Scholarships

AFS is committed to providing opportunities for young people to participate in programs regardless of their financial situation. That’s why AFS works with a wide variety of corporate and community sponsors to help finance AFS programs through scholarships.

Enquire now!

AFS offers both full and partial scholarships to a range of destinations. Scholarships are available for AFS Intensive Programs, Semester Programs and Year Programs to students seeking a life-defining experience abroad.

Competition for scholarships varies and recipients are selected on a variety of factors including cultural awareness, community involvement and consistent academic achievement.

What are you looking to apply for?

  • Program Discounts
    There are a variety of program discounts available, including family discounts.
  • Corporate Scholarships
    These scholarships are offered by corporate sponsors and have very specific eligibility criteria in regards to which students can apply (usually these are only available to students with family members who are employees of those companies).
  • Public Scholarships
    These scholarships are offered by corporate sponsors or AFS, and are open to any student, so long as they meet the general eligibility criteria for AFS programs.

What if I don’t receive a scholarship?

AFS offers excellent scholarship opportunities. Hundreds of candidates apply for scholarships each year but unfortunately not everyone can be awarded one. Even though you might not be awarded a scholarship you might still decide to participate on an AFS Program. If you and your family decide that you will continue your participation, contact the AFS Sending Team to discuss your program options and relevant program fees.

Program Discounts

AFS offers various discounts and special offers throughout the year. Check back here regularly to be kept up to date when new discounts are released.

AFS Family Discount

This discount is available all year round for past host families, participants and volunteer family members.

Save 10% off the total program fee!

We want to say thank you to our past participants, host families and volunteers and give you the opportunity to send an immediate family member away and save 10% off the total program fee.

The stuff you need to know to be eligible:

  • This discount is available for any of our program lengths (intensive, semester or year programs)
  • Available to all destinations except Japan, the USA, UK, Ireland & Canada
  • Available to a student who is an immediate family member (sibling, child, grandchild, niece/nephew) of an AFS returnee, AFS volunteer or AFS Host Family. Note this excludes reciprocal programs.
  • Scholarship recipients are not eligible for further program discounts as they are already heavily reduced.
  • You must complete either the Intensive Program or Student Exchange Application.
  • To confirm eligibility of the scholarship, you need to email [email protected] with confirmation of relation to an AFS volunteer, host family or returnee.

What now?

Public Scholarships  

Thanks to the generosity and support of corporate and community donors, AFS offers a range of scholarships which cover all or part of the AFS program fee. Competition for scholarships varies, and recipients are selected on a number of criteria including cultural awareness, community involvement and consistent academic achievement.

Public scholarships are open to all eligible Australian students.

These scholarships are offered by the AFS Scholarship Fund to help meet the program fee for AFS Semester Programs and Trimester Programs.

Application deadline 1st July 2019 for Programs departing January/February/March 2020.

Who is eligible?

You may be eligible for an AFS Scholarship if:

  • You are an Australian Citizen or Australian Permanent Resident
  • You are a secondary school student currently studying Year 8, 9 or 10 at an Australian school at the time of your application (you must plan to complete your AFS Semester or Trimester Program prior to commencing Year 11 in Australia).
  • You plan to complete Year 11 and Year 12 on return from your AFS Semester or Trimester Program.
  • You commit to meet school attendance and participation requirements in your AFS host country.
  • You demonstrate that you have a keen interest and a desire to learn; are willing to fully commit to the requirements of an AFS Semester or Trimester program; and understand the challenges and opportunities offered through an AFS intercultural experience.
  • You complete an AFS Application Form and meet all requirements for an AFS Semester or Trimester Program in your nominated host country.
  • You are willing to provide program updates (video, audio and/or written) and photos to AFS about your experience.

 What is the value of an AFS Scholarship?

  • The amount of an AFS Scholarship will depend on the duration and destination of your chosen AFS program, based on merit and financial need.
  • Standard merit-based scholarships are up to 40% of the applicable AFS Semester or Trimester Program fee for your nominated host country destination.
  • If successful students’ parent or guardian holds a current healthcare or pensioner concession card that lists the student by name, the scholarship may cover up to the full value of the applicable participation fee.
    • Note: Applicants whose parent or guardian holds a current healthcare or pensioner concession card that lists them by name, may have the application fee waived. Please contact the office for more information.

 Next Steps?

Start exploring our Semester and Trimester Programs which are available for January/February/March and August/September departures!

You can start your application for a Semester or Trimester Program here.

For additional information, please contact our Sending Team on [email protected] or 02 9215 0077.

Corporate Scholarships

Thanks to the generosity and support of corporate donors, AFS offers a range of scholarships which cover all or part of the AFS program fee. Competition for scholarships varies, and recipients are selected according to a number of criteria including cultural awareness, community involvement and consistent academic achievement.