School outreach is designed to foster mutually beneficial relationships between AFS and local schools. To do that, it is important that AFS volunteers have resources that will help them have talking points about resources and opportunities that a school will see as beneficial to their community. Scholarships are a great way to open a dialogue with a school because AFS volunteers are not asking the school for anything, they're only sharing an opportunity for students in the local community.
Scholarships and Aid can be a discussion point at any point in the school year since AFS-USA is committed to making study abroad programs more accessible and affordable to high school students from all backgrounds who possess the unique qualities needed to succeed on our transformative programs. See the website to understand more about the scholarships and aid philosophy of AFS-USA.
Beyond the general scholarships and aid philosophy of the organization, AFS-USA is proud to be able to offer and promote a series of competitive scholarships that you can share with specific audiences during the each academic year. The deadlines are firm each year, so please make sure to share these with educators with enough time for them to share with students.
- Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) - Current high school students can apply to spend an academic year in Germany serving as a youth ambassador learning about global current affairs and German social, economic, and political life while they attend school and live with a host family. Applications are due November 1, 2024. Share this digital flyer with students!
- National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) - Current high school students can apply to spend a summer or academic year abroad focused on learning Indonesian, Persian (Tajiki), Turkish, Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), Korean, or Russian. They’ll attend school and enjoy cultural experiences in their host communities. Applications are due November 4, 2024. Here’s a poster that can be hung up or shared.
- Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Abroad - Current U.S. high school students can spend the academic year living with a host family and experiencing daily life and culture in Ghana, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Türkiye and other countries while developing leadership skills, intercultural competence, and an understanding of global interests shared across cultures. Applications are due on December 4, 2024. Share this digital flyer with students.
- American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) & AFS-USA Scholarship: French teachers who are members of the AATF are invited to nominate up to 3 students before November 24, 2024 for a $7,500 scholarship for a student to attend the France Summer Language Camp program for four weeks in July 2025. Both financial need and merit will be taken into consideration. Share this digital flyer with students.
- AFS Global STEM Academies - This is a full-scholarship, STEM and sustainability-focused study abroad program for young, active global citizens who are passionate about solving today’s biggest global challenges. Scholars participating will develop the skills needed to work in and advance a low-carbon energy system, while increasing their global awareness, and meeting peers from around the world. Applications open on November 15, 2024 and must be completed by January 2025.
- AFS Global STEM Accelerators - This is a full scholarship for a virtual program just for girls interested in STEM and sustainability. Problem solving, building analytical skills, developing global competencies, and collaborating with girls across the globe, these young women will be solving today’s biggest global challenges. Applications open in early 2025.
The hardest part of sharing these scholarships with schools is getting them to the right person at the school who has the authority to share them with students. Here are our suggestions for a recommended audience.
- CBYX - Share with German teachers, International or AFS Club sponsors, and school counselors
- NSLI-Y - Share with World Language teachers and Dept. Chairs, school counselors, club sponsors (international, AFS, K-Pop, or even affinity groups that align with the NSLI-Y languages)
- YES Abroad - Share with Social Studies teachers, school counselors, international clubs or affinity groups that align with the countries or faiths that align with the scholarship
- AATF/AFS-USA - Share with French teachers, International and AFS Club sponsors, and school counselors
- STEM Academies & STEM Accelerators - Share with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math teachers and Dept. Chairs, school counselors, school administrators, and STEM-oriented club sponsors
Sample Email Template:
Good day teacher name,
I'm reaching out with a scholarship that your students are likely eligible to apply for as a teacher/sponsor of name of class or club. I hope you will share this opportunity with the students and note that the deadline for them to apply is deadline. Below is a quick description of the scholarship along with the link to the website and a digital flyer that you can use to share in a way that is easiest for you!
Insert blurb from above or edit it as you see fit.
If you have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out! I'm excited to see students from my local community get access to this great opportunity to connect with the world at little to no expense on their part! It can truly change their life!
Thank you for being a life changer for our local students!
Your name