Kennedy-Lugar YES Scholarship 2027 | Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program / U.S. Department of State | Brilliant Scholarship
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Kennedy-Lugar YES Scholarship 2027
Fully funded U.S. State Department exchange scholarship for eligible high school students to study a semester or year in America.
Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program / U.S. Department of State
Overview
The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program is a long-running international exchange scholarship sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, designed to bring high school-aged students from eligible countries to the United States for an academic semester or full year. Rather than funding university study, the YES Program places teenagers directly into American communities, where they attend a local high school and live with a carefully selected host family. The program is built around three core goals: cultural exchange, leadership development, and mutual understanding between the United States and countries with significant Muslim populations, since it was originally created in the aftermath of September 11 to build long-term bridges between young people. For students in participating countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, and several others, YES offers a rare opportunity to experience American daily life first-hand, improve English fluency in an immersive setting, and return home with new skills, perspectives, and a lasting international network — all without needing personal or family funds to cover the cost.
Scholarship Details
YES is a fully funded exchange program, meaning nearly every major cost associated with the experience is covered on behalf of selected students. This includes round-trip international airfare between the student's home country and the United States, tuition at the local host high school, and full room and board with the host family for the duration of the stay. Participants also receive a modest monthly stipend intended to cover personal expenses such as school supplies, transportation, and incidental costs. Program-related insurance is included, along with a structured calendar of educational and cultural activities designed to help students get the most out of their time abroad, both academically and socially. The program typically runs for either a full academic year or a single semester, depending on the placement and the participating country's specific arrangement, and it is not designed as a renewable scholarship — it is a one-time, immersive exchange experience rather than an ongoing funding source for further study.
Eligibility Requirements
Because YES operates through individual country programs, the exact eligibility requirements can vary somewhat by nation, but the core structure is broadly consistent. Using the Pakistan program as a representative example, applicants must be citizens and residents of the country in question, and must fall within a specific age range — typically 15 to 17 years old by a fixed reference date, such as January 1 of the year the program begins. Students must be currently enrolled in secondary school, generally in grades that correspond to 8th, 9th, or 10th grade, or the equivalent O-Level classes; students already in the final year of O-Levels are typically not eligible, since the program is designed for students who still have secondary schooling ahead of them after their exchange year. Academic performance matters as well: applicants are generally expected to maintain at least 60 percent marks in each academic year, along with at least 60 percent specifically in English, Mathematics, and Science subjects. A clean academic record is also important — applicants with failing grades in the past several years, or with a history of repeating or skipping an academic year, are typically disqualified from consideration. Beyond grades, the selection process places real weight on English communication ability, since students will be immersed in an English-speaking academic environment almost immediately upon arrival. Because the program is ultimately about representing one's country and culture to American host communities, selection committees also look for maturity, adaptability, and genuine curiosity about cultural exchange, since these traits often predict how well a student will adjust to life with a host family far from home.
Fields of Study & Programs
Unlike university-level scholarships, YES does not involve choosing an academic major or research field. Instead, participating students are enrolled in standard coursework at an American public or private high school, following whatever curriculum that particular school offers to its own students. This typically includes core subjects such as English, mathematics, science, and social studies, alongside elective courses that may range from art and music to computer science or physical education, depending on what the host school makes available. Many students use the opportunity to explore subjects or extracurricular activities that are less accessible back home, such as competitive sports, drama, debate, or student government, since American high schools often place strong emphasis on extracurricular participation as part of the overall educational experience. The program does not lead to a diploma or formal degree from the American institution; instead, it functions as an enriching academic and cultural year that students bring back into their existing secondary education pathway once they return home.
Participating Universities
Because YES is a secondary-school exchange rather than a university scholarship, there is no single host institution or list of participating universities in the traditional sense. Instead, students are placed individually across a wide range of public and private high schools throughout the United States, chosen based on host family location, school capacity, and program logistics. Host families and schools are spread across many different states and communities, which means two students from the same home country in the same program year might end up having very different experiences depending on whether they are placed in a large city, a suburban town, or a smaller rural community. This diversity is, in many ways, intentional: the program aims to expose participants to a broad and realistic cross-section of American life rather than concentrating placements in a handful of major metropolitan areas. Host families undergo a screening and preparation process before being matched with a student, and local exchange organizations typically provide ongoing support throughout the year to both the student and the host family to help manage the adjustment period.
How to Apply
The application process for the YES Program begins with visiting the official YES Programs website to check the latest country-specific announcement and confirm that applications are currently open for the student's home country. From there, prospective applicants should carefully review the eligibility criteria relevant to their country, paying close attention to age cutoffs, required grade level, and minimum academic marks, since even strong candidates can be disqualified on a technicality if these details are overlooked. The core application itself typically requires a completed application form with accurate personal and academic information, recent academic records or transcripts, and various supporting documents establishing citizenship and eligibility. Many country programs also require a written essay or personal statement, which is often completed under proctored or timed conditions rather than submitted as a polished take-home piece, meaning applicants should practice writing clearly and persuasively within a limited time rather than relying on extensive editing. An English proficiency assessment is generally part of the selection process as well, since strong communication skills are essential for success in an American classroom. Applicants who pass the initial screening stages are usually invited to an interview, which gives selection committees a chance to evaluate maturity, motivation, and overall fit for a year-long exchange experience away from home. Because the process is genuinely competitive, students preparing to apply should start well before the deadline: gathering academic records early, practicing English conversation and writing, and thinking carefully about how to articulate their own story and motivations in both written and interview formats. Parents and guardians are typically involved in the application process as well, since living abroad with a host family requires family support and understanding of what the program involves.
Deadlines & Important Dates
Deadlines for the YES Program vary by country, since each nation's local partner organization manages its own timeline within the broader framework set by the U.S. Department of State. For programs beginning in the following school year, several countries have deadlines clustered around mid-September, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Pakistan, each with deadlines around September 15. Other countries, such as Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, and Malaysia, have deadlines expected in September as well, though the exact date is typically confirmed locally closer to the application window opening. Given this pattern, students interested in applying should begin monitoring their country's official YES Program channels during the summer months, well ahead of the September deadline window, so they have adequate time to gather documents, prepare for assessments, and complete the application without last-minute pressure.
Life as a Scholar
Life as a YES exchange student is built around full immersion in an American household and school community rather than a more insulated international-student experience. Students typically arrive shortly before the start of the American school year and spend their first weeks adjusting to a new time zone, new food, new classroom norms, and an entirely new family dynamic. Host families are expected to treat exchange students as a member of the household, which means participating in everyday routines, chores, and family activities rather than being treated as a guest. Many students describe the experience as intense in the early months and increasingly comfortable as the year progresses, particularly as English fluency improves and friendships form at school. Local support networks, often coordinated through the exchange organization managing the placement, provide check-ins throughout the year, help resolve any issues that arise with the host family or school, and organize occasional group activities that bring together exchange students from different countries placed in the same region. By the end of the program, most participants report significant gains not just in English language ability but in independence, adaptability, and confidence navigating unfamiliar situations — skills that often carry directly into their continued education back home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the YES Program open to all nationalities? No, the program is only open to students from specific eligible countries designated under the U.S. Department of State's exchange framework.
Does the program cover all costs? Yes, YES is a fully funded program covering airfare, host family placement, high school tuition, a monthly stipend, and program-related insurance.
What age do I need to be to apply? Eligibility requirements vary slightly by country, but applicants are generally required to be 15 to 17 years old by a fixed date, such as January 1 of the intake year.
Can O-Level students in their final year apply? In several country programs, including Pakistan, students in the final O-Level year are not eligible, since the program is meant for students continuing secondary school after their exchange year.
Is the selection process competitive? Yes, selection is competitive and includes academic screening, an English proficiency assessment, a written essay, and an interview.
Will I receive a diploma from the American school? No, the program does not award a diploma; students return to their home country's education system after completing the exchange year.
Final Thoughts
For eligible high school students who are curious about the world beyond their home country, the Kennedy-Lugar YES Program offers an unusually direct and fully funded path into American daily life, built not around a classroom lecture but around genuine, sustained cultural exchange. It asks a lot of participants — independence, adaptability, and comfort stepping far outside familiar surroundings — but for those ready to take it on, the rewards in language ability, confidence, and lifelong international friendships are substantial. Students considering the program should start preparing early, take the eligibility criteria seriously, and approach the application process as an opportunity to genuinely reflect on what they hope to learn from a year spent living as part of an American family and community.
Award Amount
Fully funded: round-trip airfare, high school tuition, host family boarding, monthly stipend, and insurance
Payment: Total Program
Deadline
2026-09-15
Deadlines vary by participating country; several countries (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Pakistan) have a September 15, 2026 deadline, while others (Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia) confirm exact dates locally in September 2026
Duration
One academic semester or one academic year in the United States, depending on country placement
Renewable
No
About This Scholarship
The Kennedy-Lugar YES Scholarship 2027 is a fully funded U.S. Department of State exchange program for high school students from eligible countries. Selected students spend a semester or academic year in the United States, attending a local high school and living with a host family. The program covers round-trip airfare, tuition, boarding, a monthly stipend, and insurance. Eligibility varies by country but generally requires applicants to be 15–17 years old, enrolled in specific secondary school grades, and maintaining at least 60% academic marks including in English, Mathematics, and Sciences. Selection includes an English proficiency assessment, a proctored essay, and an interview. Deadlines vary by country, clustering around mid-September 2026 for several nations including Pakistan.
Eligible Study Levels
High School
Available Countries
United States
Eligibility Requirements
Must be a citizen and resident of a participating country
Must be 15–17 years old by a fixed reference date (e.g., January 1 of the intake year)
Must be currently enrolled in secondary school (generally grades 8–10 or equivalent O-Level classes)
O-Level students in their final year are generally not eligible under some country programs
Must have at least 60% marks in each academic year
Must have at least 60% marks in English, Mathematics, and Sciences
Academic Requirements
Minimum GPA: At least 60% overall and in English, Mathematics, and Sciences
Language Requirements:
English proficiency assessment as part of the selection process
Application Process
1Review the official YES Program website for the latest country-specific application announcement
2Check eligibility carefully, including age, grade level, marks, and citizenship requirements
3Complete the YES application form with accurate information
4Take the required English proficiency assessment
5Write the required proctored essay
6Attend an interview if shortlisted
7Await final merit-based selection
Required Documents
Completed Application Form*Required
Official YES Program application form
Academic Records*Required
Recent school transcripts and marks
Proof of Eligibility*Required
Citizenship and residency documentation
Additional Benefits
Round-trip international airfare
School tuition
Boarding and lodging with a host family
Monthly stipend for personal expenses
Program-related support and insurance
Educational and cultural activities
About the AuthorActive ApplicantUniversity Graduate
I'm a university graduate currently navigating the world of scholarship applications. I run this blog as an active, personal database of opportunities I'm researching — every listing here is one I've evaluated myself. My goal is to help fellow students cut through the noise and find funding that actually fits their profile.
📚 Researched & curated by a current applicant · Updated regularly
