Towson University: TU Pell Grant Students Win Award To Help Expand Access To Study Abroad

Press release from Towson University:

Kyle Hobstetter

February 13. 2022

With spring deadline approaching, Study Abroad & Away Office are offering new workshops

Towson University continues to help students achieve, whether that’s on campus or
going off to another country.

This past December, six TU students were awarded up $5,000 as part of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, which provides opportunities to Study Abroad for Pell Grant recipients who have
demonstrated financial need.

According to the Study Abroad & Away Office, 31 Towson University students have received Gilman Scholarship opportunities since
the spring of 2012.

Providing Pell Grant students this opportunity is one of many examples of how Towson
University has fostered an environment where students achieve nearly the same graduation
success rate as the entire student body.

In 2021, Towson University was recognized by “U.S. News & World Report” as one of the best universities in the country for social mobility. TU students are prepared to lead their communities with integrity, civic-mindedness,
and creativity in service of the public good.

“[Those numbers] really show that there is a dedicated support on our campus to increasing
access to these types of opportunities, especially for students who traditionally
might not be able to study overseas,” says Katie Villamar, associate director for
Study Abroad & Away. “It also recognizes that we have a diverse student body seeking
these types of experiences.”

As the spring term continues, the Gilman International Scholarship program is open
for applications for the summer and fall of 2022, and for the 2023 academic and calendar
year. The Gilman Scholarship deadline for the spring is March 1.

Students who are eligible must be a United States citizen, enrolled as an undergraduate
student, a Federal Pell Grant recipient and applying for a study or internship program
outside of the United States.

As students show interest in the Gilman Scholarship, the Study Abroad & Away staff
wants to make sure students know the Gilman Scholarship process is exceedingly competitive.
Staff members are offering special workshops to help students get ready for the application
process.

“I’ve served as a Gilman Selection Panelist before, so I’ve seen what makes a successful
Gilman application and what doesn’t,” says Jacklyn Fisher, assistant director of the
Study Abroad & Away Office. “TU students have some incredible stories to share and
are seeking out life-changing opportunities overseas, so my goal for these workshops
is to use my experiences with Gilman to help them put forward the strongest applications
possible.”

Students can register now for the information sessions below. All three information
sessions will be held in the Study Abroad & Away Office located in the Psychology
Building, Room 407.

This press release was produced by Towson University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.