EFI Scholar Award
Supporting Tomorrow’s Global Explorers
We believe curiosity about the world should be encouraged.
The EFI Scholar Award provides a limited number of selected students with financial assistance toward EFI program fees. Awards recognize students who demonstrate strong motivation, academic ability and a genuine interest in language, culture and international learning.
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For some families, an award can help bring an exchange that once felt just beyond reach a little closer. Because funding is limited, Scholar Awards are selective and are not available to every qualified applicant.
Who Is the Scholar Award For?
The EFI Scholar Award recognizes students who demonstrate both the interest and readiness to make meaningful use of an international exchange experience.
Selection is not based on grades alone. EFI considers the student as a whole, including curiosity, motivation, maturity, academic engagement and genuine interest in learning from another family, language and culture.
Applicants must:
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Be between 8 and 17 years old at the time of exchange
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Complete the EFI Scholar Award application
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Successfully complete EFI’s regular family application process
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Demonstrate academic ability appropriate to their age
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Show a genuine interest in international travel, language learning or cultural exchange
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Be prepared to represent EFI as a Youth Ambassador
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Not have previously received an EFI Scholar Award
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Meeting these requirements establishes eligibility for consideration but does not guarantee an award.
What Does the Scholar Award Provide?
EFI Scholar Awards provide partial financial assistance toward EFI program fees for selected students.
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The number and amount of awards available may vary based on available Scholar Award funding. Families should therefore plan for their exchange independently of receiving an award.
How Are Scholar Awards Selected?
Looking at the Whole Student
Scholar Award applications are reviewed by the EFI Scholar Award Committee.
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Because students develop at different rates and bring different strengths to an exchange, selection is not based on a single grade, test score or accomplishment. The committee considers the student's overall readiness and the qualities they would bring to an international exchange.
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Consideration may include:
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Motivation for participating in an exchange
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Interest in another language or culture
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Academic ability and engagement
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Curiosity and willingness to learn
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Maturity and adaptability
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Readiness for the responsibilities of reciprocal exchange
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Potential to serve as a positive EFI Youth Ambassador
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Additional information may be requested when needed to better understand a student's application or confirm eligibility.
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Because Scholar Award funding is limited, not every student who meets the eligibility requirements will receive an award.
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Applicants are notified of the committee's decision within 90 days of completing both the EFI exchange application and family interview.
More Than an Award Recipient
EFI Youth Ambassadors
Students selected for the EFI Scholar Award are also recognized as EFI Youth Ambassadors.
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Youth Ambassadors represent the curiosity, openness and willingness to learn that international exchange is meant to encourage. During and after their exchange, recipients may have opportunities to share what they are learning and help others better understand what it means to become part of another family and culture.
What Does It Mean to Be an EFI Youth Ambassador?
Sharing the Experience With Others
Students selected to receive an EFI Scholar Award also agree to serve as EFI Youth Ambassadors.
Being a Youth Ambassador means helping others discover what student exchange can offer by sharing your experience honestly, positively and in your own voice. Scholar Award recipients represent EFI in their schools and communities and help introduce other students and families to the possibility of international exchange.
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As part of this commitment,
Youth Ambassadors are expected to:
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Publicly acknowledge receiving the EFI Scholar Award and EFI's role in supporting their exchange.
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Contact their local newspaper or other community media to share news of their Scholar Award and upcoming exchange, with support and guidance from EFI when needed.
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Share their exchange experience through appropriate stories, reflections, photographs or other opportunities agreed upon with EFI.
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Represent EFI positively within their school and community and help others understand the value of reciprocal international exchange.
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Continue promoting student exchange after returning home, including sharing their experience with prospective students and families and participating in reasonable EFI outreach or events when opportunities arise.
An Ambassador Beyond the Exchange
The Youth Ambassador role does not end when the suitcase is unpacked!
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One of the most valuable things an alumni exchange student can offer is a firsthand perspective. Scholar Award recipients make a commitment to continue supporting EFI's mission after their exchange by sharing what they learned, encouraging thoughtful interest in exchange and helping future students understand both its opportunities and responsibilities.
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We do not expect Youth Ambassadors to become professional spokespeople. We do expect them to be willing to stand behind their experience, acknowledge the opportunity they received and help open the door for the students who come after them.
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Receiving an EFI Scholar Award means accepting both the financial assistance of the award and the responsibilities of serving as an EFI Youth Ambassador.
Applying for an EFI Scholar Award
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Begin the EFI Application Process
Students interested in Scholar Award consideration must first begin the regular EFI application process. Scholar Award applicants are held to the same eligibility and readiness standards as all EFI exchange students.
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Complete the Scholar Award Application
Eligible students who wish to be considered may submit a Scholar Award application providing additional information about their interests, motivation and goals for exchange.
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Complete Your Family Interview
Students and their families complete the regular EFI family interview. This allows EFI to learn more about the student and family and helps determine overall readiness for reciprocal exchange.
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Committee Review
Once the required steps are complete, the EFI Scholar Award Committee reviews the application alongside other eligible applicants. Awards are made based on the selection criteria and available funding.
Applicants are notified of the committee's decision within 90 days.
Educator
Nominations
Recognizing Potential
Teachers and other educators sometimes see a particular spark in a student: intellectual curiosity, an interest in language or culture, adaptability, initiative or an eagerness to understand a world beyond their own.
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Educators may nominate students they believe merit consideration for the EFI Scholar Award.
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A nomination does not guarantee an award or replace the regular application process. Nominated students and their families must still meet EFI eligibility requirements and complete both the exchange and Scholar Award application processes.
What an EFI Reciprocal Exchange Is — and Is Not
An EFI Reciprocal Exchange Is
A relationship between two students and two families
One shared exchange experienced together in both countries
A commitment to both hosting and travelling
Everyday life with your exchange partner and their family
Becoming part of family life and engaging fully in the exchange
An exchange shaped around the needs and experience of both students and both families
A structured exchange with preparation, check-ins and ongoing EFI support
A real-life experience that includes adjustment, challenge and growth
An opportunity for meaningful language development through immersion
It Is Not
A placement chosen only by country or language
Two separate exchanges or students simply trading places
A one-way opportunity to send a child abroad
A hotel stay, tourist program or boarding-school experience
Living on the sidelines as a visitor
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An experience planned mainly around the wants of one student
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An experience families are expected to navigate on their own
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A promise that every day will be easy or perfect
A guarantee of fluency or a specific language outcome
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