In keeping with the U.S. Government-sponsored initiatives dedicated to promoting greater understanding with countries in Eurasia, the competition for the FLEX scholarship is merit-based and open at no cost to all applicants who meet the following requirements.

Eligible applicants must:

• Meet the age/grade* requirement set for their country:

- In Russia and Ukraine, students in the 8th, 9th and 10th grade, born from 1 January 1995 and through 15 July 1997

- In Kazakhstan, students in the 8th, 9th and 10th grades and 1st year of a lyceum or college, born from 1 January 1995 and through 15 July 1997

- In Azerbaijan, Moldova, and Tajikistan, students in the 9th, 10th and 11th grades, born after 1 January 1995 and through 15 July 1997

- In Georgia and Kyrgyzstan, students in the 9th, 10th and 11th grades and the 1st or 2nd year of a lyceum or college, born after 1 January 1995 and through 15 July 1997

- In Armenia, students in the 9th and 10th grades, born after 1 January 1995 and through 15 July 1997

- In Turkmenistan, students born after 1 January 1995 and through 15 July 1997

• Be enrolled in a secondary school at the time of application
• Have an academic standing of "good" or better
• Have previously studied English and demonstrate English language ability at the time of registration
• Meet U.S. visa eligibility requirements
• Be a citizen of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan or Ukraine and able to receive an international (zagran) passport in the country where they apply to the program.

* Students who change their grade level to an ineligible grade before their departure to the United States will be disqualified.

Students are ineligible to apply if:

• S/he does not meet the above criteria
• S/he has stayed in the U.S. for three (3) months or more during the past five (5) years
• His/her family (or member of family): has applied or is applying to emigrate to the United States has made plans to emigrate or has already emigrated to the United States.