PENN STATE TOP UNIVERSITY FOR SPRING 2002 GILMAN SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Penn State, with five award winners, ranks first among American universities in numbers of recipients of the spring 2002 Gilman scholarship.  Named after Congressman Benjamin A. Gilman (R-NY), the sponsor of legislation providing for $1.5 million to broaden and increase study abroad opportunities by undergraduate students who face financial difficulties, Gilman scholarships are awarded through the Department of State's Bureau of Cultural and Educational Affairs and administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE).  The IIE received 539 applications in this grant cycle and awarded 122 grants.

Selected recipients are awarded up to $5,000, depending on the length of their program, to reduce the costs associated with studying abroad. According to statistics published in the IIEs Open Doors, the number of U.S. students participating in study abroad has increased by 45% over the past four years. This year, the high level of interest in the Gilman Scholarship Program has restricted the scholarship to students receiving federal Pell Grant funding. The University Office of International Programs publicized the awards and provided information for student applicants.

 Penn State students receiving the award are:

 Michael Barrick, planning to study in Belgium

Jacquelin Kazanjian, planning to study in Spain

Melissa Luery, planning to study in Italy

Desma Robles, planning to study in Spain

Lauren Scott, planning to study in United Kingdom

 

The five successful applicants came from 21 students who applied for the awards through the University Office of International Programs.