UC Davis University Gilman Scholarship 2027: Up to $5,000 for Study Abroad

The UC Davis University Gilman Scholarship 2027 offers eligible undergraduate students an opportunity to receive up to $5,000 toward the cost of participating in an approved study or internship abroad program. Administered by the U.S. Department of State, the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is designed to expand access to international education for students who might otherwise be unable to participate because of financial limitations.

The scholarship can support eligible undergraduate students undertaking credit-bearing study or internship programs in countries and locations around the world. Additional funding may also be available through special awards for critical-need language study, STEM-related programs and qualifying military dependents.

The University of California, Davis provides application guidance and advising support to its students interested in the Gilman Scholarship. The university has also been recognized as a leading producer of Gilman Scholars.

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is a U.S. government-funded scholarship that supports undergraduate students participating in study or internship programs abroad.

Through the program, successful applicants can receive up to $5,000 to help cover eligible costs associated with their international education experience.

The program is intended particularly to broaden participation in study abroad by supporting students with financial need. Applicants must meet the program’s eligibility requirements and participate in a qualifying undergraduate credit-bearing program.

For UC Davis students, the university’s Global Learning Hub and Financial Aid and Scholarships offices provide resources to help applicants understand the program and prepare competitive applications.

Scholarship Benefits

The main Gilman Scholarship provides:

Up to $5,000 in funding.
Financial support for eligible undergraduate study-abroad programs.
Financial support for eligible undergraduate internships abroad.
Opportunities to study or intern in diverse countries and world regions.

Applicants may also qualify for supplemental funding depending on their circumstances and the nature of their overseas program.

Critical Need Language Award

Students studying a qualifying critical-need language may be eligible for an additional award of up to $3,000. The language must generally be studied in a country or location where it is predominantly spoken.

STEM Supplemental Award

Students undertaking formal STEM coursework or research as part of their overseas program may be eligible for an additional STEM Supplemental Award of up to $1,000.

Gilman-McCain Scholarship

The Gilman-McCain Scholarship provides a separate $5,000 award for eligible undergraduate children and spouses of active-duty or activated U.S. military personnel. Unlike the standard Gilman Scholarship, the Gilman-McCain program does not require applicants to receive a Federal Pell Grant, although applicants must meet its separate federal financial-aid requirements.

Eligibility Requirements

According to the UC Davis information provided, applicants for the standard Gilman Scholarship must meet several requirements.

Applicants must:

Be a U.S. citizen or U.S. national.
Receive a Federal Pell Grant at the time of application or while participating in the overseas program.
Participate in an undergraduate credit-bearing program.
Select a program located in a destination with a U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory Level 1 or 2.

These requirements are important because the Gilman Scholarship is not a general international scholarship open to students of every nationality. Students studying at UC Davis who are considering the program should review the official eligibility rules before beginning an application.

2027 Application Deadlines

The Gilman Scholarship has two annual application cycles that can support programs taking place during 2027 and the 2027–2028 academic year.

Fall 2026 Application Cycle

The Fall 2026 application cycle is scheduled to close on October 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.

This cycle is for applicants whose study-abroad programs or internships begin between December 1, 2026, and October 31, 2027. It therefore covers programs taking place during Winter 2027, Spring 2027, Summer 2027, Fall 2027 and the 2027–2028 academic year.

Applicants in this cycle are expected to receive notification of their application status in December 2026.

Spring 2027 Application Cycle

The Spring 2027 application deadline is February 25, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time.

This cycle covers applicants whose programs or internships begin between May 1, 2027, and April 30, 2028. Eligible programs can include Summer 2027, Fall 2027, Spring 2028 and academic-year programs.

Applicants applying through this cycle are expected to receive notification of their status in May 2027.

How UC Davis Students Can Apply

Students apply directly through the official Gilman Scholarship application system rather than through UC Davis.

UC Davis students can nevertheless access university advising and application support. The university recommends that applicants use its study-abroad and financial-aid resources when preparing their applications.

Students can also seek assistance with application essays and advising through UC Davis’s prestigious scholarships team.

For different UC Davis study-abroad program types, applicants are asked to select the appropriate Study Abroad and Financial Aid certifying advisors when completing their applications.

Why the Gilman Scholarship Is Important

Studying or interning abroad can provide students with opportunities to develop international experience, strengthen academic and professional skills and gain exposure to different cultures and communities. However, the cost of international education can prevent students with financial need from participating.

The Gilman Scholarship seeks to address this barrier by providing financial assistance to eligible undergraduate students.

UC Davis has been recognized as a Top Producer of Gilman Scholars, highlighting the university’s strong participation in the program and its support for students pursuing international educational opportunities.

Important Information for Applicants

Students interested in the UC Davis University Gilman Scholarship 2027 should begin preparing well before the relevant deadline. Applicants should first confirm that they meet the citizenship, Pell Grant, undergraduate-program and destination requirements.

They should also confirm that their planned overseas program is credit-bearing and falls within the applicable program dates.

Because the scholarship involves competitive selection, applicants should carefully prepare their application materials and essays. UC Davis offers advising and essay-review resources that can help eligible students understand the application process.

The Fall 2026 deadline is October 1, 2026, while the Spring 2027 deadline is February 25, 2027. Students planning to study or intern abroad during 2027 should determine which application cycle applies to their program and prepare accordingly.

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Applicants should consult the official Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program for current application instructions, eligibility requirements and application materials. UC Davis students can also use the university’s Global Learning Hub and Financial Aid and Scholarships resources for campus-specific guide. The UC Davis page describes the scholarship as available to eligible U.S. citizens and U.S. nationals receiving Federal Pell Grant assistance. International students who are not U.S. citizens or nationals should not assume they qualify for the standard Gilman Scholarship.

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