St. Lawrence University Rises in Study Abroad Rankings, Excels in Gilman Scholarship Success
St. Lawrence University’s commitment to making global learning accessible has propelled its study abroad programs to new heights.
A key factor in this success is the University’s emphasis on the prestigious Gilman Scholarship, which provides critical funding to students with financial need. St. Lawrence students have not only embraced this opportunity but have also outperformed the national average of Gilman recipients.
In the recent 2024 cycle, six out of 13 St. Lawrence applicants were awarded Gilman Scholarships, totaling over $24,000, according to Kim Longfellow, assistant director of off-campus programs for the Center for International and Intercultural Studies (CIIS). This success rate outpaces the national average, where typically only 25% of applicants are funded.
For many students, the Gilman Scholarship helps ease the burden of costs that could otherwise be barriers to studying abroad, such as airfare, visa applications, and passport renewals.
Prestigious Scholarships Multiply
The numbers tell an impressive story of growth. Of the $167,000 in Gilman Scholarships awarded to St. Lawrence applicants since 2012, $130,000 has been awarded just since 2021—meaning 32 of the 42 all-time St. Lawrence recipients have come in the last four years.
This growth in Gilman Scholars is no accident. “In the last five years, CIIS has ramped up its outreach and advocacy efforts, identifying and reaching out to eligible students and supporting them throughout the application process,” Longfellow says.
The commitment to making off-campus experiences a possibility for all St. Lawrence students extends beyond Gilman Scholarships. Each year, the University provides over $500,000 in additional funds, made possible in part by generous alumni gifts, to support students studying off campus. These funds cover everything from tuition assistance to daily transportation costs.
“CIIS is committed to supporting any qualified student integrate off-campus study into their academic goals,” says Matt Carotenuto, history professor and associate dean of international and intercultural studies. “Don’t let finances, major requirements or other barriers prevent you from coming in to talk with a CIIS advisor. Let’s make it happen together.”
A Reputation for Study Abroad
This robust support system has also elevated St. Lawrence’s reputation on a national scale. The University climbed to 16th place in national rankings for participation in semester-length study abroad programs for the 2022-23 academic year, according to the 2024 Open Doors Report. This marks a two-spot rise from the previous year and places St. Lawrence among the top 35 baccalaureate institutions nationwide for overall participation in credit-bearing study abroad opportunities.
“These rankings are even more remarkable given the size of our institution. They reflect the high level of engagement and enthusiasm among our students, as well as the University’s commitment to supporting their global ambitions."
– Director of Off-campus Programs Caitlin Hatz
St. Lawrence’s swift recovery from the pandemic has also played a pivotal role in its study abroad success.
“St. Lawrence was able to recover from the impact of the pandemic faster than many institutions due to the unwavering support from our administration to resume off-campus study as soon as it was safe to do so,” Carotenuto says.
That support allowed the prominent off-campus study culture among the student body—where roughly 60 percent of students undertake some sort of off-campus experience—to stay alive and even thrive.
“Among the student body there’s a culture of student-to-student mentorship and encouragement when it comes to studying abroad,” Longfellow says.
“The students who come back from abroad are different; they carry themselves with more confidence, more assurance and independence, and it really changes them in positive ways. Other students pick up on that, decide to study abroad themselves, and the cycle continues.”
