Is the NSLI-Y program right for you?
Before filling out the online application, review the eligibility requirements below and read more about the process of learning a language through immersion.
Eligibility Requirements:
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U.S. citizen
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Grade point average (GPA) of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, or the equivalent
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15-18 years of age at start of program (birthdate between July 15, 1994 and June 10, 1998 for summer programs; birthdate between September 30, 1994 and June 30, 1998 for academic year programs)
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Enrolled in high school at time of application
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Not an immediate family member of an employee of the U.S. Department of State who works in the Youth Programs Division of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs or an employee at a NSLI-Y administering organization whose duties involve the NSLI-Y program
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Have not previously traveled outside the U.S. on any Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Department of State sponsored exchange program (unless it was a NSLI-Y summer program)
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Previous NSLI-Y summer program participants are only eligible to apply for a NSLI-Y academic year program, unless there is no academic year program offered in that target language.
Eligibility Policy for American Outbound Youth Programs
The Youth Programs Division of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) seeks to make youth exchange programs funded by ECA available to a wide and diverse American audience. Also, ECA wants to prevent conflict of interest issues from arising with regard to Department employees who are involved in particular scholarships and exchange programs. Therefore, in addition to the specific requirements for each program, an applicant for ECA-funded youth exchange programs must meet the following eligibility criteria:
One Award per Participant
A candidate will be considered ineligible if s/he has previously traveled outside the United States on any ECA-funded program within the past three years or if s/he has accepted a scholarship for an impending U.S. Government-funded exchange program. Should an applicant be accepted for more than one ECA-funded youth program in this timeframe s/he must choose between the programs and select only one program in which to participate.
NSLI-Y Exception
An exception to the previous requirements is the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) program. Because the NSLI-Y program aims to generate competence in languages critical to national security, an applicant who has participated in a short-term (8 weeks or less) NSLI-Y program may be eligible for a second NSLI-Y scholarship. Refer to the specific NSLI-Y eligibility requirements for further guidelines at www.nsliforyouth.org. No applicant will be eligible for a third NSLI-Y program.
Family Members of U.S. Department of State Employees
Family members of employees of the Department whose official duties involve an ECA Youth Programs Division exchange program would be precluded from applying for that program. This is because there would be a conflict of interest or the appearance thereof if employees engage in official matters that affect the interests of their family members. In circumstances where a family member other than a spouse or dependent child wants to participate in a program where the employee has official duties, the appropriateness of the employee engaging in such matters should be discussed with a Department Ethics attorney.
Family Members of Affiliated Private Sector Employees
Family members of employees of ECA-funded implementers of grant programs and Department contractors whose official duties involve a particular ECA-funded youth exchange program are technically ineligible for that program. Family members include spouse and dependent children.
Click here to read additional eligibility criteria from the U.S. Department of State.
Previous language study is not a requirement. Students of all levels of language ability are encouraged to apply.
Students of all racial, ethnic, religious, and socio-economic backgrounds are encouraged to apply, as are students with disabilities.
U.S. Department of State Eligibility Policy for American Outbound Youth Programs
The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ (ECA) Youth Programs Division seeks to make youth exchange programs funded by ECA available to a wide and diverse American audience. All individuals applying for ECA-funded youth exchange programs must meet the following eligibility criteria:
Previous Participation
An applicant will be considered ineligible if s/he has previously traveled outside the United States on any ECA-funded program within the past three years or if s/he has accepted a scholarship for an impending U.S. Government-funded exchange program. NSLI-Y EXCEPTION: An exception to this requirement is the National Security Language Initiative for Youth Program (NSLI-Y). NSLI-Y programs aim to generate competence in languages critical to national security, therefore an applicant who has been on a U.S. Government-funded program, including a previous NSLI-Y program, is eligible to apply.
One Award Per Participant Per Year
Should an applicant be accepted for more than one ECA-funded program which takes place within the same calendar or an academic year, s/he must select only one program in which to participate.
Family Members of U.S. Department of State Employees
Family members of employees of the U.S. Department of State whose official duties involve an ECA Youth Programs Division exchange program are ineligible for that program. This is because there would be a conflict of interest or the appearance thereof if employees engage in official matters that affect the interests of their family members. In circumstances where a family member other than a spouse or dependent child wants to participate in a program where the employee has official duties, the appropriateness of the employee engaging in such matters should be discussed with a Department Ethics attorney. Family members include spouses and dependent children
Family Members of Affiliated Private Sector Employees
Family members of ECA-funded implementers of grant programs and U.S. Department of State contractors whose official duties involve a particular ECA-funded youth exchange program are technically ineligible for that program. Family members include spouses and dependent children.
Is language learning through an intensive immersion experience right for you?
The goal of the NSLI-Y program is to expose American youth to critical foreign languages and to spark a lifetime of interest in language learning. NSLI-Y aims to guide students toward using language in their university and professional careers and hopes to encourage young Americans to dedicate themselves to continued language learning far beyond their time on the program.
NSLI-Y scholars participate in intensive language courses on both summer and academic year programs. These intensive language courses are complemented by cultural immersion activities inside and outside of the classroom, including home-stays, excursions, and local community service projects. Successful NSLI-Y participants dedicate themselves to language acquisition through both formal and informal learning opportunities. Participants strive to succeed both academically, by improving their language skills, and culturally, by gaining an understanding and appreciation for a new way of life. Participants should expect to immerse themselves fully in the language and cultural experience; they should not expect to complete significant on-line academic work for their U.S. school while abroad.
Before deciding whether or not to apply, learn more about the program by exploring this website and speaking with other students via networking sites such as ExchangesConnect and Facebook. We encourage you to discuss this opportunity with your parents and teachers. You may also want to talk with your teachers and school administrators about the possibility of receiving academic credit for your NSLI-Y experience.
