Twelve University of Rochester students have been awarded Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarships for spring 2012. Recipients of this prestigious study abroad scholarship are chosen through a competitive process and use the award to offset the cost of pursing international education experiences.

Rochester's undergraduates were selected from a national pool; more than 60 percent of the students who applied from the University received scholarships, in comparison to the national average of 30 percent. The recipients are:

"Again this semester, the Gilman scholarship is supporting our students as they study in five continents around the world, and we are pleased to note that since the beginning of the program, Rochester students have studied in 26 different countries through the scholarship," said Jacqueline Levine, director of Rochester's Center for Study Abroad and Interdepartmental Programs.

Since the program's inception in 2002, 90 University students have won Gilman awards. The scholarship, which provides financial assistance to students who are enrolled in study abroad programs worldwide, is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and the Institute of International Education, which also administers the prestigious Fulbright fellowships. The program gives undergraduates awards of up to $5,000 each.