Scholarship Facts
You Could Win a YFU Scholarship
Through the generosity of numerous corporations, governments, foundations,
and individuals, you have the chance to win a full or partial scholarship to live
overseas as a YFU exchange student.
YFU looks for students who are flexible, have a spirit of adventure,
and who will enjoy the challenge of adapting to new people in a new culture.
To be eligible for a YFU scholarship, you must meet the eligibility requirements listed in the
Scholarship Information Sheets for the program to which you are applying. Generally, applicants must be between the ages of 15 and 18, maintain a
minimum 3.0 GPA for a year or semester program or 2.0 GPA for a summer program, and be in
good health. You will also need to complete some additional paperwork, have a medical
exam, submit photos, and be interviewed by a YFU volunteer. For most YFU countries, you
don't need to know the language, although some countries do require previous language study.
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What's Included With Your Scholarship
YFU uses all its resources to provide you with the best
international exchange experience available. Scholarships include all the
benefits of a YFU program. Here is what the scholarship includes:
- professional orientation programs and materials;
- all of your group international air travel costs and assistance from YFU travel
staff at international gateway airports;
- domestic air travel costs from a YFU-designated airport*;
- local and regional trips and educational activities while you're
overseas (where noted);
- placement with a carefully screened YFU host family;
- support through counseling, tutoring, and other means;
- training for volunteers who provide professional, individual support for
you and your host family;
- 24-hour worldwide professional emergency assistance;
- enrollment in school if your scholarship is for a year or semester program;
- assistance in acquiring your visa or residence permit if required;
- this web site and the 1-800-TEENAGE line staffed with friendly and
knowledgeable Admissions Counselors to answer all of your questions.
*Please note that YFU will designate a departure airport within 100 miles of your home. If you prefer,
it may be possible to fly from a more local airport for an additional cost. Contact your Admissions
Counselor if you have questions about domestic departure airports.
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General Scholarship Information
Please be sure to review the information on the individual
Scholarship Information Sheets carefully before completing
your application. Generally, the following information applies to most programs.
Program Dates
Year, semester, and summer scholarship dates correspond to YFU program
dates. See individual country pages for more information. Here is a
general outline of dates:
- Year programs begin in July, August, or September and end in June or July of the
following year (summer departure) or begin in January and end
in December or January (winter departure). Programs to Japan depart in March.
- Semester programs begin in July, August, or September and end in December of the
same year or January of the following year, except for programs to Japan which begin in
March and end in the summer.
- Summer programs begin in June or July and end in late July or early August of
the same year.
Country Selection
Many scholarships are designated for a specific country. Others allow you
to list several country choices. You should think carefully about which countries interest
you most.
YFU will make every effort to assign you to one of your top country
choices, but reserves the right to place you in any country specified by the scholarship
program for which you are applying. Please review the individual
Scholarship Information Sheets to determine the specific country options available for your scholarship program.
Academic Requirements
- For most year and semester programs, a "B" average or better
(3.0 on a 4.0 scale) is required.
- For summer programs, a "C" average or better
(2.0 on a 4.0 scale) is required; however, a 3.0 GPA or higher may be required in some cases.
Language Requirements
Most countries do not require previous language study. As a few countries do require previous language study, please consult
the individual country pages for eligibility requirements by selecting from the Countries drop-down menu on the left.
Age and Health Requirements
You must be between 15 and 18 years old and in good physical and emotional health.
Application Deadline
Most applications are due in December, although some have an October or January deadline. Your completed application must be postmarked
by the date indicated on the individual
Scholarship Information Sheets.
Application Fee
Many scholarships have an application fee. Please see the individual
Scholarship Information Sheets to determine if the scholarship you are applying for has a fee. Only
one application fee is required if you are applying for multiple scholarships.
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Scholarship Selection Process
Scholarships are awarded based on a comprehensive evaluation process. A selection
committee at the YFU USA national office reviews all written application materials. While your application is being reviewed, you will be called for an
interview.
Most finalists are selected and notified in April. Additional application materials may need to be
completed at this time. These materials will be forwarded to you from YFU and must be returned within a certain time frame in order to confirm finalist (winner)
status.
Selection as a Scholarship Winner
If you are selected as a scholarship winner, you will receive a
confirmation letter and a World Traveler Handbook that will provide detailed
information on everything from YFU policies to travel information.
Subsequent information will prepare you for your upcoming exchange
abroad, give you your host country assignment, provide you
with a series of YFU preparatory materials, give you airline tickets and your travel itinerary,
provide you with your host family placement
prior to your departure, and inform you of a pre-departure orientation.
Responsibilities
Unless otherwise specified on the individual
Scholarship Information Sheets, you and your family will be
responsible for passport and visa fees, excess luggage tariffs, any airport taxes,
required overseas medical insurance, optional program activities, and personal spending money.
In addition, certain scholarships are partial awards and do not cover the entire
program tuition. In the case of a partial award, the student's family is responsible for
the remaining amount of tuition. Check the individual Scholarship
Information Sheets to determine if the scholarship is
partial and, if so, the amount of the award. Scholarship recipients are not
eligible for discounts. Please keep in mind that, if selected, your
portion of the tuition will be due two weeks after notification.
Multiple Scholarships
Students may be eligible to apply for more than one scholarship program.
Applicants only need to complete one application for multiple scholarships.
Although students are encouraged to apply for as many scholarship programs
as they are eligible for, a maximum of one scholarship per student per
program year will be awarded.
If You Are Not Selected
Please remember that for most scholarship programs you are competing
with students from all over the US. Programs can be very competitive and only a limited number of
students can be selected each year. If you are not a recipient this year, you may reapply
next year so long as you are still eligible. All scholarship applicants who wish to participate in the YFU program regardless
of whether or not they win the scholarship are strongly encouraged to apply for the regular YFU Program.
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