Darlene Cruz, an International Studies major at Fredonia, is one of 860 American undergraduate students from 332 colleges and universities across the U.S. selected to receive the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship.
The scholarship, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, is awarded for study or internships abroad during the upcoming fall or academic year. Ms. Cruz, a junior, will be studying in Japan for the 2015-2016 academic year and is the first Fredonia student to be awarded the Gilman scholarship.
Gilman scholars receive up to $5,000 to apply towards their study abroad or internship program costs. The program aims to diversify the students who study and intern abroad and the countries and regions where they go. Students receiving a Federal Pell Grant from two- and four-year institutions who will be studying abroad or participating in a career-oriented international internship for academic credit are eligible to apply. Scholarship recipients have the opportunity to gain a better understanding of other cultures, countries, languages, and economies -- making them better prepared to assume leadership roles within government and the private sector.
About 35 percent of Fredonia students receive the Pell Grant as part of their financial aid package, meaning that each of them is eligible to receive a Gilman award for semester or summer study abroad programs. The Office of International Education will be offering workshops on applying for the Gilman starting in Fall 2015 and hopes to work more closely with Educational Development Program students starting at summer orientation. Students with questions about the Gilman or Pell Grants should contact the Office of International Education or the Office of Financial Aid.
