- 2-week residential programDuration
- Tuition ~$7,000 (est.)Program cost
- Up to 100% need-based aidFinancial aid
- ~1,950 students from 150+ countriesCohort size
- 3 academic tracksSubject choice
- Ages 16 to 18Eligibility
At a glance
tuition only
Funding
€7k
Max amount
Jan 7, 2027
Deadline
Open to students from all countries, including the United States
Country
Yale University
Provider
Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) is a two-week residential pre-college summer program held on the campus of Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. It is designed for high-school students aged 16 to 18 who want to experience university-level academics before applying to college. Each year roughly 1,950 students from more than 150 countries and all 50 US states take part, learning in seminars and lectures with a student-to-instructor ratio of about 12:1. Participants choose one of 3 academic tracks: Innovations in Science & Technology, Politics, Law & Economics, or Solving Global Challenges. The program tuition is $7,000 and includes housing, meals, and materials; travel to and from Yale is not covered. YYGS is need-aware on aid: need-based financial aid is available to both US and international students and can cover up to 100% of tuition, so the program is not automatically free for everyone. Applicants must be a high-school sophomore or junior, fluent in English, and must not have attended YYGS before. Because the tuition figure, session dates, and the 2026/2027 application deadlines change each year, confirm the current cost and aid details on the official YYGS website before applying.
What's covered
- Academic tuition — The $7,000 tuition fee covers the two-week academic program; need-based aid can reduce this to as little as ~$0 (est.) for students who qualify for full aid.
- On-campus housing — Accommodation in Yale's residential colleges (Benjamin Franklin and Pauli Murray) is included in the tuition fee.
- Meals — All meals during the residential session are covered within the program fee.
- Learning materials — Course materials and seminar resources used during the program are included in the tuition.
- Faculty-led instruction — Lectures and seminars with Yale faculty, undergraduates, and graduate mentors at roughly a 12:1 student-to-instructor ratio, all within the ~$7,000 (est.) fee.
How to apply
Applications are submitted online through the official YYGS website during the Early Action or Regular Decision rounds.
- Review the requirements — Check the eligibility criteria, age and graduation rules, and the application requirements on the YYGS site.
- Prepare your details — Gather contact details for a parent or guardian and a teacher or school official, and review the sample application form.
- Complete the application — Click Apply Now on the official YYGS website, complete the form, and choose your preferred academic track.
- Pay the fee or request a waiver — Pay the $80 (Early Action) or $95 (Regular Decision) application fee, or request a fee waiver if eligible.
- Submit and confirm — Submit your application and check your email for the confirmation message.
Eligibility
AgeMust be between 16 and 18 years old by 19 July 2026 (the program start window).
Education levelCurrently enrolled as a high-school sophomore or junior, or the international equivalent.
Graduation yearNorthern Hemisphere: graduating May/June 2027 or 2028; Southern Hemisphere: graduating Nov/Dec 2026 or 2027.
English proficiencyMust be fluent in English to participate fully in academic sessions; formal test scores are not required.
First-time participantMust not have previously attended YYGS, though past applicants who were admitted but did not attend may reapply.
There is no nationality restriction. Each year participants come from more than 150 countries and all 50 US states. Need-based financial aid is available to both domestic and international applicants.
Eligible countries
Open to students from all countries, including the United States
Deadlines
Early Action 2026/2027~15 October 2026 (est.)
Regular Decision 2026/2027~7 January 2027 (est.)
Selection
Admission is decided through a holistic review of each application, including the student's academic interests, motivation for joining a chosen track, English proficiency, and readiness for an intensive residential program. Financial aid is awarded separately on a need-based assessment and is available to both domestic and international applicants, covering up to 100% of tuition for those who qualify.
Verified sources
- Yale Young Global Scholars - Official Siteglobalscholars.yale.eduofficial
About the provider
Yale University is a private Ivy League research university founded in 1701 and based in New Haven, Connecticut. Through its Yale Young Global Scholars program it runs intensive two-week summer academic sessions for high-school students from around the world, drawing nearly 2,000 participants each year.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
What is the Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) program?
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YYGS is a two-week residential pre-college summer program at Yale University for high-school students aged 16 to 18 from around the world, offering university-level seminars and lectures across three academic tracks.
Who can apply for YYGS?
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High-school sophomores or juniors (or the international equivalent) who are 16 to 18 by the program start, fluent in English, and have not previously attended YYGS.
Is YYGS fully funded?
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Not automatically. YYGS charges tuition of about $7,000, but need-based financial aid is available to domestic and international students and can cover up to 100% of that tuition for those who qualify.
How much is the tuition fee?
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Tuition is around ~$7,000 (est.) and covers housing, meals, and learning materials for the two-week residential session.
Does the program cover travel costs?
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No. Travel to and from Yale is not included; students must arrange and fund their own travel, or fundraise for it.
What academic tracks are available?
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Students choose one of three tracks: Innovations in Science & Technology (IST), Politics, Law & Economics (PLE), or Solving Global Challenges (SGC).
How many students take part each year?
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Roughly 1,950 students from more than 150 countries and all 50 US states attend each year.
Do I need an English test score?
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Formal test scores are not required, but applicants must demonstrate strong English proficiency to participate in academic sessions.
How much is the application fee?
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The application fee is $80 for Early Action and $95 for Regular Decision; fee waivers are available for students who need them.
When are the application deadlines?
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In the most recent cycle Early Action closed in mid-October and Regular Decision in early January; confirm the exact 2026/2027 dates on the official YYGS site.
How old do I have to be?
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You must be between 16 and 18 years old by the program start date (19 July in the most recent cycle).
Where do I apply officially?
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Applications are submitted through the official Yale Young Global Scholars website; always confirm the current tuition, aid, and deadline details there before applying.