In the world of great adventures, the most important step is the one that takes you beyond what you already know. MiraCosta College is excited to share that the U.S. Department of State has recognized it as a Gilman Program 25th Anniversary Top Producing Institution.

This prestigious distinction places MiraCosta College among the top-tier of Associate’s Colleges nationwide, recognized for excellence in providing undergraduate students with limited financial means the opportunity to study or intern abroad. Since 2019, 25 MiraCosta students have received the Gilman Scholarship, totaling $90,000 in funding.

As the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program celebrates its 25th anniversary, MiraCosta College is being honored for its sustained commitment. By removing financial barriers, the college ensures that a "well-rounded education" isn't just a local concept, but a global reality.

“At MiraCosta College, our mission is to foster the holistic success of our diverse learners by providing innovative opportunities that bridge classroom learning and real-world experience," says Kathy Rodriguez, director of Admissions and Records. "Being named a Top Producer for the Gilman Program’s 25th anniversary validates our commitment to preparing students to be active global citizens. By removing financial barriers to international education, we are dismantling systems of inequity and ensuring all students can participate in the cultural and educational enrichment that transforms lives."

The college’s impact continues to expand. For the first time ever, two MiraCosta applicants applied for the January 2026 cycle for the Gilman–McCain Scholarship, a specialized award for active-duty military members and their dependents. Both received $5,000.

For many MiraCostans, the Gilman Scholarship is the spark that changes their entire story. For example, Sara Funk traveled to Zakynthos, Greece, in the summer of 2024. “I never thought I would have the opportunity to study abroad, but working with the Study Abroad office at MiraCosta simplified the process and made me believe it could be possible, even for a student like me. I was so honored to be a recipient of the Gilman Scholarship to help fund my experience, which I applied to, believing I wouldn’t even have a chance of receiving.”

Through the Gilman program, students gain essential career skills and multicultural perspectives required in today’s interconnected workforce. These experiences do more than teach a curriculum; they build the confidence and global empathy that define the next generation of leaders.

Students interested in rewriting their own stories through international travel or local academic excellence are encouraged to visit:

The Gilman Scholarship Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). Its implementation is supported by the Institute of International Education (IIE). The program provides scholarships of up to $5,000 to U.S. undergraduate students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad.