The Gilman-McCain Scholarship offers a significant opportunity for dependent children and spouses of active-duty U.S. military personnel to pursue their academic dreams through study abroad programs. Funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, this scholarship, named in honor of Senator John McCain, aims to make international study experiences more accessible to military families. This article addresses common questions about the Gilman-McCain Scholarship, clarifying eligibility and application details for those connected to the armed forces.
Who Can Apply for the Gilman-McCain Scholarship?
The Gilman-McCain Scholarship is exclusively for dependents of active or activated United States military personnel during the application period. This is a key distinction. If you are a veteran or a dependent of a veteran, you would not be eligible for the Gilman-McCain Scholarship. However, veterans and their dependents are encouraged to explore the general Gilman Scholarship Program, which has different eligibility criteria. You can find more information about the Gilman Program eligibility on its official website.
A frequent question arises about Federal Pell Grant recipients. It’s important to note that while the regular Gilman Scholarship often requires Pell Grant eligibility, the Gilman-McCain Scholarship does not have a strict Pell Grant requirement. To be eligible for the Gilman-McCain Scholarship, applicants must be children or spousal dependents of an active military service member in the U.S. Armed Forces (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, or Coast Guard). Crucially, they must be receiving any type of Title IV federal financial aid. This broadens the scope of eligibility beyond just Pell Grant recipients.
Even if a student is not currently receiving a Federal Pell Grant, if they are a qualifying dependent of an active military member, they are strongly encouraged to apply for the Gilman-McCain Scholarship. The application process is designed to automatically consider eligible dependents for the Gilman-McCain Scholarship when they apply for the general Gilman Scholarship, provided they submit proof of their dependent status.
Active Military Status and Eligibility
Another common point of inquiry concerns the active duty status of the military member. Eligibility for the Gilman-McCain Scholarship is determined by the military member’s status at the time of application. Therefore, even if a parent or spouse is an active military member when the student applies but is no longer active when the study abroad program commences, the student remains eligible. The crucial factor is the active duty status during the application phase.
For students who are dependents of active military members and might also be Pell Grant recipients, the question of which scholarship to apply for often arises. In such cases, it is recommended to complete the Gilman-McCain Scholarship application. While eligible students might technically qualify for both the Gilman and Gilman-McCain scholarships, they can only receive one. If deemed eligible for the Gilman-McCain Scholarship, they will be prioritized for that award and will no longer be considered for the general Gilman Scholarship. This ensures that the Gilman-McCain Scholarship reaches its intended recipients – dependents of active military personnel.
Additional Opportunities and Award Details
Gilman-McCain applicants also have access to additional opportunities. Specifically, they are eligible to apply for the Critical Need Language Award. If a Gilman-McCain applicant is planning to study a critical need language in a designated location, they can further enhance their scholarship package through this award.
In terms of award availability, the Gilman-McCain Scholarship offers 100 awards of $5,000 each for the current academic year. This significant funding can substantially offset the costs associated with studying abroad, making international education a reality for many military families.
It is important to reiterate that the Gilman-McCain Scholarship is specifically for dependents of current active military members. Dependents of military personnel who died while in active service are unfortunately not eligible for this particular scholarship. However, resources for other study abroad scholarships and grants are available, and interested individuals are encouraged to consult the “Other Study Abroad Resources” section on the Gilman Scholarship website for alternative funding options.
Finally, a practical point to note: there is no application fee for the Gilman-McCain Scholarship. Applying is entirely free, removing a potential barrier for interested and eligible students.
Eligibility for Dependents of Reservists
Expanding on the definition of “active military members,” the Gilman-McCain Scholarship extends eligibility to dependents of those serving in various active duty components. This includes active duty members in the Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, Army, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy, Navy Reserve, Space Force, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and USPHS Commissioned Corps.
To verify dependent status and active military affiliation, all applicants are required to provide their child or spouse dependent military ID, specifically the DD1173 Form. This form serves as official confirmation of the guardian or spouse’s active military member status, ensuring that the scholarship is awarded to the intended recipients within the military community.
By addressing these key questions, the Gilman-McCain Scholarship aims to provide clarity and encourage eligible dependents of active military personnel, including John McCain’s children in spirit – the broader community of military families – to seize the invaluable opportunity of studying abroad.
