UMKC Leads in Helping Students Secure National Scholarships – University of Missouri-Kansas City
Seven University of Missouri–Kansas City students have been selected to receive the prestigious Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, a competitive national award from the U.S. Department of State that supports students receiving federal Pell Grants in studying or interning abroad.
UMKC stands out nationally for its strong support of students applying for the Gilman Scholarship. UMKC students have achieved an impressive 50% success rate in applying for Gilman Scholarships, twice the national average of 25%.
“It is not uncommon for students to assume study abroad isn’t meant for them, especially when the cost feels like a barrier,” said Ryan Ourada, associate director of Study Abroad and Global Engagement at UMKC. “At UMKC, we’ve worked to remove those barriers through a combination of proactive advising and access to a wide range of scholarships and funding sources. We walk students through their options, help them find funding, and stay with them until they return home.”
With nearly 40% of degree-seeking undergraduates receiving Pell grants in the 2024 academic year, UMKC is committed to ensuring students can access scholarships that can help them reach all their academic goals, including studying abroad.
In addition to Gilman advising workshops with the Study Abroad and Global Engagement office, UMKC Career Services offers dedicated, comprehensive support for students in finding and applying for nationally competitive awards through personalized advising.
Through awards like the Gilman Scholarship, students gain critical global experience that enhances their academic, professional and personal growth.
“Studying abroad forces students to think differently,” Ourada said. “They learn to navigate unfamiliar systems, challenge their own assumptions and engage with perspectives that do not mirror their own. It sharpens critical thinking and stretches their social awareness. When they come back, they are not just better students, they become more adaptable, more innovative and equipped for the kind of complex, real-world problem solving that employers and communities expect from college graduates.”
This year’s UMKC Gilman recipients will travel to six different countries on four continents:
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