Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD)

The Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) is a fully funded, one-semester, non-degree exchange for outstanding undergraduate students from around the world to study at a college or university in the United States. It is a programme of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, administered by World Learning, and it combines full-time study with community service, professional development and cultural enrichment.

Overview

Global UGRAD provides one-semester scholarships to undergraduate students from participating countries to study in the United States. Participants are placed at a diverse range of accredited U.S. colleges and universities, where they study alongside American students, take part in community service and attend professional development activities. It is a non-degree programme: participants do not receive a degree from the U.S. institution, and credits earned may transfer back to the home university under that university’s own rules. It is the U.S. Government’s flagship undergraduate exchange programme.

Scholarship Benefits

Global UGRAD is a fully funded programme. As described by the administering body, it covers:

• Tuition and fees: full tuition and mandatory fees at the host U.S. university for one semester.
• Housing and meals: on-campus accommodation and a meal plan.
• Travel: round-trip international airfare between the home country and the host university.
• Monthly living allowance: a monthly stipend for incidental and living expenses. No cash amount is published — the programme lists the stipend as a category, not a figure.
• Health insurance: coverage for the duration of the programme.
• Visa support: support for the J-1 student exchange visa required for the programme.

What it does NOT cover: the programme provides no funds for family members — it is for the selected student only. No separate figure is published for the monthly stipend, so no amount is quoted here.

Eligibility Criteria

The programme is open to anyone who is, or has, all of the following, as listed by the U.S. Department of State:

• Over 18 years of age.
• A citizen of a UGRAD participating country, currently residing in that country.
• Enrolled as an undergraduate in good standing at any accredited university, public or private, with at least one year remaining at the home university at the conclusion of the UGRAD programme.
• Completed secondary education in the home country.
• A solid command of written and spoken English (English-language training for some finalists is possible).
• Able to begin studies in the United States in the fall (August) or spring (January) term.
• Eligible to receive and maintain the U.S. student exchange visa (J-1) required for the programme.
• Cleared by a physician to participate in the programme.
• Committed to returning to the home country after the completion of the programme.

Eligibility and deadlines vary by programme and region. Confirm that your country participates, and the deadline that applies to you, on the World Learning Global UGRAD site or at the U.S. Embassy or Fulbright Commission in your home country.

Available Fields

All fields of study. Participants take a full-time course load at their host U.S. university alongside American students, and the programme is open to undergraduates from any academic discipline.

Required Documents

The documents below are those the programme’s application asks for. The exact list is set by the U.S. Embassy or Fulbright Commission in each country, so confirm it on that office’s call:

• Completed online application on the UGRAD application portal.
• Official academic transcripts, translated into English where necessary.
• Two letters of recommendation.
• Personal statement and essays on academic interests, leadership and community engagement.
• Copy of the passport (bio-data page), where available.
• Proof of current enrolment and citizenship.
• Proof of English proficiency, where required.

Application Process

1. Check eligibility and the deadline for your country on the World Learning Global UGRAD site or at the U.S. Embassy (Public Affairs Section) or Fulbright Commission in your home country. The application generally opens in November for the following academic year.
2. Create an account on the UGRAD application portal when the call opens and complete the online application, including essays and all supporting documents.
3. The U.S. Embassy or Fulbright Commission reviews applications and interviews shortlisted candidates.
4. Finalists complete an English-language assessment where required, and are placed at a U.S. host university for either the fall semester (August to December) or the spring semester (January to May).
5. Selected participants receive J-1 visa support and begin their exchange in the assigned term. Participants may not defer to a later date.

Important Dates

Event	Date
Application window	Varies by programme and region — generally opens in November
Exchange terms	Fall (August) or spring (January)

There is no single deadline — each programme and region sets its own date. Check the World Learning Global UGRAD site or the U.S. Embassy or Fulbright Commission in your home country for the date that applies to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I get a degree from the U.S. university?

No. Global UGRAD is a non-degree programme. You study full-time for one semester, and credits earned may transfer back to your home university under its own rules.

What does the programme cover?

It is fully funded: tuition and fees, housing and meals, round-trip airfare, a monthly living allowance and health insurance for one semester. No cash amount is published for the monthly stipend.

Who can apply?

Undergraduate students over 18 who are citizens of a UGRAD participating country, currently residing in that country, enrolled in good standing with at least one year of study remaining at their home university after the programme, and eligible for a J-1 visa.

Where do I apply?

Through the U.S. Embassy (Public Affairs Section) or Fulbright Commission in your home country, on the UGRAD application portal. There is no single global deadline — each country office sets its own date.

Can I choose my U.S. university?

No. Participants are placed at a host university by the programme. You begin in either the fall or the spring term, as assigned.

Official source: U.S. Department of State — Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD)