Two weeks at Yale’s campus. Students from more than 150 countries in the same room. That is the core of Yale Young Global Scholars (YYGS) and applications for the 2027 program are open right now.
This is not a virtual program or a certificate course you complete from home. YYGS is fully residential. Students live in Yale’s historic colleges, eat in the dining halls, attend lectures from Yale faculty and spend two weeks building friendships with peers from every corner of the world.
The full cost is $7500. But Yale is distributing more than $3.5 million in need-based financial aid this cycle including awards that cover the complete tuition for eligible students.
If you are a high school sophomore or junior anywhere in the world, this program is worth your full attention.
At a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Program | Yale Young Global Scholars YYGS 2027 |
| Host | Yale University |
| Format | Residential only no online option |
| Duration | Two weeks per session |
| Session I | 20 June to 2 July 2027 |
| Session II | 4 July to 16 July 2027 |
| Session III | 18 July to 30 July 2027 |
| Eligibility | High school sophomores and juniors |
| Open to | Students from all countries |
| Full tuition | $7500 USD |
| Financial aid | Need-based up to full tuition coverage |
| Application fee | $85 Early Action $100 Regular Decision |
Three Sessions Three Tracks
Every session runs the same three academic tracks. You choose one track and one session when you apply.
The three tracks:
- Innovations in Science and Technology IST for students drawn to STEM, emerging technologies and scientific problem-solving
- Politics of Law and Economics PLE covering governance, legal systems, economic policy and international relations
- Solving Global Challenges (SGC) is an interdisciplinary track focused on the world’s most pressing cross-border problems
Each track runs across all three sessions so your choice of session date and academic track are separate decisions. Pick the session that fits your calendar first then select the track that matches your interests.
Who Can Apply
The eligibility requirements are specific. Read them carefully before starting your application.
You must:
- Be between 16 and 18 years old by 18 July 2027, the first day of Session III
- Currently a high school sophomore or junior or an international equivalent
- Be graduating in May or June 2028 or 2029 Northern Hemisphere or November or December 2027 or 2028 Southern Hemisphere
- Be able to participate in a rigorous academic program conducted entirely in English
- Be a first-time YYGS applicant. Students who attended a previous session are not eligible
The age requirement has no exceptions. YYGS states this explicitly due to restrictions governing summer programs for minors.
Students who previously applied but were not admitted or were admitted but could not attend may reapply as long as they meet the current eligibility requirements.
The Financial Aid Reality
Let’s be direct about what financial aid at YYGS actually means.
The program is not automatically free. The full tuition is $7500 per session. That covers accommodation, meals, curriculum materials, on-campus activities and all residential program components.
What it does not cover is travel to and from Yale. Students are responsible for their own transportation costs which for international students can be substantial.
Yale awards need-based financial aid that can cover the full $7500 tuition for eligible students. The $3.5 million aid pool this cycle makes YYGS genuinely accessible to students who could not otherwise afford it but you need to apply for aid through the financial aid process when submitting your application. It is not automatic.
One more practical note. Fee waivers for the application fee are available. If you have submitted a fee waiver request, check your Applicant Status Portal for the outcome. If it is denied, your application will not be reviewed until the fee is paid.
How Competitive Is It
YYGS draws applications from talented students across more than 150 countries and all 50 US states. Nearly 2000 students attend each summer.
Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission.
The program looks for students who demonstrate genuine intellectual curiosity a clear sense of their academic interests and perspectives shaped by their own experiences and background. A strong application does not try to sound like every other application. It sounds like you.
Deadlines and Decisions
The YYGS application typically opens in mid-September and closes in the first week of January.
| Round | Decision Released |
|---|---|
| Early Action | By mid-December |
| Regular Decision | By mid-March |
Tuition payment deadlines:
- Early Action admits 16 December 2026
- Regular Decision admits 15 March 2027
Tuition is generally non-refundable except in specific extreme circumstances such as visa denial or a documented family medical emergency.
Confirm exact application deadlines on the official YYGS portal as dates can vary slightly by cycle.
How to Apply (Application Process)
Before you start YYGS provides a sample blank application on their portal. Download and read it before opening the actual application form. Knowing what is coming makes the process significantly less stressful.
What you will need:
- Contact information for a parent or guardian
- A teacher or school official who can provide a recommendation or verification
- Responses to application essay questions
- Financial aid information if applying for aid
The steps:
- Check eligibility on the official YYGS website
- Review the required application components
- Review the sample application
- Contact your recommenders early give them enough time
- Complete the online application and save your login details
- Use the Review page to check for missing components
- Submit the application
- Pay the application fee $85 for Early Action or $100 for Regular Decision
- Wait for your confirmation email; allow 24 to 48 hours due to payment processing
- Application fees are non-refundable.
