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How to Apply

ASSIST Scholars' Candidate Criteria

Primarily, our scholarship candidates are:

  • Entering 10th and 11th grade (though there are a few opportunities for those entering 12th grade and postgraduates)
  • Highly proficient in English
  • Able to study in the U.S. for 10 months, then return to their home country
  • Uniquely driven as students and engaged community members
  • From any country outside the U.S.

If you meet this criteria, we encourage you to begin our application process. Our application opens annually in July. Visit the page for your country to learn more about ASSIST in your country or region:

Application Process Overview

photo of three girls from Germany at boarding school

Step 1: Application & Academic Transcript

Log into our application portal to complete and submit these application essentials which will be reviewed to determine who will be asked to advance to the Finalist stage of the competition:

  • ASSIST's online application form: includes contact information, biographical details, and a few short answer essay questions.
  • Academic transcript(s): Previous school year's full-year transcript and partial transcript from the current academic year, if available. We only need a copy of your transcript at this stage—an official one is not required.
    • Scholarship winners who accept our offer will provide official transcripts in March.

Application Essentials Deadlines:

 

  • November 1: Germany and Switzerland
  • November 21: Austria and Slovakia
  • December 1: All other countries

You'll be notified by ASSIST one to two weeks after the deadline if you've been selected as a Scholarship Finalist. Finalists will be invited to interview and required to complete the items listed in steps 2 and 3.

Nina ‘24

Germany
Bryn Mawr School

“It was my dream to study abroad. I love meeting new people and learning new cultures and traditions. I really love the ASSIST community, they’re literally like my second family.”

Baia ‘23

Georgia
Perkiomen School

“My words cannot describe the adventure and experience I had in the USA because of ASSIST. In Georgia, a lot of people I’ve met and had conversations with mentioned that I came back as an even more grown-up, independent, and confident individual, which is a sign of progress and self-development.”

Caesar ‘24

Sweden
Salisbury School

“This year so far has been one of the best years of my life. I have experienced a new culture, new traditions and met so many new friends.”

Lucie ‘24

Czech Republic
Gould Academy

“I am experiencing best days of my life in my ASSIST school. I am very happy with my school and I don't think there is a school that would make a better fit.”

Petra ‘23

Slovakia
Phillips Academy Andover

“I am profoundly grateful for the opportunities, growth, and invaluable experiences that your gift has afforded me.”

Berta ‘‘24

The Czech Republic
The Ethel Walker School

“I’ve always wanted to study abroad to gain new experience and ASSIST gave me so much more than that. ASSIST really gives you your best fit school. I am certain that all of the experiences I am having will guide me later in life.”

Step 2: Teacher Recommendations, Parent Statement and Photos

These additional required materials on ASSIST's application checklist are required for Scholarship Finalists:

  • Teacher recommendations from English, Math, and a school administrator
  • Answers to three questions about the applicant from their parent or guardian via our "Parent Statement"
  • Applicant photos

These materials are due:

  • December 1: Germany and Switzerland
  • December 15: Austria and Slovakia
  • January 15: All other countries

Step 3: Language Proficiency

Scholarship Finalists whose first language is not English will be invited by ASSIST to take the Duolingo English Test.
Duolingo English Test Deadlines:
  • December 1: Austria, Germany, Slovakia and Switzerland
  • January 15: All other countries

Step 4: Interview

Scholarship Finalists will be invited to interview with ASSIST. Most interviews are held in-person in the candidate’s home country. For some, the interview will be held virtually.

  • November 17-21: Germany & Switzerland (in-person in Germany)
  • December & January: All other countries (many in-person, some virtual)

Step 5: Selection and Notification

All candidates are notified of the status of their application in January and February. Students not offered a scholarship might be placed on a waiting list. Our waiting list closes in April.

Step 6: School Placement

Once named ASSIST Scholars, students are matched by ASSIST with one of our North American member schools. Newly enrolled ASSIST Scholars are notified of their school placements in March and April.

To learn more, please visit your country or region's page:

Financial Responsibilities of ASSIST's Families

For more information on the financial commitments of an ASSIST Scholarship, please see our Program Cost & Aid page.