For the Gilman Scholarship Program’s October 2020 deadline, four UCSC students applied to the scholarship and all were awarded $4,500 or higher for participation in a study abroad program.
Many of those recipients planned to study abroad during spring 2021, however, all UC spring 2021 programs have officially been canceled due to stringent travel and quarantine restrictions, health advisories, border closures, and embassies suspending the issuance of student visas during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I am very grateful to the Gilman scholarship program. The program supports students who are historically underrepresented in education abroad and have high financial need. What’s more, we’ve seen a record increase of UCSC students applying and receiving awards. While we are all navigating unprecedented situations, I am inspired by our students’ determination to engage in global learning,” Study Abroad Program Coordinator and Advisor Ashley Bayman said.
While program cancelations have been disappointing, Gilman scholars have remained determined to study abroad when it is safe to do so. Students can use their scholarship funds for summer ’21, fall ’21, and academic year 21-22 programs as well as virtual global programs.
“I am hopeful that I will be able to study abroad for at least one quarter as there are so many program options to choose from and I have advisors like Ashley to support me through the process. After experiencing two program cancellations, I am still planning on studying abroad in the Fall of 2021 through UCEAP and studying a course related to my major,” Gilman scholar Melica Baboldashtian said.
The Division of Global Engagement is proud of its scholars’ resiliency in navigating program cancellations and inspired by the hard work they’ve invested in incorporating a global experience as part of their degree.
The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad through federally funded study abroad scholarships.
For more information about this and other study abroad scholarships, visit the Scholarships page on Study Abroad’s website.