Military Families (Gilman-McCain Scholarship) is a congressionally funded initiative of 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. With the support of the U.S. Congress, this scholarship honors the Senator’s legacy of public service by enabling children and spouses of active or activated United States military personnel to develop the leadership and career readiness skills and global perspective to pursue careers of service and contribute to preserving the principles and alliances that are critical to an international order based on the rule of law, human rights, and democracy. The Gilman-McCain Scholarship provides awards of $5,000 for child and spousal dependents of active or activated United States military personnel during the time of application (including 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) to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs. Applicants must be recipients of any type of Title IV federal financial aid during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving Title IV federal financial aid during their study abroad program or internship.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. To be eligible for a Gilman-McCain Scholarship, an applicant must be:A citizen or national of the United States; An undergraduate student in good standing at an accredited institution of higher education in the United States (including both two-year and four-year institutions); Dependent (child or spouse) of active or activated United States military personnel during the time of application (including 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); Recipient of any type of Title IV federal financial aid during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving Title IV federal financial aid during their study abroad program or internship; In the process of applying to, or accepted to, a credit-bearing study abroad or internship program. Proof of program acceptance is required prior to award disbursement; Applying for credit-bearing study abroad programs in a country or location with an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2, according to the U.S. Department of State’s Travel Advisory System. It is important to note that certain areas within a country or location that has an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2 may be designated within the Travel Advisory as either Level 3 or Level 4; Gilman scholars will not be allowed to travel to these specific areas.

Ineligibility

Gilman scholars are unable to participate in programs located in a country or location — or an area within a country or location — that is designated as either a Level 3 (“Reconsider travel to”) or Level 4 (“Do not travel to”).