Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the CLS Program, applicants must:

• Be a U.S. citizen or national at the time of application.
  • Permanent Residents and individuals awaiting naturalization are not eligible.
• Be at least 18 years old by May 15, 2026.
• Be enrolled in an accredited U.S. degree-granting program at the undergraduate (associate, bachelor's) or graduate (master's, doctoral, professional) level at the time of application. Graduating seniors and students enrolled in one-year master's programs are eligible.
  • Applicants must be enrolled in a program that results in a degree. Those taking stand-alone or continuing education classes or pursuing certificates are not eligible.
  • Applicants must be enrolled at an accredited U.S. institution. Students earning degrees at foreign institutions outside the U.S. or its territories are not eligible, even if accredited by a U.S. agency. Students enrolled in dual-degree programs involving coursework at both a U.S. institution and an international institution may be eligible if they can provide a transcript from the U.S. institution.
  • Applicants must be enrolled in at least one credit-bearing class at or through their home institution in fall 2025. Exceptions may only be granted in three cases as described below, and are reviewed case-by-case starting in late January.
    • If applicants are enrolled in a degree-granting program but taking a leave of absence to participate in an organized term- or year-long study abroad program; national scholarship or fellowship program; or to participate in a substantive co-operative or internship program, they may request an exception to the enrollment requirement.
      • If applicants are not taking classes at or through their home institution in the fall term, they must submit a CLS Enrollment Confirmation form completed by their home registrar in the U.S. Applicants must also submit a signed letter from the program provider explaining the opportunity and confirming their participation. American Councils will provide the CLS Enrollment Confirmation form and further instructions to applicants selected as semi-finalists. If selected as a finalist, American Councils may ask the finalist to submit updated documentation from the program provider confirming their successful completion of the program.
  • Applicants must complete fall academic requirements and maintain good academic standing to remain eligible. Applicants who withdraw or fail to maintain good academic standing with their institution are not eligible to participate in the program.
  • Applicants must be enrolled for the spring term unless they graduate in December 2025. The CLS Program reserves the right to revoke awards from applicants who withdraw or fail to maintain a good academic standing with their institution during spring 2026.

• Undergraduate applicants must complete at least one full year of study (two semesters or three quarters) by the beginning of the CLS Program in summer 2026.
• Applicants must meet the language requirements, if applicable, of the program to which they apply.
• Applicants may only apply once, for one language each year. Applicants who submit multiple applications will be considered ineligible.

The following persons are ineligible for the CLS Program for a period ending one year following the termination of such employment, association, or service:

• Employees of the U.S. Department of State. This provision includes all employees, paid or unpaid (including part-time or temporary employees, consultants, externs, fellows and personal services contractors). This provision does not apply to interns.
• Immediate family members (e.g., spouses or dependent children) of employees of the U.S. Department of State. This provision includes immediate family members of all employees, paid or unpaid (including part-time or temporary employees, consultants, externs, fellows and personal services contractors). This provision does not apply to immediate family members of interns.
  • Self-supporting children living apart from their parents are eligible to participate, provided that their parents/guardians do not work directly on the Critical Language Scholarship Program.
• Employees (and their immediate family members) of private and public agencies under contract or grant with the U.S. Department of State who perform services on behalf of ECA USA Study Abroad exchange programs. This provision does not apply to immediate family members of interns. Self-supporting children or children who live apart from their parents are qualified to participate.