The University of Maryland (UMD) is celebrating record-setting results in the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship Program for the October 2025 application round, highlighting once again the power of partnership between Education Abroad (EA) and the National Scholarships Office (NSO). As announced on December 3, 2025, UMD students achieved their strongest performance to date during a highly competitive national cycle.
Nationwide, 7,700 applicants applied and 1,550 scholarships were awarded, for an overall selection rate of 20%. UMD students submitted 178 applications, representing 2.3% of all applicants, and earned 46 Gilman Scholarships, accounting for 3% of all national awards. With a 26% UMD selection rate, our students outpaced the national average by a substantial margin.
The total value of UMD’s 46 awards is $140,500, marking a major increase from the October 2024 cycle, which produced 32 UMD awards totaling $98,500. This year’s results therefore reflect a higher number of recipients as well as increased financial support for students pursuing global learning experiences.
These achievements demonstrate the ongoing impact of UMD’s coordinated advising model, which includes high-touch support through application workshops, financial literacy guidance and ongoing training for global learning advisors on scholarship opportunities. In addition, Education Abroad’s Gilman Guarantee continues to strengthen access: since 2023, EA has invested more than $440,000 to guarantee a minimum of $2,500 for every student who applies to the Gilman when they work with NSO.
With record participation, record awards, and record funding, this cycle stands as UMD’s strongest showing yet, and a testament to the enthusiasm, preparation and collaborative support behind every Gilman applicant.