FLEX Global Program
by U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA)
Travel, host family and monthly allowance
A U.S. Department of State exchange in which students from India in Grades 8 to 11 spend an academic year in the United States, living with a host family and attending a U.S. high school. It builds on the FLEX and Kennedy-Lugar YES programs.
Mode
In-Person
Fee
Free
Participation format
Individual
Duration
One academic year
Eligibility
Open to citizens and residents of India in Grade 8, 9, 10 or 11, with the equivalent of a B average or better without failing grades, English studied before, and eligibility for a U.S. J-1 visa. Students who finish secondary school before the program starts are not eligible.
- Grade level
- Grade 8 to 11
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
- Academic requirement
- The equivalent of a B average or better without failing grades.
- Prerequisites
- The equivalent of a B average or better without failing grades
- English studied before, with English ability shown when applying
See if your child qualifies.
Rewards and recognition
Award
Travel, allowance and medical insurance
FLEX Global provides round-trip travel from home to the United States and back, a monthly allowance for social activities and personal supplies, placement with a screened U.S. host family for one academic year, enrollment in a U.S. secondary school, orientation before the program and before returning home, program activities in local U.S. communities, and medical insurance, which excludes pre-existing conditions and dental care. It does not cover the costs of getting an international passport, personal expenses beyond the monthly stipend, excess baggage, or internet and data plans.
Skills your child builds
Key dates
- Registration closes
- 23 Oct 2026
How to apply
- 1Fill in the pre-application form on AFS India's FLEX Global page
- 2Compete through English testing, proctored essays, interviews with FLEX Global staff and a complete application
- 3Finalists pass a medical fitness evaluation
- 4Selected students attend a pre-departure orientation at home
Rules and guidelines
- Students may apply only once in a recruitment cycle
- Finalists must pass a medical fitness evaluation
- Finalists and their parents cannot choose where in the United States the student is placed
- Travel within the United States needs the placement organization's approval
- Participants return home on their assigned end date, and visas cannot be extended
About this opportunity
FLEX Global is a U.S. Department of State exchange. Students spend one academic year in the United States, living with a host family and attending a U.S. high school. They take part in community activities and in American Excellence activities on business, technology, entrepreneurship, government, U.S. history, sports and other sectors. It builds on the Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) and the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) programs.
It is funded and administered by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and implemented by American Councils for International Education with AFS, Amideast and iEARN. In India, the country office is AFS Intercultural Programs India.
Applicants are citizens and residents of India in Grade 8, 9, 10 or 11, with the equivalent of a B average or better without failing grades and English studied before. They must meet U.S. J-1 visa requirements and must not have spent more than 90 days in total in the U.S. in the last five years. Students who finish secondary school before the program starts are not eligible, and neither are students whose family members have emigrated, plan to emigrate, or have applied or are applying to emigrate to the United States.
Students compete through English testing, proctored essays, interviews with FLEX Global staff and a complete application. Finalists must pass a medical fitness evaluation, and selected students attend a pre-departure orientation at home.
There is no fee. FLEX Global provides round-trip travel, a monthly allowance, placement with a screened host family, enrollment in a U.S. secondary school, orientation, program activities and medical insurance. It does not cover passport costs, personal expenses beyond the monthly stipend, excess baggage, or internet and data plans.
What your child will do
- Living with a U.S. host family
- Attending a U.S. high school
- Community activities
- American Excellence activities on business, technology, entrepreneurship and other sectors
- Presentations about the home country to the host community
Mentors and faculty
Private, non-profit organizations in the United States, funded by U.S. Department of State grants, place students with host families and organize local activities during the year.
Languages
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply from India?
Citizens and residents of India in Grade 8, 9, 10 or 11, born between 15 January 2010 and 15 August 2012, with the equivalent of a B average or better without failing grades and English studied before. They must meet U.S. J-1 visa requirements, must not have spent more than 90 days in total in the U.S. in the last five years, and must not have finished secondary school before the program starts.
How does my child apply, and by when?
Fill in the pre-application form on AFS India's FLEX Global page by 23 October 2026. For questions, contact Roli Verma at roli.verma@afs.org or +91 98731 19541.
What does it cost?
There is no fee. FLEX Global is funded by the U.S. Department of State. It does not cover the costs of getting an international passport, personal expenses beyond the monthly stipend, excess baggage, or internet and data plans.
What does FLEX Global provide?
Round-trip travel from home to the United States and back, a monthly allowance, placement with a screened U.S. host family for one academic year, enrollment in a U.S. secondary school, orientation before the program and before returning home, program activities in local U.S. communities, and medical insurance, which excludes pre-existing conditions and dental care.
How are students selected?
Students compete through English testing, proctored essays, interviews with FLEX Global staff and a complete application. English is one factor in selection, not the deciding one. Finalists must pass a medical fitness evaluation and learn their status in spring.
Can we choose the U.S. city or school?
No. Neither finalists nor their parents may choose where students are placed in the United States.
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Organization
U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA)
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