# Critical Need Language Award

> Up to $3,000 from Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program. See the official page for current dates..

- Edition: Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition
- Page: https://www.collegesref.com/scholarships/critical-need-language-award
- Provider: Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program (Federal)
- Award: Up to $3,000
- Deadline: See the official page for current dates.
- Official page: https://www.gilmanscholarship.org/program/critical-need-languages/
- Last verified by CollegesRef: Nov 6, 2026

## About this scholarship

The Critical Need Language Award, offered through the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program, provides supplemental funding for students who study a designated critical need language while abroad. Eligible languages include Arabic, Bahasa Indonesian, Mandarin Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, and Urdu, along with sign language versions of these specific languages. To qualify, applicants must submit an essay detailing their motivation, how they plan to improve their language skills, and how this study aligns with their academic and career objectives. Recipients are also eligible to take the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview at no additional cost. Because this program is an extension of the Gilman Scholarship, applicants must meet the general eligibility requirements of the main program, which includes receiving a Federal Pell Grant and submitting the FAFSA to demonstrate financial need. The program offers up to $3,000 in additional funding. See the official page for current dates.

## Who can apply

- Education level: Undergraduate
- Year: College 1st year, College 2nd year, College 3rd year, College 4th year
- Applicants must be studying a designated critical need language while abroad. Eligible languages include Arabic, Bahasa Indonesian, Mandarin Chinese, Hindi, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Russian, Swahili, Turkish, and Urdu, as well as sign language versions of these languages.

## How to apply

To apply, submit a short essay describing how you intend to improve your critical need language skills, your motivations for doing so, and how studying the language relates to your academic and professional goals.

## Related scholarships

- [LPS Qubit Collaboratory (LQC)](https://www.collegesref.com/scholarships/lps-qubit-collaboratory-lqc): Amount varies
- [Federal Pell Grant](https://www.collegesref.com/scholarships/federal-pell-grant): Up to $7,395
- [Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG)](https://www.collegesref.com/scholarships/federal-supplemental-educational-opportunity-grant): $100 to $4,000
- [TEACH Grant](https://www.collegesref.com/scholarships/federal-teach-grant): Up to $4,000

Always confirm amounts, rules and deadlines on the official page before applying.