The Department of State advises all U.S. citizens to read the country-specific Travel Advisories and U.S. Embassy COVID pages for updates on the impact of COVID-19 worldwide.
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Updated as of March 24, 2023
The U.S. Department of State continues to update Travel Advisories, and the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) continues to closely monitor the status of COVID-19 globally. As a result of close consultation between ECA and U.S. Embassies and Consulates, the Gilman Program has temporarily updated travel policies to allow Gilman Scholars to study/intern in select locations with a Level 3 Travel Advisory.
Per long-standing policy, Gilman Scholars are permitted to study or intern only in locations with a Level 1 or 2 Travel Advisory. For programs starting on or after January 1, 2022, Gilman Scholars will be able to participate in programs in a select number of locations with Level 3 Travel Advisories. The program location must be a Level 1 or 2, or an approved Level 3 Travel Advisory exception location, at the start of the program. Gilman scholars must fully comply with their host country’s visa and entry requirements, including those related to vaccinations, quarantine, and testing.
Please check the Department of State’s Travel Advisory page for current status of your host location.
There are currently no locations with a Level 3 Travel Advisories that are eligible under the Gilman Program but please check back, as this page is updated frequently.
Students traveling to Approved Selected Level 3 Countries must:
- Consult with staff at their U.S. college/ university and program provider to determine any additional precautions or contingency plans of which they need to be aware to study/ intern in the selected location.
- Determine their ability to travel to and enter the location and adhere to any additional requirements or restrictions, which may include vaccinations, quarantine, and testing.
- Complete a Gilman-provided weekly online check-in questionnaire for the duration of their program abroad, or until the Travel Advisory changes to a Level 1 or 2. These check-ins are required in order to maintain their status as a Gilman Scholar, and failure to complete these check-ins may result in termination of their status as a Gilman Scholar and may include repayment of Gilman funding.
- Respond promptly to any inquiries from the U.S. Department of State officials, including at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad, and from the Gilman Program team to provide requested updates on their health and safety and any changes to their program status. These communications will be provided by email and it is incumbent upon Gilman Scholars to check their primary email address daily. Failure to respond to these communications may result in termination of their status as a Gilman Scholar and may include repayment of Gilman funding.
Travel Advisories and the approved Level 3 countries are subject to change, so students should continue to reconfirm this information as the proposed time period for the exchange approaches. The Gilman Program, under the direction of the U.S. Department of State, is the final decision-making authority regarding the eligibility of a location and the continuation of a student’s participation as a grantee of the Gilman Program.
COVID-19 TRAVEL CONSIDERATIONS
Many areas worldwide are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and have taken actions that may limit traveler mobility, including quarantines and border restrictions. Even countries, jurisdictions, or areas where cases have not been reported may restrict travel without notice. If students are participating in programs in Level 1 or 2, or approved Level 3 locations, it is essential that they confirm their ability to travel to and enter the location and adhere to any additional requirements or restrictions that may be in place. Please note that situations are continuing to evolve, and students should continue to reconfirm this information as the proposed time period for the exchange approaches.
For more information on the safety and health support available to Gilman Scholars, Please check here for more information on the safety and health support available to Gilman Scholars.
Frequently Asked Questions
See our Applicants FAQ Page!
Q. Can the Gilman Program help Gilman alumni currently abroad return to the United States?
A. The Gilman Program cannot assist Gilman alumni who are currently abroad to return to the United States. The Gilman Program’s emergency travel assistance was solely to support students who departed immediately after travel restrictions were enacted. Individuals remaining in their study abroad countries should reach out directly to the U.S. Embassy’s Office of American Citizen Services for questions and support, if needed.
Q. Do Gilman Scholars who returned early need to complete their Follow-on Service Project?
A. Yes, Gilman Scholars who returned early will be required to complete their Follow-On Service Project within 6 months of their return to the U.S.
Q. How do Gilman Scholars extend their Follow-on Service Project deadline?
A. To request an extension, scholars need to log into the Gilman Alumni Portal and click the Follow-on Report tab to propose a new and reasonable deadline for the project along with a brief explanation of the extension request.
Q. How can a Gilman Scholar who has returned early revise their Follow-on Service Project Proposal?
A. If a Gilman Scholar who returned early is unable to complete their Follow-On Service Project as proposed in the application, they should contact Gilman with the reason for revision and the new plan. Then they should summarize the new Follow-on Service Project plan in paragraph format by addressing the following questions:
- Briefly outline your proposed project to promote the Gilman Scholarship and international education. How will this project impact your home university or community? What are your project goals?
- What is your target population and how will your project impact this group?
- How will you integrate the impact of your experiences abroad into your project? What medium will you use to express your message? (ex: presentation, flyer, social media, etc.)
- What, if any, campus departments, student organizations, and/or community organizations will you collaborate with in promoting the Gilman Scholarship and international education? Have you already made contact with these groups?
Q. Do advisors need to edit certifications for applicants whose programs were canceled?
A. No. Advisors do not need to edit certifications for applications submitted if the programs were canceled. Students who are changing to a different program or participating in a credit-bearing virtual program will be required to complete a ‘Program Change’ in the Gilman application system. Once they have provided their updated information, advisors will be prompted to certify new program information. Note that students who are participating in the same program indicated on their application, but during a later term, they will not be required to get their updated program dates certified by their advisor.
Q. CAN MY STUDENT APPLY FOR A PROGRAM IN A COUNTRY OR AREA THAT IS CURRENTLY A TRAVEL ADVISORY LEVEL 3 OR 4?
A. If a country or area is at a level 3 or 4 only due to COVID-19 at the time they apply, Gilman will still consider them eligible for review. However, if the applicant becomes a recipient, the program location must have a Level 1 or 2 Travel Advisory or an approved level 3 exception before the program start date. Otherwise, the recipient will not be paid and the program will not be considered eligible. The Gilman program will work with them on alternative options.
Q. CAN GILMAN SEND FLYERS AND POSTERS TO ME?
A. At this time Gilman is providing free digital flyers, posters, and other resources to advisors. You may find them under Advisor Outreach Tools and Advisor Resources.
Q. Where can I find additional State Department and CDC Guidance and Resources to provide students and colleagues?
A. Other resources for up-to-date information regarding the current global health conditions include, but are not limited to:
