Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Scholarship 2025 in USA

YES Scholarship (Youth Exchange and Study) Program: Do you dream of studying in the United States? The US Department of State is offering the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program to give young Nigerians the opportunity to study in the USA fully funded.

The Youth Exchange and Study Program covers the full participation costs of selected applicants for this opportunity including visa, flights, accommodation, monthly stipends, and the costs of training materials.

In this post, the full details of the eligibility, benefits, timeline, and application procedure will be provided.

YES Scholarship Abstract

Scholarship Host: United States Government
Study Abroad: Study Abroad || Study-In-USA
Location: United States of America (USA)
Category: Scholarships || High School Scholarships || Trainings
Benefits: Full ScholarshipTuition
Accommodation
Living Stipends
Visa + Flights
Medical Insurance
Eligibility: Nigeria
Deadline: December 15, 2024

US Government YES Scholarship Details

The United States Government YES Scholarship is for students from countries with significant Muslim populations to live and study for an academic year in the United States.

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.

The program officially launched in Nigeria in 2003 in hopes to expand communication between the people of the United States and Nigeria in order to promote mutual understanding and respect. Since then, over 402 Nigerian students have completed the YES program and now participate as alumni.

YES Scholarship Benefits

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.

2025 Youth Exchange and Study Program Requirements

To be eligible for the Youth Exchange and Study Program, applicants must satisfy the following conditions:

1. Be between the ages of 15-18 by the start of program (August 15, 2025);
2. Must be enrolled in a secondary school in Adamawa, Bauchi, Katsina, or Taraba states;
3. Must have completed JS3 class by August 2025;
4. Have the equivalent of a B average or better without failing grades;
5. Not have spent a total of more than 90 days in the U.S. in the last five years;
6. Meet U.S. J-1 visa eligibility requirements (for instance, U.S. citizens are not eligible for J-1 visa);
7. Be a resident and citizen of Nigeria.

How To Apply for US Government YES Scholarship

To apply for the YES Scholarship, follow the instructions we have outlined below; Read the information we have provided on this webpage and ensure your eligibility

1. There are multiple rounds to the YES selection process, the first of which is a pre-selection exam.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. Students who are interested in taking the pre-selection exam and who meet the eligibility requirements listed above should email IRIS Country Director, Dr. Saidu Yakubu at saiduyakubu@iris-center.org for specific dates and testing sites.
5. 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.

Deadline: December 15th, 2024