Scholarships and Diversity Initiatives News

Scholarships and Diversity Initiatives News

How to Locate Scholarships on the AFS-USA Website:
www.afsusa.org/study-abroad/scholarships

To quickly access scholarships and fundraising opportunities at AFS, select the featured tabs Scholarships by State or Fundraising.

Applicants will continue to search for scholarships categorized by the state in which they reside. There, they’ll fund all national and any local scholarships available to their program of choice.

Our new website allows applicants to search for scholarships now shown in three categories.

  • National Scholarships
  • Local Scholarships
  • Additional Scholarships

National scholarships: features all scholarships available for all high school applicants grouped geographically (Asia, Europe, Latin America and Oceania) and specific to AFS-USA study abroad destinations in those regions.

Local Scholarships: feature local area team or chapter scholarships if available.

Additional Scholarships: captures scholarships applicable to multiple destinations or have a focus on diversity such as the Pride Scholarship.  All U.S. Department of State-Sponsored programs (CBYX, YES-Abroad, and NSLI-Y) are also featured on the Additional Scholarships sections.

Each AFS-USA scholarship page will offer a new format with a quick snapshot of the scholarship details and eligibility requirements. Applicants are directed to start or login into their AFS application to apply for a scholarship. All national scholarship applications are accessible in the applicant’s AFS dashboard/account.

Most national scholarships pages will no longer feature the scholarship application on the website, however, some local area teams have elected to keep the local scholarship applications on the AFS website.

Please note, google maps will no longer be featured on local area team scholarships.

Who’s Who in the Scholarships and Diversity Initiatives Team:

Want to connect with a member of the scholarships and diversity team? Check out who’s who below.

Amy Kiana Rendon-Patel, Senior Scholarships Specialist

  • Implementation of all national scholarships, announcements, training etc.
  • Supports Field Staff and Volunteers with resources to develop, launch and maintain local area team scholarships
  • Administering national scholarships awards to recipients in Global Link
  • Reviewing Global Leaders applications –FAST
  • Addressing general scholarships questions with applicants, parents, staff, and volunteers
  • Contact Amy at scholarships@afsusa.org  or arendon-patel@afsusa.org 646-751-2092

Shameeka Leacock, Scholarships and Diversity Initiatives Manager

  • Oversees the implementation of national and diversity scholarships
  • Collaborates w/TDS and Volunteers to bring awareness and support to applicants interested in scholarships
  • Recruits identify, and onboard of community-based organizations for FoA partnerships
  • Leads AFS LGBTQ Exchange and Students of Color Initiatives workgroups
  • Supports AFS-USA diversity initiatives and projects
  • Advising all Faces of America (FoA) and BP Global STEM Academy scholarship applicants and their families, guiding them through the application process
  • Facilitates FoA and BP webinars
  • Contact Shameeka at Facesofamerica@afsusa.org, Bpscholarship@afsusa.org, sleacock@afsusa.orgor 646-751- 2218

Feel Good Videos

At the end of each cycle, the Scholarship Team requires all scholarship recipients to complete a post-program essay to reflect on their experience abroad.  Now AFS Returnees, alum can submit a post-program essay or video. Check out

NH20 Scholarship Deadlines

At this time, we have updated the national scholarship pages with the new deadlines for the 2020-2021 program year. Click here to access a full list of national scholarships.

Local Scholarships Shout Out:

Each year several area teams or chapters express interest in developing and offering local scholarship opportunities for students in their area. If you are interested in creating a local scholarship in your area team or chapter, please reach out to Senior Scholarship Specialist, Amy Kiana Rendon-Patel (arendon-patel@afsusa.org) to for more information.

Scholarships Information Sheet:

Please click here to download a quick reference guide to the scholarships above, and an FAQ page.