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Though ASSIST does not have a formal presence in your country, you are still welcome to apply and potentially become a part of the ASSIST Scholars community. Christine D'Angelo, Director of International Scholar Recruitment from our U.S. office, serves as your Program Coordinator.
Please review the following criteria to see if you are ready to be an ASSIST Scholar:
You are:
- Currently in the equivalent of U.S. grade 9, 10 or 11.
- Able to communicate proficiently in English.
- A high achieving student with a strong academic record (grades in the A and B range.)
- Interested in becoming involved in a school community outside of the classroom.
- Eager to share your culture as an ambassador of your country, to learn what is unique about American culture, and to share what you have learned back home.
Travel and Visa Advisory
ASSIST welcomes applications from all eligible students around the world. However, current U.S. government policy restricts the issuance of student and exchange visas for nationals of the following countries:
- Afghanistan
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Benin
- Burkina Faso
- Burma (Myanmar)
- Burundi
- Chad
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Cuba
- Dominica
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Gabon
- The Gambia
- Haiti
- Iran
- Laos
- Libya
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Republic of the Congo
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Syria
- Tanzania
- Togo
- Tonga
- Venezuela
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Restrictions also apply to individuals traveling on Palestinian Authority-issued documents.
Because these policies are outside ASSIST’s control and may change, students from affected countries should check the latest U.S. Department of State guidance before applying. While the restrictions remain in place, they may wish to consider opportunities in countries where obtaining a student visa is currently more feasible.
Students who also hold citizenship in a country not subject to these restrictions may have additional options for obtaining a U.S. student visa and are encouraged to review their individual circumstances carefully.
Information Session
In late 2024, we created this Virtual Information Session video for students who are from a country where we do not have an established presence so that you can hear from our staff directly about our program. Click here to view the video.
Please note that because it was recorded in 2024, a few of the details have changed. Please double check this year's details on this website or ask our staff if you have questions.
In the video, Director of Scholar Recruitment Christine D'Angelo and Program Coordinator for ASSIST Spain Sam Lardner cover:
- The different scholarships we offer
- Why ASSIST is different from most study abroad programs
- More about our U.S. private high schools and what makes them special
- How to apply
- and more!
Applicants from Ramallah Friends School Palestine
ASSIST Scholars is thrilled to continue our partnership with the Ramallah Friends School to place its finest students on scholarship for one year at ASSIST Member School, Sidwell Friends School, located in Washington, D.C. Interested students should work with Dr. Nidal A. Ahmed
IBDP Coordinator and College Advisor at Ramallah Friends School, on steps for applying for this ASSIST Scholarship.
Please note that students placed by ASSIST at Ramallah Friends School are exempt from our program fee.
To be considered, students must speak with Dr. Ahmed and once approved to apply, submit the ASSIST application no later than January 4.
Applicants from Pharo School and Abaarso School of Science & Technology in Somaliland
ASSIST Scholars is proud to partner with two of the finest schools in Somaliland, Pharo School and Abaarso School of Science & Technology, to place their strongest students for one year on scholarship at ASSIST Member Schools. Please note that Pharo and Abaarso students who receive ASSIST scholarships are exempt from our program fee.
Interested students should first review their citizenship status and current U.S. visa and immigration policies, as outlined above. Students who hold citizenship in a country that may allow them to obtain a U.S. student visa should then contact their school’s scholarship advisor to discuss eligibility and next steps.
Pharo School
Mustafe Yousuf
Scholarship Coordinator
Abaarso School of Science & Technology
Elizabeth Ollerhead
Director of Post-Abaarso and Institutional Learning
ASSIST Scholarships
Scholarships from Our Partners, Available Through ASSIST
Application Process for 2027/28 Scholarships
We are primarily seeking students for placement in U.S. Grades 10 and 11. We also have a limited number of opportunities for exceptionally strong applicants interested in Grade 12 or postgraduate positions.
The application opens annually in July. Follow the steps below to apply:
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- Complete the online application through the ASSIST application portal. All required application materials, including your academic transcript, three teacher recommendations, informal photos, a short personal introduction video, and a brief statement from a parent or guardian, must be submitted by December 1. A $35 U.S. application fee is required to submit your application.
- After the December 1 deadline, ASSIST will review completed applications and select candidates to advance as Scholarship Finalists. If your first language is not English, you may also be invited to take the Duolingo English Test. The Duolingo test may be completed after the December 1 application deadline according to instructions provided by ASSIST.
- Scholarship Finalists will be invited to an interview with members of the ASSIST U.S. team in January.
- Finalists will be notified of scholarship decisions in February.