YES Exchange Program (Fully Funded) USA

Students interested in exchange programs in the USA should now get ready to witness and apply for the wonderful opportunity that emerged in the United States of America for them. Through the United States Department of State’s Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program, high school students from specific countries packed with significant Muslim populations reside and study in the U.S. for an academic year. Those who are chosen for the program are called YES students, and they serve as youth ambassadors of their home country, promoting mutual understanding by forming lasting rapport (relationships) with their host families and communities. The program is available presently in 37 countries. Here, the information is offered for Pakistan. If so far, you have developed an interest in the program, you may learn the details about the YES Exchange Program next in this article.

Information Regarding the YES Exchange Program

For the YES Exchange Program for Pakistan, the successful participants will live with a host family in the United States, attend an American high school, obtain leadership skills, and engage in activities to learn about American (U.S.) society and values. These participants will also help educate Americans about their culture and home country. There is a rigorous merit-based selection procedure for the YES scholarships for which the applicants will compete.

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The chosen students will be enrolled for a full academic year at different high schools in the U.S. They will attend classes and participate in extracurricular activities with their classmates in the U.S. These exchange students will participate in special enrichment activities, including youth leadership training, community service, and other activities that help them learn more about the culture of the United States. Additionally, chosen candidates (students) will serve as cultural ambassadors in their host communities by sharing their vibrant culture and educating Americans about Pakistan. This is going to be among the best exchange programs in the USA for international students (in this case, Pakistani students).

To conduct this exchange program, the U.S. Department of State collaborates with the American Councils for International Education and their partner in-country non-profit organizations to implement the YES Program each year. At present, 37 different countries participate in the YES Program.

The YES Program Pakistan is implemented in partnership with the Society for International Education and iEARN Pakistan. The YES Program in the USA has provided scholarships to more than 1500 high school students from Pakistan to date.

Eligibility Criteria for iEARN YES Exchange Program 2025 in the USA

To be considered for the YES Exchange Program for Pakistan, you need to meet the eligibility standards set by the administration.

Applicants should be between the ages of 15 to 17 years by the beginning of the program (15^th August 2025).
They should be enrolled in a secondary school in Pakistan and be in their 9^th or 10^th grade or ‘O’ Levels at the time of application. (It should be noted that for O-Level students, only O-Level 9^th grade or O-Level 10^th grade students are eligible to apply whereas O-Level 11^th grade students are not eligible).
The applicants must have a CGPA of 60% or more. They must have at least a GPA of 60% in all major/core subjects (Mathematics, English, Sciences) and no failing grades in the last three years (2021-22, 2022-23 and 2023-24 academic years).
Those with a gap year or the ones with a repeated year are ineligible.
They must be proficient in English.
They need to meet the U.S. J-1 visa eligibility requirements (for example, U.S. citizens are not eligible for a J-1 visa).
The applicants must be citizens of Pakistan and are living in Pakistan. Dual nationals of any country are not eligible.
The student must not have traveled to the U.S.A.
If you are a sibling and kids of YES Program alumni, you are not eligible to apply and participate in this program.
Children and siblings of the Society for International Education and iEARN Pakistan project staff members are also not eligible to apply and participate in this program.

Funding Availability for the YES Exchange Program 2025

This happens to be the best fully funded exchange program in the USA. It covers all major costs related to the program, such as airfare, visa fees (U.S. visa fees), boarding and lodging in the U.S., and school tuition. The successful students will also be provided with a monthly stipend of $200.

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Deadline for Application Submission

The YES program 2025-26 last date for applications is 21^st October 2024. Applications will only be accepted and entertained through postal or courier services.