U of A named a top producer of Gilman Scholars

The University of Arizona was recognized on Thursday by the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, which named the U of A as one of the top producers of Gilman Scholars in the nation. The university ranked No. 4 among institutions with more than 15,000 students. 

Administered by the U.S. Department of State and hosted by the Bureau of Cultural and Educational Affairs, the Gilman Program offers need‑based scholarships to undergraduate students with limited financial means in order to study or intern abroad for college credit while gaining valuable international experience, language and critical thinking skills. The program is named after the late New York Congressman, Benjamin A. Gilman, and has been administered by The Institute of International Education since its inception in 2001. 

Every year, nearly 3,000 students across the country are awarded Gilman scholarships of up to $5,000, which defrays the cost of tuition, room and board, international airfare and other expenses. Students must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant to be eligible for the program

Gilman Scholars at the U of A are supported by Study Abroad within Arizona International. Study abroad programs at the university include a wide range of formats, from short-term, faculty-led courses to semester and yearlong programs in more than 30 countries.

"Being named one of the nation's top producers of Gilman Scholars is a testament to the hard work we do every day to provide access to our students, and it's amazing to see that work recognized at a national level," said Harmony DeFazio, executive director of Study Abroad. "At its core, this office is a tool that supports student success at the University of Arizona, and this scholarship is an important part of that work."

The U of A was recognized for its contribution to the program over the last 25 years, over which time more than 600 Wildcats have earned more than $2.3 million in scholarships – with an average award amount of $3,700 per student. Study Abroad has also demonstrated consistent success in helping students secure Gilman funding: The university's award rate averages 30%, compared to the 20% national average. 

Peer-driven student success

Supporting students through their Gilman journey often begins with peer advisors like Alyssa Ortega, a senior studying information science in the College of Information Science. Last summer, Ortega traveled to Seoul, South Korea as a Gilman Scholar to study at UA Seoul, a partnership with Hanyang University. While there, she advanced her academic goals while immersing herself in Korean culture and daily life.

Back in Southern Arizona, Ortega now helps her fellow Wildcats through their application process. Alongside her fellow advisors, Ortega hosts open office hours to help students begin their application and sift through the finer details of essays and personal statements. 

"Students are often worried about the costs of studying abroad and applying for a nationally competitive scholarship, and what I've found to be most helpful is actually sitting down and walking them through the process," she said. "I can guide them through the various scholarship websites and provide one-on-one feedback on their application and essays. I make sure they know I can always lend a hand if they need it."

According to Dafne Johnson, program director of Study Abroad scholarships, students like Ortega play a crucial role in the university's recognition from the Gilman Program.

Johnson's primary goal is to help Wildcats reach their full potential by experiencing other cultures and sharing a piece of Southern Arizona while they study abroad. She called the Gilman Scholarship "a key tool" in accomplishing that work because the program supports students in realizing their dreams without worrying about financial constraints.

"Gilman is one of the first scholarships we tell our students about because it supports those who couldn't otherwise afford the experience," Johnson said. "I think the Gilman program presents a wonderful opportunity for students because it's a nationally competitive scholarship that shows students what they want to accomplish is possible."

In addition to the Gilman Scholarship, Johnson and her staff assist students applying to the Garcia Family Foundation Scholarship for Study Abroad, established last September to expand access to credit-bearing U of A Study Abroad programs for students with financial need.

International education and collaboration at the U of A was previously recognized by the Fulbright Program, which in February named the university one of the nation's top producers of Fulbright Scholars. The university also earned the Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization from NAFSA: Association of International Educators for implementing innovative strategies and partnerships fostering global learning opportunities.