Global Citizen Year Fellowship
Full scholarship available (need-based)
An eight-month immersive gap year fellowship placing high school graduates with host families and local apprenticeships in Brazil, Ecuador, Guatemala, India, or Senegal.
Mode
In-Person
Fee
$21,000
Participation format
Individual
Duration
8 months (approximately September–April)
Eligibility
Open to high school graduates aged 17–21 from any background. Must be English-proficient and able to commit full-time. Cannot be enrolled in other courses. Valid passport and health documentation required. Need-based financial aid available.
- Age range
- 17 to 21 years
- Academic requirement
- Must be a high school graduate. Must be English-language proficient. Cannot be enrolled in other courses (full-time commitment required).
- Prerequisites
- High school diploma or equivalent
- English language proficiency
- Regional eligibility criteria
- Must be a high school graduate
- Must be English-language proficient
- Full-time commitment required — cannot be enrolled in other courses
- Valid passport required
- Health history documentation required for application
See if your child qualifies.
Rewards and recognition
Award
Need-based financial aid (up to full scholarship)
80% of Fellows received some level of need-based financial aid. More than 30% received a full scholarship covering program costs.
Certificate
Certificate of Fellowship Completion
Fellows receive recognition for completing the eight-month immersive fellowship program.
Opens doors to
Completing an immersive gap year fellowship is recognized by universities as a significant differentiator in college admissions. Alumni have gone on to attend leading universities.
Recognition
International fellowship recognition
Skills your child builds
Key dates
- Registration closed
- 10 Apr 2026
- Dates
- 10 Aug 2026 to 4 Dec 2026
First Deadline
First application deadline for the August 2026 cohort
Regular Deadline
Regular application deadline for the August 2026 cohort
Stanford University (Global Launch), Stanford, California
How to apply
- 1Complete eligibility quiz on apply.tiltingfutures.org
- 2Submit online application (takes under 2 hours)
- 3Gather passport, health history, and financial aid application if needed
- 4Selected candidates receive offer letters with tuition and financial aid packages
- 5Officially enroll upon acceptance
Rules and guidelines
- Fellows must live full-time with designated host families
- No concurrent enrollment in other academic programs during the fellowship
- Fellows are expected to participate in all four program phases
Fees and financial support
Fee details
Program tuition of $21,000 USD covers the full eight-month fellowship including orientation at Stanford, host family placement, apprenticeship coordination, language tutoring, Team Leader support, and Re-Entry Training.
Financial support
Need-based financial aid is available. 80% of Fellows historically received some level of financial aid, and over 30% received a full scholarship. Applicants complete a custom financial aid application to receive a tuition and aid package offer.
About this opportunity
The Global Citizen Year Fellowship is a transformative eight-month immersive gap year program that bridges the transition between high school and college. Fellows live with host families in one of five countries — Brazil, Ecuador, Guatemala, India, or Senegal — and complete apprenticeships with local organizations working in education, health, and sustainability.
The program runs across four phases: a Global Launch orientation at Stanford University, a six-week Country Launch with language tutoring and progressive host family placements, a multi-month Global Immersion and Apprenticeship phase, and a Re-Entry Training phase in California to process experiences and develop storytelling skills.
Over the decade the fellowship operated (2010–2020), 1,000+ Fellows immersed themselves in communities worldwide. 80% of Fellows received some level of need-based financial aid, and more than 30% received a full scholarship. In India, Fellows partnered with Teach For India as teaching assistants in under-resourced classrooms.
The fellowship emphasizes lived experience, cross-cultural competency, and independent leadership — skills that cannot be acquired in a traditional classroom setting.
What your child will do
- Global Launch orientation at Stanford University with speakers from leading organizations
- Language tutoring and cultural training during Country Launch
- Progressive host family placements
- Community apprenticeships in education, health, or sustainability
- Teach For India classroom apprenticeship (India track)
- Mentorship sessions with Team Leaders
- Re-Entry Training and storytelling workshops in California
Mentors and faculty
Team Leaders provide on-ground support and mentorship throughout the immersion phase
Languages
Academic details
Difficulty: Advanced
What's covered
Four-phase immersive curriculum: Global Launch at Stanford, six-week Country Launch with language tutoring, multi-month Global Immersion and Apprenticeship in education/health/sustainability, and Re-Entry Training for storytelling and reflection.
Frequently asked questions
What is the program cost?
The Take Action Lab (current program replacing the Fellowship) costs $21,000 USD. Need-based financial aid is available; 80% of Fellows historically received some financial aid and over 30% received full scholarships.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must be 17–21 years old, a high school graduate, English-language proficient, and able to commit full-time. Cannot be enrolled in other courses simultaneously.
Which countries does the program operate in?
The Fellowship historically operated in Brazil, Ecuador, Guatemala, India, and Senegal. The India track partnered with Teach For India.
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