Youth For Understanding USA
Study Abroad Header Image
Your scholarship may just be a few clicks away.
  • Select a Scholarship

  • Region/Country

    Program Length

  • Location of Student

    Scholarship Amount

Show me my options >

YFU offers over 200 full and partial merit-based scholarships and needs-based financial aid to students every year.

To be considered for scholarship awards, students must meet the eligibility requirements listed on the individual Scholarship Information pages below and demonstrate characteristics like flexibility, tolerance and open-mindedness. In addition to the standard application and fee (if required), students also need to submit essay responses, a host family introduction letter and teacher recommendations by the scholarship deadline. Students can apply for multiple scholarships and pay only one fee.

Through the generosity of numerous corporations, governments, foundations and individuals, YFU awards more than $2.3 million in partial or full study abroad scholarships annually. Students are encouraged to consider all of their scholarship options and apply to as many as they qualify for by the December 1 scholarship application deadline!

Alexander Voigt Memorial Scholarship

YFU Scholarship Information Sheet

At a Glance

Application Deadline

Program Length


February 15

- School Year (summer departure)

Eligible Countries

Please refer to individual country pages for program duration and departure times.

The Alexander Voigt Memorial Scholarship honors the life of Alex Voigt, who was an international exchange student from Germany to St. Cloud, MN in 2014. He attended Technical High School, where he made his mark as a member of both the soccer and track teams. Known for his compassion, aptitude and adventurous spirit, Alex was a bright and charismatic young man. While participating in an aerial tour over his adopted city, during the final week of his exchange in June, Alex was taken in a fatal crash. His family, so touched by the outpouring of support they received from the St. Cloud and YFU communities, and as strong believers in the importance of studying abroad, has funded this scholarship in their son’s honor. Finalists for the scholarship will be reviewed by a board of St. Cloud representatives chaired by Mayor Dave Kleis who was Alexander’s host father while in MN, together with the Voigt/Jetter Family.

Scholarship Amount

  • This is a full scholarship.

Eligibility

  • The Alexander Voigt Memorial Scholarship offers the opportunity for a high school student from St. Cloud, MN (preference will be given to applicants from Technical High School) to spend a year as an exchange student in Germany. No previous language experience is required. Students who have previously participated in a semester or year exchange in another country are not eligible for the Germany programs and scholarships.
  • To be eligible, you must:
    • Be a U.S. citizen, national or permanent resident
    • Have a GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale
    • Be a high school student in St. Cloud, MN

Age Requirements

  • Students must meet the age requirements listed on the Germany country page.

Complete Application Includes:

  • Complete Online Application
  • Host Family Letter
  • Health Certificate
  • Parent-student agreement
  • School Certificate
  • 1 Teacher Recommendation
  • 3 Short Answer Essay Questions
  • 5 Candid photos
  • 1 Profile Picture (headshot)

 

Application Fee

  • $75 Nonrefundable YFU Application Fee (paid directly to YFU)

Scholarship Covers:

  • Round-trip travel (domestic & international)
  • Placement with a carefully selected host family
  • School Placement
  • Local pre-departure orientation for recipient and parents
  • National pre-departure orientation for recipient
  • Preparatory materials
  • 24 hour student support services in host country
  • Opportunity to meet with the Voigt/Jetter Family who are sponsoring the scholarship
  • Medical insurance coverage – PLEASE NOTE: It is not recommended that selected students discontinue their current coverage while abroad.

Scholarship Recipients are Responsible for:

  • Passport
  • Visa fees (if necessary)
  • Any excess luggage tariffs
  • Personal spending money
  • Communication with the Voigt/Jetter Family while on program
  • Final program report and photos, due withing one month of return, detailing the exchange experience that will be shared with the Voigt/Jetter Family

 

 

 

 

 

 

PLEASE KEEP A COPY OF THIS PAGE AND YOUR APPLICATION MATERIALS FOR YOUR REFERENCE.

 

 

If applying for multiple scholarships, please indicate each scholarship's name and code on your application. All scholarship recipients are required to travel on the YFU group travel dates, and to complete the entire program. For more information regarding YFU and the scholarship selection process call 1.800.TEENAGE or refer to the Scholarships Overview section of this web site.

APPLY NOW!