Applications are welcomed from suitably qualified applicants who want to enroll in an undergraduate degree program in the USA to apply for the United States Government Youth Exchange and Study Scholarship 2025. The scholarship is available to students who want to live and study in the USA.
The U.S. Department of State in collaboration with the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program will provide full funding for successful applicants to cover visas, flights, accommodation, monthly stipends, and the costs of training materials.
SUMMARY:
- Scholarship Sponsor(s): U.S. Department of States
- Host Institution(s): Participating Universities in the USA
- Scholarship Type: Fully Funded
- Scholarship Worth: Not specified
- Number of Awards: Several
- Study Level: High School
- Nationality: Select Countries
Eligibility Criteria for the United States Government Youth Exchange and Study Scholarship 2025
To be considered for the U.S. Youth Exchange and Study Scholarship, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Be between the ages of 15-18 by the program’s start (August 15, 2025).
- Must be enrolled in a secondary school in the eligible country.
- Must have completed the JS3 class by August 2025.
- Have the equivalent of a B average or better without failing grades.
- Not have spent 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 a J-1 visa).
- Must be a citizen and resident in an eligible country.
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 eligibility information.
United States Government YES Scholarship Program Details:
Through the U.S. Department of State’s Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) program, high school students from countries with significant Muslim populations live and study for an academic year in the United States.
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.
The program officially launched in Nigeria in 2003 in hopes of expanding communication between the people of the United States and Nigeria to promote mutual understanding and respect. Since then, over 402 Nigerian students have completed the YES program and now participate as alumni.
Requirements for the United States Government Youth Exchange and Study Scholarship 2025
To be considered for the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program, you must:
- Be between the ages of 15-18 by the start of the 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.
Benefits of the United States Government Youth Exchange and Study Scholarship 2025
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.
- Application and Selection Criteria for the United States Government Youth Exchange and Study Scholarship 2025
There are multiple rounds to the YES application and selection process. All applicants are required to take an English proficiency exam, write a proctored essay, complete a YES program application, and participate in group and individual in-person interviews. All finalists are selected based on merit.
See below for country-specific application and selection guidelines.
There are multiple rounds to the YES selection process, the first of which is a pre-selection exam. The pre-selection exam, a Math and English test, serves as a screening tool as only candidates who score well on the test are invited to fill out the official YES application. For the 2025-2026 program year, the pre-selection exam will take place in November and we will be recruiting finalists and alternates in Gombe, Katsina, Kebbi, and Taraba states. Students interested in taking the pre-selection exam and meeting the eligibility requirements listed above should email IRIS Country Director, Dr. Saidu Yakubu at saiduyakubu@iris-center.org for specific dates and testing sites.
All YES finalists complete a YES program application, take an English proficiency exam, write a proctored essay, and participate in a group activity and individual in-person interviews.