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KALAMAZOO, Mich.—A record high eight Western Â鶹´«Ã½Ó¦Óà University students are participating in study abroad programs after receiving the nationally competitive Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship.

The Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship, administered by the U.S. Department of State, provides scholarships up to $5,000 to support students of limited financial means to participate in study abroad programs. The Gilman Scholarship broadens the student populations that study abroad by supporting undergraduates who might not otherwise be able to due to financial constraints. Eligibility for the Gilman scholarship requires students to be a U.S. citizen or national, an undergraduate in good standing, receiving the Federal Pell Grant and participating in a credit-bearing study abroad program.

The Haenicke Institute for Global Education shares Gilman’s goal of diversifying and broadening the student populations who participate in study abroad by guaranteeing a scholarship to any WMU student receiving the Federal Pell Grant. More information about Haenicke Institute study abroad scholarships can be found online.

Among the eight recipients from the March 2024 awarding cycle are Makayla Harris (Communication Studies – History and Cultural Immersion in Ghana, Summer I 2024), Christian Tappen (Marketing – Core Business Courses in Portugal, Summer I 2024), Maximus McCully (Pre-Nutrition and Dietetics – Business & Culture in Thailand, Summer I 2024), Kevin O’Hare (Accounting – Global Sustainability, Accounting & Reporting in Ireland, Summer II 2024) and Marissa Boutwell (Spanish – Spanish in Quito, Ecuador, Summer I 2024).

WMU students, faculty or staff interested to learn more about the Gilman Scholarship can contact the WMU Study Abroad Office. The Gilman Scholarship has two application cycles each year, with one in early October and one in early March. The next application deadline is Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024. To learn more, .