Application Deadline: December 15, 2024
LOCATION: USA
High school students from countries with significant Muslim populations live and study for an academic year in the United States through the U.S. Department of State’s Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program. YES students serve as “youth ambassadors” of their home country, promoting mutual understanding by forming lasting relationships with their host families and communities. Participants live with a host family, attend an American high school, acquire leadership skills, and engage in activities to learn about U.S. society and values; they also help educate Americans about their home country and culture.
ELIGIBILITY:
In keeping with the U.S. Government-sponsored initiatives, dedicated to democratic reform, the competition for the Youth Exchange and Study scholarship is merit-based and open at no cost to all applicants who meet the following requirements:
Be between the ages of 15-18 by the start of program (August 15, 2025);
Must be enrolled in a secondary school in Adamawa, Bauchi, Katsina, or Taraba states;
Must have completed JS3 class by August 2025;
Have the equivalent of a B average or better without failing grades;
Not have spent a total of more than 90 days in the U.S. in the last five years;
Meet U.S. J-1 visa eligibility requirements (for instance, U.S. citizens are not eligible for J-1 visa);
Be a resident and citizen of Nigeria.
Notice on Secondary School Completion Applicants who have completed or graduated from any secondary school before the start of the 2025-26 program year are not eligible for a YES scholarship. This applies to all program countries.
Students with Disabilities: The program can support students with disabilities and encourages their participation. The Department of State and the YES program work with Mobility International (MIUSA) to provide students with disabilities leadership-building workshops, appropriate information and support as needed to enhance their year in America. Students with disabilities must also meet the above eligibility requirements. Applicants with disabilities are encouraged to contact their YES office for information on eligibility.
BENEFIT:
The YES scholarship covers costs related to:
round-trip airfare from your home country to the United States;
the cost of a Pre-Departure Orientation;
placement with a U.S. host family for 10 to 11 months;
a modest monthly stipend;
health insurance; and
the cost of program activities and materials.
