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Scholarships & Financial Aid

AFS will move to a new system of awarding most need and merit-based scholarships for programs departing in 2009. We will begin accepting applications in August. Please refer back to the main scholarships page mid-July 2008 for detailed information on how to apply for need and merit-based scholarships for programs beginning in 2009. If you have not already, we encourage you to take the first step now and submit a preliminary application. Thank you for your patience!

AFS-USA gratefully acknowledges our lead sponsors of the National Global Enrichment Scholars Diversity Initiative: Bardoli; Capital Group Companies, Inc.; DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund; DeWitt Wallace/ Youth Travel Enrichment Fund at The New York Community Trust; Linden Foundation; One World Now; Prudential Foundation; Summer Search Foundation; and Victoria Foundation.


Scholarship NameGeographic AvailabilityCriteriaAwards
Abington Foundation Global Enrichment ScholarshipCleveland, OHNeed-based based awards for any program. Primarily awarded to students of color. Contact local AFS Volunteer to learn more.5-7 awards, typically of $3000
AFS FamilyNationalAwarded to children of AFS Returnees and AFS Host Families who have hosted more than once. To receive award, please inform your Advisor of your AFS Family connection.$250
AFS Global ScholarsNationalNeed-based awards for students who are willing to let AFS choose their destination. Awards not given for Western Europe, Japan, Australia, or New Zealand.5 – 6 awards of $500 – $1000
Allensworth ScholarshipNationalNeed and merit-based awards for any high school program or summer program.1-3 awards, typically of $1000 – $2000
Annette Kade Charitable Trust ScholarshipNationalNeed and merit-based awards for the high school year programs in France and Germany. Applicants should have strong academic record and commitment to community service.10 – 14 awards of $1500
Arkansas ScholarshipArkansasNeed and merit-based award toward any high school year program. Contact local AFS Volunteer to learn more.One award; typically $5000
Awards for ExcellenceNationalMerit-based awards for any AFS program. Nominations due Dec 4. 110 partial ($1000 – $2500) & 10 full tuition awards
Beaver Kill ScholarshipNationalNeed and merit-based award for any high school year or semester program.One award; typically $5000
Blue Scope Steel Corporate ScholarshipNationalScholarship for year program in Australia or New Zealand open to children of Blue Scope Steel employees. Interested students should speak with AFS Advisor by early Oct 9 for the following academic year. Candidates from U.S. compete against candidates from Mexico & Canada. Full tuition award. No more than one.
Bryne Lunde Memorial ScholarshipWestern StatesNeed-based awards for male students. Preference to students from Oregon.1 – 2 awards, typically of $2000
Cargill Global Exchange Fund ScholarshipAvailable in select areas across the countryMerit-based awards for high school year or semester programs in select Latin American and Asian destinations. Nominations due Dec 4. Speak to your AFS Advisor or call our Info Center to see if this scholarship is available in your community. 12 awards of $1,500 – $4,000
Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange programCT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, OH, PA, RI, & VTMerit-based awards for high school year program in Germany. Special scholarship application must be submitted by December 17.50 full tuition awards
Dee Welles Endowed ScholarshipChicago metro areaNeed-basedOne modest award
Dorothy Field Endowment NationalNationalNeed-based awards for young women who exhibit energy, curiosity, and intrepid spirit.1-3 awards, typically of $750
Elita Hawley EndowmentCentral CaliforniaContact local AFS Volunteer to learn more.Partial
Elizabeth Simmons EndowmentDecatur, IllinoisNeed-based awardsOne modest award
Evonik International High School Scholarship ProgramNationalScholarship for year in France, China, or Germany open to children of Evonik employees. Must be between 16 & 18 years at departure. Scholarships awarded by AFS Germany; U.S. candidates compete against candidates from abroad. Interested students should submit the full application to go abroad and speak to an AFS Advisor by January 8 (for the following academic year).Full tuition award. No more than one.
Ford PAS Global Exchange ScholarshipNationally available in Ford PAS schoolsCompetitive summer-program scholarships for students participating in Ford Partnership for Advanced Studies at their schools. Nominations due January 13.5 awards of $3000 or more
Foresta Hodgson-Wood Memorial TrustWestern StatesNeed-based scholarships awarded to students with a demonstrated interest in the arts.2 – 3 awards of $750 – $1000
General Financial AidNationalNeed-based. Flexibility about destination is favored. There are few, if any, awards for programs in Western Europe, Australia, Japan, and New ZealandTypically $300 – $750
Henry Ford Academy ScholarshipDetroitNeed-based scholarships for students who attend the Henry Ford Academy. Contact local AFS Volunteer to learn more.1 – 3 awards, typically of $2000 – $5000
Hulings EndowmentMinnesotaNeed-based awards2 – 3 awards of $750 – $1000
Inner City Scholarship FundNew York CityNeed based awards for students of color attending NYC Catholic High Schools: La Salle Academy; St. Agnes HS; St. Pious HS; Cathedral HS; Academy of Mt. St. Ursula; Aquinas HS; Rice HS; St. Raymond’s Girls School; St. Raymond’s Boys School; All Hallows HS 7 – 10 awards, typically of $1000 – $2500
LCW Greater ChicagoChicagoNeed-based award for student of colorOne modest award
James A. Macdonald Global Enrichment ScholarshipNationalNeed based2 awards of $1000 – $2000
Lincoln S. Harris EndowmentNationalNeed and merit-based awards3 – 5 awards, typically of $750 – $1250
Maine ScholarshipMaineNeed and merit-based. Contact local AFS Volunteer to learn more. Partial
Massachusetts Endowed ScholarshipMassachusettsNeed basedOne modest award
Milwaukee Foundation ScholarshipMilwaukeeContact local AFS Volunteer to learn more.Partial
Minnesota AFS FundMinnesotaNeed basedOne modest award
Morris Stein ScholarshipNew JerseyMerit or need based awards for students from Bergen County.1 – 5 awards of $500 – $2000
Nathan Family ScholarshipOregonNeed based1 – 2 awards of $2500
Orca Scholarship FundGreater Puget Sound areaContact local AFS Volunteer to learn more.Partial
Peregrine Sponsored ScholarsMinnesotaNeed, merit, and diversity all considered.8 – 12 awards, typically of $1000 – $2500
Repka-Kendall ScholarshipMontanaNeed based1 – 2 awards of $500 – $1500
Rinker Materials AFS Employee Family Scholars InitiativeNationalScholarship for year program in Australia open only to children of Rinker Materials employees. Interested students should submit the full application to go abroad and speak to an AFS Advisor by January 8 (for the following academic year).Full tuition award. No more than one.
Rosette King Leslie EndowmentNationalNeed-based awards for students with demonstrated interest in volunteerism and intercultural learning.5 awards of $500 – $1000
Stephen Galatti ScholarshipNationalMerit-based awards for students who with some financial need. Applicants must demonstrate a strong interest in building a more just and peaceful world (AFS’s mission).5 – 7 awards of $500 – $1000
Susan Martin EndowmentMarylandNeed basedOne modest award
Thomas Reveley Scholarship FundNationalNeed-based award for semester or year in New Zealand.1 – 2 awards; $1500 – $3000
Toshiyuki Tanaka US Embassy ScholarshipNationalCompetitive, merit & need-based award for year in Japan (departs in March). Japanese language background required. Students born in Japan not eligible. Winners selected by AFS Japan. Full application with scholarship essays and financial aid application due October 2.One full tuition award
TRUMPF Employee Family ScholarshipNationalScholarship for year in Germany; open to children of TRUMPF employees living in any TRUMPF operating community. Click here to learn more.
Vennum EndowmentMinnesotaNeed-based awards.Up to 3 awards of up to $750
Western Global Enrichment Scholars Diversity Initiative Western statesNeed-based awards for students from diverse backgrounds.8 – 10 awards; typically $2000
World Citizen ScholarshipNationalCompetitive, merit-based scholarship for year in Japan (departs in March). Japanese language background required. Students born in Japan not eligible. Winners selected by AFS Japan. Full application with scholarship essays due October 2. Click here to learn more.1 – 3 awards; typically $750
Yoshi Hattori Memorial Scholarship FundNationalCompetitive, merit-based scholarship for year in Japan (departs in March). Japanese language background required. Students born in Japan not eligible. Winners selected by AFS Japan. Full application with scholarship essays due October 2. One full tuition award