STUDENT ELIGIBILITY

Overview for Prospective Global UGRAD Students

The Global UGRAD Program welcomes over 300 outstanding undergraduate students from around the world to the United States each year for one semester of non-degree study at diverse institutions of higher education. As a program of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Global UGRAD seeks and encourages applications from traditionally underrepresented audiences. This program is open to people regardless of their race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, geographic location, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Eligibility Criteria

Prospective applicants to the Global UGRAD Program must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Have citizenship in at least one of the participating countries/areas.
  • Be at least 18 years old by the August of the relevant academic year. For example, if you are applying to participate in the program for the 2025-2026 academic year, you must be at least 18 years old by August 2025.
  • Be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student in good academic standing at an accredited academic institution.
  • Have at least one full academic year of undergraduate study remaining after May of the relevant academic year that you participate in the Global UGRAD Program. For example, if you are applying to participate in the program for the 2025-2026 academic year, you must have at least one full year of undergraduate study remaining after May 2026.
  • Be able to communicate in English.
  • Be committed to service in your community.

Please note that individuals in the following circumstances are NOT eligible for the Global UGRAD Program:

  • U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the United States.
  • Individuals currently participating in academic, training, or research programs in the United States.
  • Individuals currently residing or working outside of participating countries.
  • Individuals who have participated in an Exchange Visitor program sponsored or funded by the U.S. government (e.g., U.S. Department of State including U.S. Embassies, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), or other U.S. government agency) for a period of more than six weeks and who have not fulfilled their two-year home residency requirement by the application deadline.
  • Individuals who have applied for U.S. permanent residency in the past three years.
  • Employees, and their families, of non-profit organizations who administer the Global UGRAD Program on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. This provision does not disqualify self-supporting members of families who live apart from their parents.
  • Local employees of U.S. missions abroad who work for the U.S. Department of State or USAID are ineligible during the period of their employment and for one year following the termination of employment.
  • Immediate family members (i.e., spouses and dependent children) of U.S. Department of State employees and/or USAID are ineligible for a period of one year following the termination of such employment. This provision does not disqualify self-supporting members of families who live apart from their parents.

Application Process

Prospective students must apply to participate in the Global UGRAD Program during the annual application cycle for the following academic year. The application opens on November 1st and closes on December 15th. Students applying in November/December 2024 would complete their exchange during the fall 2025 or spring 2026 term. For more information on the next application cycle, including upcoming deadlines, please visit our Apply page.