U.S. Department of State Gilman McCain Scholarship Fall 2026

Applications are open for the U.S. Department of State’s Gilman McCain Scholarship for Fall 2026. The scholarship provides financial support to undergraduate students who are children or spouses of active or activated United States military personnel and who plan to participate in eligible credit bearing study abroad or international internship programmes.

The John S. McCain International Scholarship for Military Families, known as the Gilman McCain Scholarship, is a congressionally funded initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The programme was established to help eligible military families access international education opportunities while developing global perspectives, leadership skills and career readiness.

For the Fall 2026 application cycle, applicants may use the scholarship for eligible programmes or internships beginning between December 1, 2026 and October 31, 2027. This includes Winter or January term 2027, Spring 2027, Maymester 2027, Summer 2027, Fall 2027 and academic year 2027 to 2028 programmes.

About the Scholarship

The Gilman McCain Scholarship supports international education opportunities for eligible children and spouses of active or activated U.S. military personnel. It is administered under the broader Gilman Scholarship framework and is specifically designed for military family members.

The scholarship can be used toward the cost of eligible credit bearing study abroad programmes and international internships. Applicants must be pursuing an approved programme in a country or location with an overall U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory Level 1 or Level 2. Specific areas designated Level 3 or Level 4 are not eligible.

Scholarship Benefits

• $5,000 scholarship award

• Financial support toward eligible study abroad programmes

• Financial support toward eligible international internships

• Opportunity to gain international academic and professional experience

• Development of global perspectives, leadership skills and career readiness

• Participation in the wider Gilman scholar and alumni community

The $5,000 award is intended to be used toward the cost of the approved study abroad or international internship programme.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be a citizen or national of the United States

• Be an undergraduate student in good standing at an accredited U.S. higher education institution

• Be enrolled at either a two year or four year institution

• Be a child or spouse of active or activated United States military personnel at the time of application

• Receive any type of Title IV federal financial aid during the application period or provide proof of receiving Title IV federal financial aid during the study abroad programme or internship

• Be applying to or accepted into a credit bearing study abroad or international internship programme

• Provide proof of programme acceptance before scholarship disbursement

• Participate in an eligible country or location with an overall U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory Level 1 or Level 2

• Ensure the programme does not involve an overseas institution prohibited under the applicable Section 1286 NDAA list

Eligible military branches and services include the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, Space Force, National Guard and Reserve components, as well as the NOAA Commissioned Corps and USPHS Commissioned Corps.

Application Requirements

Applicants should be prepared to provide information demonstrating their eligibility and study abroad plans.

Required application components include:

• Personal and academic information

• Details about the intended study abroad programme or international internship

• Information confirming military dependent status

• Information concerning Title IV federal financial aid

• Scholarship application essays

• Programme information and destination details

• Any required supporting documentation

How to Apply

1. Review the official Gilman McCain Scholarship eligibility requirements and confirm that you meet the military dependent, undergraduate and financial aid requirements.
2. Identify or confirm your eligible credit bearing study abroad programme or international internship.
3. Check the U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory Level for your intended destination and confirm that the programme meets the scholarship’s destination requirements.
4. Prepare the required application information and supporting documentation, including details concerning your military dependent status and financial aid.
5. Write the four required scholarship essays, ensuring that each response addresses its specific prompt and remains within the stated word limit.
6. Submit the Fall 2026 Gilman McCain Scholarship application through the official online application system before October 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time.
7. Ensure that your study abroad or financial aid advisor completes the required certification by October 8, 2026.
8. Monitor your email for the scholarship decision, which is expected in December 2026.