Gilman-McCain Scholarship 2026
- Omran Aburayya
- Sep 10
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 11
If you're a dependent of active or activated U.S. military personnel and aspire to study or intern abroad, the Gilman-McCain Scholarship for 2026 is now open for applications—your chance to receive a $5,000 award to support your academic journey overseas. Read on for details
🎓 Scholarship Summary
Location: International (credit-bearing study abroad or internship in any country with an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2)
Study Level: Undergraduate
Target Group: Child or spousal dependents of active or activated U.S. military personnel, receiving Title IV federal financial aid
Fields of Focus: Any, provided the program is credit-bearing; supplemental funding available for critical-need languages (up to $3,000) or STEM research (up to $1,000)
Award Value: Base award of $5,000. Additional awards: Critical-Need Language Award up to $3,000 (total max ~$8,000) and STEM Supplemental Award up to $1,000
Award Duration: Varies based on program length; eligible program lengths start from at least two weeks (community college) or three weeks (four-year institutions) but generally cover winter, spring, summer, fall, or full academic year terms
Application Deadlines:
October 2025 Cycle (for programs starting Dec 1, 2025–Oct 31, 2026): Student deadline: Friday, October 3, 2025, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time; Advisor certification by October 10, 2025
March 2026 Cycle (for programs starting May 1, 2026–Apr 30, 2027): Student deadline: March 5, 2026 at 11:59 PM PT; Advisor certification by March 12, 2026
Start Date of Programs: Varies—based on the chosen cycle (winter 2026, spring 2026, Maymester, summer 2026, fall 2026, or academic year 2026-2027)
Eligible To: U.S. citizen undergraduates who are child or spousal dependents of active or activated military personnel and recipients (or pending recipients) of Title IV federal financial aid; applying to a credit-bearing, eligible abroad or internship program in a country with Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2
🧭 Scholarship Overview
The Gilman-McCain Scholarship—a congressional initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, under the broader Gilman International Scholarship Program—honors the legacy of Senator John S. McCain by empowering military families to gain global experience and develop leadership, career readiness, and appreciation for democracy and human rights .
Applicants submit through the Gilman online portal. Once eligibility and documentation (including military dependent verification and Title IV aid proof) are verified, applications are reviewed in a separate selection panel for Gilman-McCain candidates .
🧩 Details
What for: Tailored according to each applicant’s chosen abroad or internship program; it must be credit-bearing and offered by an accredited U.S. institution, with no fixed standardized curriculum from the scholarship.
Study/Internship Type: Determined by individual programs—students may participate in coursework, cultural immersion, research projects (especially STEM), or intensive language study (particularly in critical-need languages).
Timing & Cycle: Two main cycles permit flexible timing:
October 2025 for programs from Dec 2025 to Oct 2026; notifications in December 2025.
March 2026 for programs from May 2026 to April 2027; notifications in May 2026 .
🎁 Scholarship Benefits
Funding: Base of $5,000 toward study abroad/internship costs. Additional funding available: up to $3,000 for critical-need language study; up to $1,000 for STEM research abroad .
Coverage: Can be applied to program tuition, room and board, books, transport, insurance, airfare, visa/passport fees, and other eligible costs (as with Gilman) .
Career and Leadership Development: Promotes global perspective, leadership, and readiness for service-oriented careers.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
U.S. citizenship or nationality
Undergraduate status in good standing at an accredited U.S. institution
Dependent of active or activated U.S. military personnel (service branches include Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Reserves, National Guard, Space Force, NOAA Commissioned Corps, USPHS) at time of application
Recipient of any Title IV federal financial aid at application or proof of incoming aid
Program status: Must be applying to or accepted in a credit-bearing study abroad or internship program
Destination requirement: Program location must be in a country with an overall Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2, and not in Level 3 or 4 areas within such countries
📝 Application Procedure
Application Platform: Apply via the Gilman online portal.
Required Documents:
Official/unofficial transcripts
Proof of dependent status (military ID documentation)
Proof of Title IV aid (e.g., award letter or confirmation)
Program acceptance or pending application for credit-bearing abroad/internship program
Essays: Generally include a Statement of Purpose, a Community Impact or Cultural Adjustment essay, and a follow-on Service Project plan (from Gilman standard guidelines)
Advisor Certifications: Both your Study Abroad advisor and Financial Aid advisor must certify your application in the portal by the advisor deadline .
If not listed in the portal, advisors must register in advance.
💡 Extra Tips & Recommendations
Begin early: Canvas self-help modules or webinars may be available (e.g., at UC Davis) to refine essays and prepare applications .
Review Travel Advisories carefully to ensure your chosen destination remains compliant throughout the program.
If eligible for supplemental awards (critical language or STEM), clearly articulate those experiences/plans in your essays.
Coordinate with your institution to ensure timely advisor registration and certification.
