Overview
The Kennedy-Lugar YES Program is offered at the secondary / high school level :
Programme type: A secondary/high school exchange program, not a university degree program.
Description
The Kennedy-Lugar YES Program is offered at the secondary / high school level :
Programme type: A secondary/high school exchange program, not a university degree program.
Who can apply: Students currently enrolled in secondary school in one of the participating countries.
Typical age range: Around 15-17 years at the time of application.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Kennedy-Lugar YES Scholarship, applicants must:
Nationality and residence: Be a citizen and resident of a participating country.
Student status: Be a secondary school student of eligible age at the time of application — check the country-specific page at yesprograms.org for exact age and grade requirements.
English proficiency: Demonstrate strong English language skills.
Academic standing: Be in good academic standing at their current school.
Exchange commitment: Be willing to live with a host family and attend a U.S. public or private high school for the full program duration.
Selection: Merit-based through a competitive, multi-stage process (application, interview, and English test). No application fee is charged.
Additional Information
Degree Level
The Kennedy-Lugar YES Program is offered at the secondary / high school level :
Programme type: A secondary/high school exchange program, not a university degree program.
Who can apply: Students currently enrolled in secondary school in one of the participating countries.
Typical age range: Around 15-17 years at the time of application.
Available Subjects
The YES Program is not subject-specific . Instead, participants take part in:
Regular U.S. high school classes
Community service activities
Leadership development
Civic education activities
Benefits
The Kennedy-Lugar YES Program is fully funded and covers:
Round-trip airfare to and from the United States
Host family placement with a screened volunteer host family
Monthly stipend for personal expenses
School enrollment at a U.S. high school
Health and accident coverage for the duration of the exchange
Orientation, leadership, and cultural programming throughout the program
Eligible Nationalities
The programme is open to secondary school students from participating countries, including:
Bangladesh
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Egypt
India
Indonesia
Kosovo
Malaysia
North Macedonia
Pakistan
Other countries of strategic importance to the United States
Check yesprograms.org for the current list of participating countries.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Kennedy-Lugar YES Scholarship, applicants must:
Nationality and residence: Be a citizen and resident of a participating country.
Student status: Be a secondary school student of eligible age at the time of application — check the country-specific page at yesprograms.org for exact age and grade requirements.
English proficiency: Demonstrate strong English language skills.
Academic standing: Be in good academic standing at their current school.
Exchange commitment: Be willing to live with a host family and attend a U.S. public or private high school for the full program duration.
Selection: Merit-based through a competitive, multi-stage process (application, interview, and English test). No application fee is charged.
Application Procedure
Follow these steps to apply for the Kennedy-Lugar YES Program:
Visit yesprograms.org and select your country from the homepage.
Check country-specific details: Each country's implementing partner sets its own deadlines and instructions.
Apply online through your country's implementing partner.
Submit the required materials: Application form, essays, academic records, and references.
Attend the interview if shortlisted.
Take the English assessment as part of the shortlisting stage.
Frequently Asked Questions Faqs
What is the Kennedy-Lugar YES Scholarship? The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program is a fully funded U.S. government exchange scholarship for secondary school students. Selected students spend an academic year in the United States, living with a volunteer host family, attending a U.S. high school, and taking part in community service, leadership, and civic education activities.
Who can apply for the YES Program? Applicants must: Be a citizen and resident of a participating country Be a secondary school student of eligible age (typically around 15-17 — check your country page for exact age and grade rules) Demonstrate strong English proficiency Be in good academic standing Be willing to live with a host family and attend a U.S. high school for the full program duration
Which countries are eligible for the YES Program? The programme is open to students from participating countries, including Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Kosovo, Malaysia, North Macedonia, Pakistan, and other countries of strategic importance to the United States. Always check yesprograms.org for the current list of participating countries.
Is the YES Program fully funded? Yes. The scholarship covers: Round-trip airfare to and from the United States Placement with a screened volunteer host family A monthly stipend for personal expenses Enrollment at a U.S. high school Health and accident coverage Orientation, leadership, and cultural programming
Is there an application fee for the YES Program? No. There is no application fee. The YES Program is a merit-based U.S. government scholarship and applications are free of charge. Be cautious of any website, agent, or email that asks for payment to apply.
How do I apply for the Kennedy-Lugar YES Scholarship? Apply through your country's implementing partner: Visit yesprograms.org and select your country from the homepage. Check the country-specific deadlines and instructions. Complete the online application form. Submit essays, academic records, and references. Attend an interview and take an English assessment if shortlisted.
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Card
Funding
Fully Funded
Degree
Non-Degree
Subjects
All Subjects
Nationality
High School Students
Country
USA
Source
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