Table of Contents
Applications are now open for the Fully Funded Yale Young Global Scholars for high school students in USA


The Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) is one of the most globally diverse and accessible pre-college programs in the world.
Join our Telegram Channel for Instant Scholarship Updates
It welcomes high school students from around the globe to reside on Yale’s campus for an immersive two-week experience. Participants in the program are entitled to need-based tuition scholarships that cover housing, meals, curriculum materials, and air-chilled rooms.
In this guide, we will highlight the key details of the program, including its requirements, benefits, and step-by-step application procedure.
Program Summary
- Host Country: USA
- Study Abroad: Study in USA
- Category: High School Scholarships
- Eligible Countries: All Countries
- Reward: Full Scholarship | Housing | Meals | Materials
- No IELTS Required
- Deadline: January 7, 2026
Program Details
Yale Young Global Scholars invites high school students aged 16–18 from around the world to reside on Yale’s campus while attending two-week sessions based on different academic tracks. Participants will live at Yale’s Benjamin Franklin and Pauli Murray Colleges, which are more accessible and offer a sustainable approach to cooling with air-chilling technology.
For more insights into securing a fully-funded educational opportunity, you can learn how to win a fully-funded undergraduate scholarship. You might also want to consider the top 10 reasons to study your masters abroad, even though this program is for high school students.
Benefits of the YYGS Program
The Yale Young Global Scholars program is committed to making its program accessible to all students. The benefits of the program include:
- Financial Aid and Scholarships: The program offers need-based financial aid that can cover up to the full cost of tuition for both domestic and international students. YYGS awards over $3 million USD in financial aid and scholarships each year.
- Comprehensive Coverage: The tuition scholarship covers all essential on-campus costs, so you don’t have to worry about additional fees. This includes housing, all meals, curriculum materials, and air-chilled rooms.
- Application Fee Waivers: Students who face financial barriers can submit a fee waiver request, which can reduce the application fee to $0 USD.
Eligibility Requirements for YYGS 2026
To be considered for the Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) 2026, you must:
- Be 16–18 years old by the program start date.
- Be enrolled in high school or an equivalent at the time of application.
- Have a strong academic background and genuine interest in the offered academic tracks.
- Meet the program’s general eligibility requirements.
For guidance on navigating academic challenges, it can be helpful to know the best way to explain a low GPA in personal statements. Furthermore, learning how to ask for a recommendation letter for a scholarship is an essential step in any application process.
How to Apply for YYGS (Step by Step)
To apply for the Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) Program, interested and qualified candidates should follow these steps:
- Click on the link below to go to the program’s official application webpage.
- Complete the entire online YYGS Application, including the Need-Based Financial Aid portion, by January 7, 2026.
- If the fee poses a financial burden, students can submit a fee waiver to reduce the application fee to $0 USD.
- Your financial aid request will be assessed, and you will be contacted on the results of your application by March 2026.
Successfully applying for a program requires careful attention to detail. Get tips on how to apply for scholarships successfully and gain an understanding of the top 10 questions to help you decide if studying abroad is right for you.
Available Academic Tracks
Students admitted to YYGS 2026 will reside at Yale’s Benjamin Franklin and Pauli Murray Colleges and choose from three exciting two-week academic tracks:
- Innovations in Science & Technology
- Politics of Law & Economics
- Solving Global Challenges
Each track includes Yale faculty lectures, small-group seminars with a 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio, and collaborative projects with peers from across the world.
Crafting a Winning Application Essay
Your application essay is a crucial component of your submission. It’s your opportunity to showcase your personality and motivations. Learn how to write a scholarship essay that wins and check out the A-Z guide on how to write a “why I deserve this scholarship” essay. You can also get specific tips from a guide on how to write a Chevening scholarship essay that wins.
Improving Your Academic Profile
To stand out in the competitive application process, it’s essential to demonstrate strong academic habits. Discover the top 11 mind-blowing study tips elite students use to pass exams. You can also explore the unbelievable interleaving study technique and the crazy Cornell method study hack to enhance your learning skills.
General Advice for International Students
Preparing to study abroad goes beyond academics. When considering your living arrangements, it’s wise to review the best student accommodation tips when moving abroad. For those exploring future academic opportunities, you can also consider the 10 best universities in Australia for international students and the top qualities of scholarship winners.
NOTE: The application for financial aid is included within the online YYGS application. If you have any questions related to the financial aid application, please contact us. Students applying for need-based financial aid MUST complete this portion of the YYGS application, as there are no later opportunities after admissions decisions are released to request financial aid.
Application Deadline: January 7, 2026
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) program? YYGS is a pre-college academic program for high school students from around the world, held on Yale’s campus.
Who is eligible to apply? The program is for high school students who are 16-18 years old by the start date and have a strong academic background.
Does the program offer financial aid? Yes, YYGS offers need-based financial aid that can cover up to the full cost of tuition.
Is the IELTS exam required for this program? No, the provided information states that the IELTS is not required for the YYGS program.
What is the application deadline? The application deadline is January 7, 2026.
How much is the application fee? The application fee can be waived for students facing financial barriers.
Where will participants be housed? Participants will reside in Yale’s Benjamin Franklin and Pauli Murray Colleges.
What does the tuition scholarship cover? The scholarship covers on-campus components, including housing, meals, curriculum materials, and air-chilled rooms.
What are the available academic tracks? The three academic tracks are Innovations in Science & Technology, Politics of Law & Economics, and Solving Global Challenges.
When will I know the results of my financial aid application? You will be contacted with the results of your application by March 2026