Critical Language Scholarship applicants must be:

• • Be a U.S. citizen or national at the time of application. 
    • Others, including Permanent Residents, are not eligible, even if they anticipate naturalization by the beginning of the program.
  • Be at least 18 years old by May 15, 2025. 
  • Be enrolled in an accredited U.S. degree-granting program at the undergraduate (associate, bachelor's) or graduate (master's, doctoral, professional degree) level at the time of application. Students who are graduating seniors at the time of application and students enrolled in one-year master’s programs are eligible to apply. 
    • Applicants must be enrolled in a program that results in a degree. Applicants who are taking stand-alone or continuing education classes or who are pursuing a certificate are not eligible.
    • Applicants must be enrolled at an accredited U.S. institution. Students earning degrees at foreign institutions that are not based in the U.S. or its territories are not eligible, even if those institutions are accredited by a recognized U.S. accrediting agency. For students enrolled in dual-degree programs in which they take some courses at a U.S. institution and some courses at an international institution, students who can produce a transcript from the U.S. institution will be considered eligible.
    • Applicants must be enrolled in at least one credit-bearing class at or through their home institution in the fall term of 2024. There are limited exceptions to the enrollment requirement; please read the following information carefully: 
      • 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 internship program, they may request an exception to the enrollment requirement. Exceptions may only be granted in these three cases, and decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis beginning in late January. 
      • 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 successfully complete academic requirements for the fall term in order to remain eligible for the CLS Program. Applicants who withdraw or fail to maintain a passing grade average are not eligible to participate in the program. Applicants in an undergraduate program (associate or bachelor's) must complete at least one full year of study (two semesters or three quarters) by the beginning of the CLS Program in Summer 2025.
  • Applicants in an undergraduate program (associate or bachelor's) must complete at least one full year of study (two semesters or three quarters) by the beginning of the CLS Program in Summer 2025.
  • Applicants must meet the language requirements of the program to which they apply.