What does the Scholarship Cover?
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE SCHOLARSHIP:
1. You must be either a high school sophomore, junior, or THIRD YEAR senior at the time you apply. Students that have attended the RYLA program in the summer before their senior year are also eligible to apply.
2. You cannot be over the age of 18 years, 6 months old on August 15, 2023.
3. You understand that, even though the scholarship requires that you attend high school in your host country, Rotary is not responsible for ensuring or facilitating the transfer of academic credit
4. You must complete all sections of the Rotary Youth Exchange Application Form by Friday, November 18, 2022 deadline
5. You understand that the scholarships available are for specific countries as determined by the District 6840 Youth Exchange Committee
6. You understand that the scholarship is contingent upon your willingness to be a Goodwill Ambassador for Rotary and represent Rotary and Rotary District 6840
7. You understand that at any point in the course of the application process and the term of the scholarship, the offer can be rescinded if you do not comply with the program regulations either before you leave or once you arrive in-country
8. You agree to abide by the cultural and legal norms of the host family, host community, host Rotary Youth Exchange Program, and host country
9. You agree to meet all payment deadlines including the application fee as outlined below
10. You assist in training your family and friends that you will be in cultural immersion and thus will limit your contact with home family, friends and culture during the term of the scholarship
THE CASH VALUE OF THE SCHOLARSHIP IS APPROXIMATELY $20,000-$200,000*
Room and Board for 10-12 months
Monthly stipend for 10-12 months
Local school tuition
Full immersion in local culture and language
Participation as a full member of a local family
Access to the resources and contacts of local Rotarians and Rotary Clubs
Participation in community service on a global scale
Relationships based on being part of a family and not a tourist
Friendships with other scholarship recipients from around the world
Opportunities for in-depth cultural engagement
Personal growth and self-reliance
Cultivation of a truly global worldview
Language skills honed through daily practice and school performance
Unique experience and competitive edge in the college application process
***determined by the actual cost to the hosts of the year itself, the savings to the natural family in terms of car and health insurance, daily costs and groceries while the student is away, plus college scholarships awarded as a direct result of the student's unique skill set, language abilities, maturity, and worldview gained while abroad***
FEES PAYABLE TO DISTRICT 6840 ROTARY YOUTH EXCHANGE:
$50 due at the time of application (non-refundable)
$1500 due on December 7, 2021, at the time of the District Interview (refunded if not awarded a scholarship)
$1000 due on January 1, 2022
$1500 due on February 1, 2022
$1000 due on March 1, 2022 (should the scholarship be rescinded or a student decides not to participate, up to this date, 75% of monies paid will be refunded)
$1500 due on April 1, 2022 (should the scholarship be rescinded or a student decides not to participate on or after this date, 50% of monies paid will be refunded)
District 6840 Rotary Youth Exchange will:
secure all necessary insurance
provide round trip airfare and travel insurance
provide monthly training for scholarship recipients (plus 2 sessions that include parents)
provide one-week intensive ("Outbound") training in Siloam Springs, AR plus round-trip transportation in June 2023
provide 2-day "Reverse Culture Shock" ("Rebound") training in Fayetteville, AR plus round-trip transportation in August 2023
refund in August 2024 $500 to each scholarship recipient who successfully completes all training and succeeds as a Rotary Goodwill Ambassador
continue to provide opportunities to engage with Rotary beyond the scholarship year
COSTS INCURRED BY STUDENTS:
US Passport
All fees and costs of obtaining the requisite student visa
Daily spending in excess of monthly stipend
Rotary-sanctioned in-country travel in accordance with host Rotary Youth Exchange guidelines