ELIGIBILITY:

First-year international applicant in any field of study/major to a participating college or university. International applicant is an individual who holds citizenship in a country outside the U.S. and who does not also possess U.S. citizenship or permanent residency. 

Applicant demonstrates interest and initiative in promoting intercultural learning and exchange. 

Applicant meets the admission criteria and adheres to the deadlines at each college or university. Details will vary from school to school.  

Applicants must complete the YAWH scholarship application and a 500-1000 word essay or a two-to-five minute video* answering the following prompt:

“Tell us about your leadership skills in your school or community and how you plan to continue applying your leadership skills at the U.S. institution you are applying to.”

Timeline:

January 1, 2026 – Colleges and universities should confirm their participation in the academic year 2026 – 2027 scholarship campaign with NAFSA by submitting the sign-up form. 

Institution Deadlines (typically in Spring or Summer 2026) – Students should complete a #YouAreWelcomeHere scholarship application for each selected institution by the institutions’ deadline, including either an essay or multimedia submission explaining how they will apply their leadership skills in the campus community. 

September 1, 2026 – Colleges and universities should notify NAFSA of their institution’s scholarship recipients by submitting this form. More information will be sent directly to participating institutions. Please contact us with any questions. 

BENEFIT:

Participating colleges and universities will each offer two annual, renewable scholarships that cover a minimum of 50% tuition