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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!

World Affairs Council of Northern California

YFU Scholarship Information Sheet

At a Glance

Application Deadline

Program Length


December 1

- Summer

- Fall Semester

- School Year (summer departure)

Eligible Countries

Please refer to individual country pages for program duration and departure times.
* Previous language study may be required.

Scholarship Amount

  • $4,000 towards a YFU summer program, or $4,300 towards a YFU academic semester or  year program. Scholarship recipients are responsible for the remainder of the program tuition (please see individual country pages for program availability and tuition information).

Eligibility

  • The World Affairs Council of Northern California is pleased to offer up to three scholarships of $4,000 (for summer programs) or $4,300 (for semester and academic year programs) to local high school students to study abroad through the Youth for Understanding program. Available programs include any YFU year, semester, or summer program listed with a departure date in the summer or fall of 2015.
  • Open to high school students in Northern California. Students must hold a 3.0 grade point average or better on a 4.0 scale. No prior foreign language study is required, except for French-speaking Belgium, Chile, France, Spain, and Switzerland.
  • All applicants must be available to attend an in-person interview day at the World Affairs Council headquarters in San Francisco in April of . 

Age Requirements

  • Applicant must meet the age requirements listed on specific country pages.

Complete Application Includes:

  • Complete Online Application
  • 1 Teacher Recommendation
  • Host Family Letter
  • 3 Short Answer Essay Questions
  • $75 Application Fee (non-refundable)
  • Health Certificate
  • Parent-student agreement
  • 5 Candid photos
  • Passport-style (headshot) photo
  • One Scholarship Specific Essay (See below)
  • One Activity or Work Supervisor's Report (See online application)

 

 

 

 

Application Fee

  • $75 (non-refundable). Please make checks payable to YFU.

Scholarship Covers:

  • Round-trip international travel
  • Round-trip domestic travel
  • Placement with a carefully selected host family
  • Regional orientation for scholarship recipients and parents
  • Preparatory materials
  • Support services in host country

Scholarship Recipients are Responsible for:

  • Passport
  • Visa fees (if necessary)
  • Any excess luggage tariffs
  • Required overseas medical insurance (many insurance policies will cover students while traveling abroad)
  • Personal spending money
  • A one-page reflection and photos on their experiences abroad for the World Affairs Council. This report will be due within 2 months of the recipient's return home.
  • Upon returning home, scholarship winners are expected to complete at least one presentation in their school or community to share their experiences, teach others about the culture in their host country, and encourage other students to participate in foreign exchange.
  • Tuition balance not covered by scholarship, due two weeks after award notification.

Scholarship-specific Essay:

Please submit an essay answering the following question with your completed application. The World Affairs Council's Education Program engages high school and university students to develop the international leaders and global citizens of tomorrow. In an essay of no more than 500 words, please explain why you are interested in studying in your first choice country. Please only write about your first choice country.

 

NOTE:

  • All applicants will be notified of their status in April.

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.

 

Note: Scholarship programs are subject to change or cancellation without prior notice.

APPLY NOW!