FAQs

Choosing your school is not possible through ASSIST. ASSIST staff is experienced in placing students in schools that fit their interest and needs the best so you’ll have tailored opportunities to be successful. Though you can tell us your preferences, we ask that you trust us to make the best placement possible for you.

Yes! Your friends and family are more than welcome to visit during your exchange year. We strongly recommend, however, that visits take place later in the year (preferably in the spring). This gives you plenty of time to get used to your new school, schedule, and classes and to make new friends.

Beginning each year in August, students can apply directly through ASSIST, or can contact their country's ASSIST Program Coordinator.

In some countries there are specific steps and requirements, so it is advisable to talk with your local coordinator before beginning.

We base our selections on:

• Academic achievements
• English proficiency, as measured by a standardized test, a written essay, and an interview
• Teacher recommendations
• Personal essays
• Ability to contribute to a school’s extracurricular programs
• Personality, maturity level, and ability to engage socially
• Your willingness to share cultural differences
• Your leadership qualities and potential

September - February: Application and Interview Season

Deadlines for submitting applications vary by country. Interviews are scheduled beginning in October and concluding in late February. Please visit our ASSIST in Your Country pages for the application instructions within your country.

January - March: Scholarship Decisions Released and Enrollment Begins
ASSIST sends out offers to successful candidates. Students and their parents accept their scholarships and make a deposit to secure their place in the program.

March - May:  School Placement and Payments
School placement takes a great deal of time to accomplish successfully and typically happen in March and April, but no later than the end of May. Your final ASSIST program fee payment is due in July. You may pay your program fee at any time before the deadline.

March - July:  Submit ASSIST Enrollment Forms and Paperwork
July is the deadline for submitting all information forms, permissions forms and medical forms to  ASSIST through the enrollment portal.

May-July:  Pre-Departure Orientation
Your Country Coordinator will schedule and notify you of the Pre-Departure Orientation in your country.

August:  ASSIST In-Person Orientation
Scholars will be required to attend an ASSIST orientation, which includes information sessions to prepare for their year ahead and make connections with other ASSIST scholars.

August - September:  Start of the School Year
ASSIST's Member Schools have varying start dates. Scholars will travel to their school between mid-August and early September, depending on their specific school placement.

No, ASSIST scholarships are only offered for one year. After completing your year in America, you are expected to return home to share your experiences with family, friends, and teachers.

Beyond the financial requirements for students from your country, your responsibilities include:

• Being a dependable, responsible representative of your home country, your family, and ASSIST
• Following all your ASSIST school's rules
• Becoming actively involved in your American school community
• Sharing your culture while learning from those around you
• Returning home after your year to share what you’ve learned, and to enrich your community with your new wisdom and perspective

The ASSIST Sanderson Scholarship awards full tuition, room and board at a private American high school for one year.

The ASSIST Lindfors Scholarship awards approximately half the cost of tuition, room and board at a private American high school for one year.

We encourage academically motivated students between the ages of 14 and 18 who have not been exchange students in the U.S. before to apply for a scholarship. Find out more about the application process here.

Founded in 1969, ASSIST Scholars is the gold standard in study abroad.

ASSIST Is Known For:

If you’re placed in a day school, you will be assigned at least one host family for the school year. In some cases, day students live with more than one host family over the course of the year, which allows them to enjoy different perspectives on American family lifestyles.

If you’re placed at a boarding school, you may be placed with a homestay family during school breaks and holidays.

ASSIST's host families are closely connected to each member school's community and are selected carefully by our schools and by ASSIST.

You’ll have access to a wealth of resources during your year in the U.S., from academic advisors and dormitory advisors at your new school to your country's ASSIST Program Coordinator. ASSIST staff members from our US office are also always available to help with any challenges you have.

Of course! After completing high school in their home country, many ASSIST Scholars return to the U.S. to earn undergraduate and/or graduate degrees at prestigious American colleges and universities. Both ASSIST and your American school will offer support if you choose to apply to American colleges or universities, as well.

Yes, there are additional fees charged by the school for which you will be responsible. We have outlined some of the typical expenses encountered at American independent schools. While some ASSIST students receive scholarships from their schools, these scholarships cover tuition, room and board only.

Possible fees charged by schools

Questions about this? Contact your country's Program Coordinator.