Fully FundedShort ProgrammeUnited StatesFully Funded
Kennedy-Lugar YES Program in the USA (Fully Funded High School Exchange)
Apply NowProgram Overview
The Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) programme is run by the United States Department of State. High school students from selected countries live with an American host family and attend an American high school. They gain leadership skills and take part in activities to learn about the United States.
Applicants compete through a merit-based selection process in their own country. Each country's partner organisation sets its own dates, so no single deadline is shown here.
In Pakistan the programme is run with the Society for International Education (iEARN Pakistan). Its latest round was for the Spring Semester 2027, from January to June 2027, and closed on 15 September 2026. It was open to students aged 15 to 17 in grades 8 to 10 or O Levels. The next round has not been announced. This page was last checked against the US Embassy and YES Pakistan websites on 7 October 2026.
Key Information
Host Country
United States
Funding Type
Fully Funded
English Requirement
Varies — check program requirements
Eligible Nations
High school students from YES countries
Category
Fully Funded
Applications Open
Set by each country. Pakistan: the Spring 2027 round closed on 15 September 2026
Status
Accepting Applications
Scholarship Benefits
Placement with a host family in the United States
A place at an American high school
Leadership and community activities during the exchange
The programme website lists the costs that are covered
Eligibility Criteria
- A high school student in a YES country
- Meet the age and school-year rules for your country
- Pass the merit-based selection process run in your country
- Pakistan (Spring 2027 round): aged 15 to 17 on 1 January 2027
- Pakistan: in grade 8, 9 or 10, or O Levels, at a secondary school in Pakistan
- Pakistan: Pakistani citizen living in Pakistan, with no second nationality, who has never travelled to the USA
- Pakistan: not eligible if a parent or sibling is a YES alumnus or works on the programme
Guides for this scholarship
How Applications Are Evaluated
Each scholarship provider uses its own selection criteria. Applicants should review the official scholarship guidelines for the specific criteria used to evaluate applications.
Required Documents
Requirements differ by country. The items below are for Pakistan
Application form filled in online, printed in black and white and signed by hand
The supporting documents named in the YES Pakistan application guide
The signed application sent by post or courier to the Society for International Education in Karachi
How to Apply
1
Find your country on the YES programme website and contact its partner organisation
2
In Pakistan the programme is run with the Society for International Education (iEARN Pakistan), through yesprogram.pk
3
Fill in the form online, print it and sign it by hand
4
Post or courier it to the Society for International Education, 88-H, P.E.C.H.S., Block 6, Karachi
5
Shortlisted applicants take an English exam, write a supervised essay, complete a full application and attend an interview
6
The Pakistan round for the Spring Semester 2027 (January to June 2027) closed on 15 September 2026. The next round is not announced
Ready to Submit?
Ensure you have reviewed all requirements and gathered your documents before starting the application.
Official Application WebsiteFrequently Asked Questions
It varies by program and by your previous education. Some providers accept other English tests, and some waive the test if your earlier degree was taught in English. Check the official program requirements before you apply.
There is no single deadline. Dates are set by each university, office or vacancy, so check the official website for the date that applies to you.
Most universities allow you to apply with a "Hope Certificate" or provisional transcript if you are in your final semester, provided you graduate before the intake starts.
This varies by university. Many fully funded scholarships cover or waive application fees, but some may still require an initial processing fee. Refer to the official guidelines.
For PhD and some Master's programs, securing an acceptance letter from a professor is often mandatory. For undergraduate programs, it is usually not required.
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