[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 32 (Tuesday, March 19, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E383]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                GILMAN INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BENJAMIN A. GILMAN

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 19, 2002

  Mr. GILMAN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
inform my colleagues of the success of the Gilman International 
Scholarship Program established to benefit low income college students 
receiving benefits in its first year of operation. Our Scholarship 
Program sponsored by the United States Department of State, Bureau of 
Educational and Cultural Affairs and administered by Institute of 
International Education, encourages American students to study abroad 
by providing specified grants. This is an opportunity to gain knowledge 
and experience first hand that they may not have otherwise due to the 
costs.
  In the 2001-2002 academic year 302 awards were made to students from 
among 2,771 applicants from 44 states plus Puerto Rico. The awards were 
split with 68 percent going to semester long programs, 24 percent to 
academic year programs, and 8 percent to quarter and other programs. 
These numbers by themselves are impressive, however, when they are 
combined with the number of states and institutions represented it gets 
even better. These students represent 172 different colleges, 
universities, and community colleges. I am proud that this Scholarship 
Program has reached such a broad cross-section of eligible students. 
Moreover, it is gratifying that 32 percent of that cross-section 
represents minority students.
  Our Scholarship Program is placing students in countries other than 
the more traditional Western Europe states. I am happy to note that 
only 41 percent of our students have studied in Western Europe. Asia 
and Oceania drew 28 percent of our participants and the Western 
Hemisphere drew 17 percent. The remaining 14 percent chose either 
Africa, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, or had a program that allowed 
them to travel to multiple regions. It is gratifying that with the 
world opening to them these participants chose to take advantage of it 
and study in every region available to them. The idea of an open world 
also carries over to the fields of study represented. There are 41 
different fields represented between the 4 different programs offered.
  The I.I.E and State Department have admirably implemented this 
program, and the reward is with the number of students seeking to 
participate. With such interest, I hope our scholarship will continue 
to grow to provide more students with this excellent opportunity.

   Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program Statistical 
                      Overview: Academic Year 2002

       Total applications received: 2771.
       Total awards: 302.
       Home States represented: 39 plus DC and PR.
       Institutions represented: 170.
       Destination countries: 41.
       $5000 awards given 261
       $3000 awards given 41


                         Length of Study Abroad

       Semester: 69%.
       Academic/full year: 25%.


                  Ethnicity (as reported by applicant)

       Asian or Pacific Islander: 12%.
       Black/Non-Hispanic: 11%.
       Hispanic: 8%.
       White: 55%.
       Other: 5%.
       No answer given: 9%.


        World Region Distribution (using country of destination)

       Africa: 8%.
       Asia and Oceania: 29%.
       Middle East: 1%.
       Europe(including Russia & NIS): 42%.
       Western Hemisphere: 20%.


                                 Gender

       Female: 72%.
       Male: 28%.


                             Level of Study

       Freshman: 1%.
       Sophmore: 10%.
       Junior: 53%.
       Senior: 36%.

       

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