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 You are in: Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs > Bureau of Public Affairs: Press Relations Office > Press Releases (Other) > 2001 > May 
Media Note
Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC
May 24, 2001


State Department's New Gilman Scholarships Broaden Americans' Access to Study Abroad

U.S. undergraduates can receive financial support for study abroad programs worldwide through the new Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program of the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The program is named after Congressman Ben Gilman (R-NY), the sponsor of legislation that sets aside $1.5 million to broaden and increase opportunities for study abroad by undergraduate students who face financial constraints. The Institute of International Education (IIE), a New York-based non-profit organization, will administer the program through its Southern Regional Office in Houston, Texas under a grant from the Bureau.

Established under the International Academic Opportunity Act of 2000, Gilman International Scholarships will provide up to $5,000 for American students to pursue overseas study for college credit. "We anticipate that these scholarships will help as many as 300 students annually participate in study abroad programs that might otherwise seem beyond their reach," said Dr. Helena Kane Finn, Acting Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs. "The program is a significant step toward the goal of diversifying and expanding participation in study abroad. It will promote international understanding and help American students develop the proficiency in other languages and cultures that they need to compete successfully in the global economy."

Application forms are available at the Gilman International Scholarship website, www.iie.org/gilman. Additional information is available through IIE’s Southern Regional Office by e-mail, at gilman@iie.org, or by calling (713) 621-6300 ext. 25. University and college administrators and faculty should alert potential applicants to this scholarship opportunity for the 2001-2002 academic year.

For additional information, contact: Amy Forest, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, phone (202) 619-5548 or e-mail aforest@pd.state.gov.

Media representatives, contact: Catherine Stearns, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, phone (202) 203-5107 or e-mail cstearns@pd.state.gov.


Released on May 24, 2001

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