Frequently Asked Questions – AFS Youth Assembly Scholarships

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FAQs FOR PARTICIPANTS / SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

Please note: the following information is for recipients of scholarships to the AFS Youth Assembly Changemaker and Global Educator Academies only. Any other scholarship recipient should refer to the specific instructions of their specific scholarship offer.

What are the dates of the AFS Youth Assembly and Academies?

The AFS Youth Assembly scholarship experience includes two required components: a virtual exchange certificate program (online, from home) and an in-person program (hosted in Geneva, Switzerland). Participants must be available for both components to be eligible.

Overall program duration is 20 June – 15 August, 2026
Part 1: 20 June – 2 August, 2026 (Online, from home)
    • A 5-week AFS Global Up virtual exchange and online learning program
    • Approximately 3 hours per week, completed on your own schedule
    • Weekly 90-minute live Zoom sessions with global peers
    • Activities include video modules, discussion forums, case studies, and quizzes.
    • Participants earn an AFS Global Competence Certificate.
Part 2: 9-15 August, 2026 (in person)
    • After the virtual exchange online learning certification, participants will then travel to Geneva, Switzerland to participate in the AFS Youth Assembly and Academy into which they are selected.  The Academies will run from 9-11 August, and the general AFS Youth Assembly conference will run from 12-14 August, 2026.
    • Scholars should plan to arrive in Geneva on 9 August, and depart on 15 August.
    • We strongly suggest that you arrive in Geneva before 5:00 PM (approximately) on 9 August, if possible, so that you can attend a special scholars’ Welcome Dinner later that evening. You can depart at any time on 15 August (but please be mindful you will need to check out of the hotel on the morning of 15 August).
    • The daily program schedule will be confirmed in early June. You can anticipate that most days will begin around 9:00 AM and end by 6:00 PM, although there will be a few special evening sessions and activities included. Please plan to remain present, hands-on, and involved in this immersive experience!

What does the scholarship cover?

    • Scholarships for the AFS Youth Assembly Academies cover both the virtual exchange and in-person program tuition and fees, accommodation for the in-person program duration (nights of 9-14 August inclusive), daily breakfast (Monday-Saturday), lunches throughout the week (Monday-Friday) and 1 dinner on the Orientation Night (Sunday), special networking events, plus a travel stipend in the form of a reimbursement for up to $2,000 USD to help cover your transportation and visa costs.
    • Eligible travel costs for reimbursement (up to $2,000 USD) include roundtrip airfare and/or rail travel to/from Geneva (by air or rail), airline baggage fees, and any associated visa fees (if applicable).
    • Please note, if traveling by air: Geneva Airport (GVA) is not a major long-haul hub and offers limited direct intercontinental flights. If direct-flight options are limited, you may need to book travel with a layover in one of the larger international airport hubs that offers direct flights to Geneva (such as London, Zurich, etc.), depending on where you are traveling from. We strongly suggest using the Google Flight tool (or other comparable travel search engine) to compare different flight itineraries before booking.
    • You are responsible for covering any costs outside of the aforementioned amounts independently (for example, if your flight costs you $2,500, you would be able to request the maximum $2,000 reimbursement, but the remaining $500 would be your responsibility to cover independently).
    • The reimbursement form and detailed instructions on how to submit your reimbursement will be shared in late June. Only scholarship winners are eligible to receive reimbursement.
    • Reimbursement payments are processed after you have submitted your reimbursement request, with all required accompanying documents, and it has been approved. Due to the high volume of reimbursement requests received, it may take up to four weeks for your reimbursement request to be processed once it is approved.
    • See the sections “What does the scholarship NOT cover” and “What if I want to travel before or after the program” section below for more detail.

What does the scholarship NOT cover? What will be my responsibility?

While your scholarship is designed to greatly offset program costs and make participation more accessible, you will still be responsible for some of your own costs, including but not limited to:

    • Any meals not covered by the scholarship. The Hotel includes daily breakfast and the scholarship includes lunches throughout the week (Monday-Friday). Other than the Academy orientation welcome dinner on Sunday night, dinners throughout the rest of week will be on your own, at your own expense and leisure. For more information about which meals are included please see above.
    • Transportation to/from Geneva Airport or Geneva Railway Station and the Meininger Hotel (See “Transportation: What happens when I arrive?” below for more detail.)
    • Excess travel fees beyond the scope of what’s included in your issued ticket, including excess or overweight baggage fees, change fees due to lateness or missed travel, or cancellations.
    • Personal expenses such as toiletries, food purchased during travel, souvenirs, and personal spending money for your own leisure.
    • Personal travel insurance. While travel insurance is not required for participation, you may wish to purchase it at your own discretion for additional peace of mind. Many companies such as Squaremouth offer low-cost options for short-term travel: https://www.squaremouth.com/plans/single-trip-home-page
    • Medical costs acquired while traveling, or any costs related to pre-existing medical conditions.
    • Personal/Leisure travel. If you wish to extend your time in Switzerland, by arriving earlier or departing later than the aforementioned program dates, it will be your responsibility to pay out of pocket or seek alternate housing arrangements for any nights not covered by your scholarship. AFS cannot assist or advise on alternate housing or hotel arrangements. See the “What if I want to travel before or after the program” section below for more detail.

What if I want to travel before or after the program? 

    • By participating, you agree to be present in Geneva from 9-15 August for the duration of the program. Any independent travel that you take outside of the scope of the program will be at your own discretion and expense.
    • Any additional hotel nights or travel beyond a reasonable itinerary between Geneva and your country of residence must be arranged and covered independently and is not eligible for reimbursement. AFS is unable to accommodate hotel modifications or changes to the reservation dates provided as part of the program.
    • A travel itinerary outside of the program arrival and departure dates may be reimbursed, as long as the itinerary reflects a reasonable route to and from Geneva. Travel costs for personal purposes beyond the program (such as leisure time in another country) will not be covered and must be arranged at your own expense. For example, if you choose to travel elsewhere in Europe before or after the program, your stipend may cover a reasonable route to/from Geneva and your home country, but would not cover additional travel outside of that route.
    • AFS reserves the final discretion in determining which travel costs are considered reasonable for reimbursement.

Will AFS help me obtain a visa?

    • If you are selected for a scholarship, AFS will provide you with an official scholarship offer letter, inviting you to accept your spot.
    • In late April, if you have accepted your scholarship, you will then be given instructions on how to formally register yourself in the program. This process will generate a formal program invitation letter to support your visa application (if needed).
    • Please check if citizens from your country are responsible for obtaining a visa to Switzerland or the Schengen Area of Europe. AFS cannot provide formal guidance in this regard.
    • Acceptance to the AFS Youth Assembly does not guarantee the issuance of a visa or entry into Switzerland or the Schengen Area. Participants are fully responsible for making their own travel arrangements, including obtaining a visa if required.
    • In most cases, if you are required to have a visa, a standard Tourist Visa should suffice, since you will be in Switzerland on a non-business, non-academic, short-term stay of less than 30 days. You will not be working or studying in the country. However, each country’s Consulate or Embassy has its own nuances and visa policies vary from country to country.
    • Please note that AFS cannot provide any assistance in the visa acquisition process, and has no influence over visa issuance.

Hotel & Accommodation: Where will I stay during the Youth Assembly?

    • Scholarships include lodging at the Meininger Hotel Genève Centre Charmilles in Geneva, Switzerland, for the duration of the program. All scholars should plan to arrive in Geneva on 9 August and depart on 15 August.
    • Accommodations consist of shared, single-gender, dormitory-style rooms, meaning scholarship winners will share a multi-bed/dormitory-style room with 2-4 fellow scholars from the same cohort. Winners will be housed with scholars from their specific program who share the same gender identity. Rooms feature a variety of multi-bed layouts and include private en-suite bathrooms. The Meininger is a well-equipped, modern facility designed for group travel, with amenities including guest laundry, a bar, and a games/lounge area. The hotel includes a free daily breakfast with your stay.
    • Please note: AFS is unable to provide room upgrades, date changes, or solo/private accommodations. For any stay extensions or date changes, you are responsible for arranging your own alternative accommodations at your own discretion and expense.

Transportation: What happens when I arrive? How will I get around?

    • Scholars are responsible for their own transportation between Geneva Airport (GVA) and the Meininger Hotel on both the arrival day (9 August) and the departure day (15 August).
    • Daily bus transportation between the Hotel and the Conference Venue will be provided by AFS, unless otherwise noted.
    • Arrival Support & Coordination:
      • Prior to the program, AFS will survey scholars to collect arrival times and flight numbers. You can opt-in to share this information with your cohort, allowing you to coordinate flights or share rides from the airport with fellow scholars arriving in the same window.
      • On 9 August, AFS Volunteers will be stationed at the airport at various times to provide directions and help with transportation questions. However, we strongly encourage you to coordinate with fellow scholars.
      • We encourage you to arrive in Geneva before 5:00 PM on 9 August, if possible, so that you may attend the Scholars’ Welcome Dinner in the evening. However, if it’s not possible and you need to arrive later, that’s okay.
    • Travel Tips:
      You have several options for getting to/from the GVA Airport and Meininger Hotel. They are closely located, only about 3 km apart (a 10-15 minute ride).

      • Public Transit: The #10 city bus runs directly from the airport to the Guye stop, which is a 2-minute walk from the hotel.
        Pro-Tip: Before leaving the baggage reclaim hall at the airport, look for the ticket machine offering free 80-minute public transport tickets. These are complimentary for arriving passengers! If you miss the machine, a standard ticket costs 3 CHF (~$4 USD).
      • Rideshare & Taxis: Uber and local taxis are widely available. A trip to the hotel typically costs between 15-25 CHF (~$18-$28 USD).
    • Geneva is a safe, compact, and pedestrian-friendly city. While AFS provides transportation for official sessions, you are welcome to walk or use public transit if you prefer, at your own discretion and expense. Upon check-in, the Meininger typically provides a digital Geneva Transport Card, which offers free unlimited travel on all city buses, trams, and taxi-boats for the duration of your stay. Remember to exercise caution, as you are responsible for any transportation that you choose to take outside of the official program itinerary.

In case I am selected but cannot attend, can I defer my spot?

    • No. If you are a scholarship winner but cannot attend the AFS Youth Assembly or Academy that you have applied for, we are unable to defer your spot to a future session. However, you may be welcome to apply again in the future if you still meet the eligibility criteria.

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FAQs FOR APPLICANTS

Please note, scholarship applications for the 2026 program are now closed. Applications for the 2027 program will open in late 2026. Please check back for more information in late 2026.

If I am applying for a scholarship, do I need to fill out the general Youth Assembly individual application?

    • No! If you are applying for a scholarship, you only need to apply using the scholarship application form. We advise you to not create a regular individual application on our portal so you are not added to our regular applicants list and start receiving communications that are not meant for you, which may cause confusion.

What happens after I apply for a Youth Assembly Scholarship?

    • Once you have submitted your application, our team will assess your eligibility and candidacy. To review the eligibility criteria, and to read more about the program please review the eligibility section of this page. If you are selected for a scholarship, you will be contacted directly via email and receive further notice at that time.
    • Scholarship winners’ admissions will be announced on 10 April, 2026.

Are Global STEM scholarships available for all Youth Assembly Academies?

    • No, the scholarships offered as part of the AFS Global STEM Initiative are reserved only for the Global Educators and Changemakers Academies. To read more about the general AFS Youth Assembly and other available programs as a general registrant, please see https://www.youthassembly.org

How can I confirm if you’ve received my scholarship application?

    • Upon submitting your scholarship application, you will receive an automated confirmation message. You should not expect further communications until April 2026, when applications are under review and winners have been selected. on the final page of the Typeform.

I missed the deadline. Can I still apply?

    • Unfortunately not. No late applications are accepted for the scholarship opportunities.

How are scholarship applications evaluated?

    • Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis once the application period closes, and winners will be contacted directly. All admissions decisions will be announced on 10 April, 2026 via email.