The Foreign Service Youth Foundation (FSYF) offers an academic-merit scholarship for dependents of U.S. Foreign Service employees. The award recognizes young people who completed high school amid frequent moves and international life. The program is specific: it is not available to every child of a federal employee, but to dependents connected to the Foreign Service under the foundation’s published definition.
The competition accepts high-school seniors and eligible gap-year students who are dependents. FSYF lists three $1,500 awards for the 2027 Academic Merit program and requires family membership in the foundation by the time of application. The page excludes children of scholarship judges. Review the exact dependent-status rules before assembling a file; a parent’s employment classification can determine eligibility.
The application deadline is February 26, 2027. FSYF uses an online application and publishes its review process there; decisions are to be posted no later than May 22, 2027. The information page contains a reference to a June 2026 ceremony that conflicts with the 2027 cycle and should not be treated as a current date. Confirm membership and documentation through FSYF’s official application contacts.
Unlike programs that require FAFSA or a particular college enrollment, this award centers on academic achievement and the student’s Foreign Service background. Check the application for transcripts, essays, references, or other cycle-specific attachments, and confirm family membership is active before submitting. The award is competitive and fixed in amount; ask the receiving school how it will be recorded alongside other aid.
Confirm the academic year, local deadline and time, who must submit each document, and whether supplemental questions remain. Keep confirmations and recheck the portal after submitting. Ask the school’s financial-aid office how FAFSA, outside awards, and payments coordinate.
Read the aid-program profile and the FAFSA guide; confirm with the institution how funding is coordinated.
Academic Merit Scholarship 2027 — Foreign Service Youth Foundation.
FSYF scholarship program — Foreign Service Youth Foundation.
Information checked against official sources on October 13, 2026. Funding, criteria, and dates can change; confirm the linked cycle rules before submitting documents and ask the school how the award coordinates with other aid.
Confirm eligibility and the 2027 cycle deadline on the official portal before applying.
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Foreign Service Youth Foundation Academic Merit Scholarship
The Foreign Service Youth Foundation (FSYF) offers an academic-merit scholarship for dependents of U.S. Foreign Service employees. The award recognizes young people who completed high school amid frequent moves and international life. The program is specific: it is not available to every child of a federal employee, but to dependents connected to the Foreign Service under the foundation’s published definition. The competition accepts high-school seniors and eligible gap-year
College scholarship and financial-aid program
Federal Student Aid — U.S. Department of Education
The agency sets rates, eligibility, and caps; the college certifies need, cost, and the individual amount within those limits.
Public student-aid administering office
Sources & references
Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Foreign Service Youth Foundation · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website ↗
Primary source
Foreign Service Youth Foundation · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official application and program information ↗
Primary source
Foreign Service Youth Foundation · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Foreign Service Youth Foundation Academic Merit Scholarship ↗
Primary source
Foreign Service Youth Foundation · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Federal Student Aid — U.S. Department of Education ↗
Primary source
Federal Student Aid · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.
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Official website of Federal Student Aid — U.S. Department of Education ↗
Primary source
Federal Student Aid · Accessed October 13, 2026
Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.