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2015-2016 NSLI-Y Online Application Instructions

General Help:
Using the Application Website
Getting Started
Important Reminders
Application Checklist
Application Sections:
1: About the Application Table of Contents and Deadlines
2: About the Application How to Apply
3: Personal Information About You
4: Personal Information School Information
5: Personal Information Family Information
6: Personal Information Certify Your Eligibility
7: Personal Information International Experience
8: Personal Information Activities, Awards, and Interests
9: Personal Information Photos (Upload)
10: Personal Information Statistical Information
11: Recommendation Requests Teacher Recommendation
12: Recommendation Requests Parent/Legal Guardian Statement
13: Placement Information Program Preferences
14: Placement Information Placement Information
15: Placement Information Medical Information
16: Self Introduction to Host Family and Language Instructors
17: Essays
18: Language Experience Knowledge of Languages
19: Language Experience Self Assessment of NSLI-Y Languages
20: Documents to Mail to American Councils
21: Review and Submit

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Using the Application Website

NSLI-Y recommends using one of the following web browsers: Firefox 3 or higher
(preferred), Chrome 16 or higher, Internet Explorer 9 or higher, Safari 3.1 or higher.
Add ais_accounts@americancouncils.org to your e-mails safe sender list to help prevent
messages from being blocked as spam or junk mail. (This is particularly important for
Yahoo, K12, and AOL email users.)
Fields marked with a red asterisk (*) are required. You will not be able to submit your
application if any required field has not been completed.
Unless otherwise noted, U.S. Eastern Time is displayed on the application website.
The online application form is comprised of several sections (pages). They are listed in the
"Sections" menu that can be found in the navigation menu at the left side of each page, as
well as in the Table of Contents on page one. You may select any section from the menu
to jump to that section. You may also press the (next) and (previous) arrows to
switch to the next and previous sections of the form.
NSLI-Y recommends that you prepare and save the host family letter and short essays in a
word processing program, such as Microsoft Word. You may copy and paste your essays
into your application once you have completed them in a word processing program.
NSLI-Y recommends saving your work often using the Save Changes button at the
bottom of each page as the application website will time out after periods of inactivity
and any unsaved changes will be lost. Saving changes periodically will also protect you
from losing work due to loss of Internet connection or accidental computer shut down.
It is not necessary to complete your application in one sitting or session. To continue later,
press the Save Changes button that can be found at the bottom of each page, and then
log out of the system. You can log in again at any time until the application deadline, and
continue to complete or edit your application. When you sign in to the website in the
future, the application you started will be found under My Forms, and you will click
Edit and choose the application section to continue where you left off.
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Getting Started

Proceed to the application website: https://ais.americancouncils.org/nsliy.

In the Create New Account section, provide the requested registration information to
make your new account. Provide your legal first and last name. Click the Create new
account button to finish. Note your username and password in a safe place so you can
log-in again later. If you already have an account from a prior NSLI-Y application, you may
use that account.
Check your email inbox for a verification email from ais_accounts@americancouncils.org.
(If you did not add these emails to your emails safe sender list, the verification email may
be directed to your spam or junk mail folder.) Click the verification link, which will
authorize your account and sign you in.

From Available Forms, select NSLI-Y Application for High School Students in the U.S.
by clicking the Start link.
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Important Reminders:

The deadline for the online application is October 30, 2014, at 4:00 P.M. U.S. Eastern
Time. NSLI-Y and American Councils for International Education bear no responsibility for
data transmission problems in submitting the application.
NSLI-Y strongly encourages that applicants ask any questions and submit their applications
well in advance of the application deadline.
If you have any questions or confront any technical problems with the online application,
please email nsliy@americancouncils.org. When emailing, please use the following
subject line convention: Reference Code, Last Name, First Name: Email Subject (Ex:
ABCE1234, Doe, Jane: Question about application). Note: Your reference code is the eightdigit, randomly-assigned code at the top of your application with four letters and four
numbers that identifies your unique application.
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Section 1, Section 2: About the Application

Review Section 1 to learn about the 2015-2016 NSLI-Y Application and associated deadlines you
will be responsible for meeting.
Review Section 2 to learn how to navigate the online application.
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Section 3: Personal Information About You
Questions 1 5: Enter your complete legal first and last name, sex, date of birth, and place of
birth. Provide your date of birth in the following format: MMM, dd, YYYY (example - Sep 30,
1997). Make sure the date of birth is not your parents date of birth; we see a few of those each
year. If applicable, provide your preferred nickname or name that you are commonly called in
Question 2.
Question 6: Indicate if you have a valid U.S. passport.
Note: Although a valid U.S. passport is not required at the time of application, all NSLI-Y semifinalists should be prepared to submit passport information by late February 2015. NSLI-Y
finalists will be expected to have a valid passport for at least six months after their anticipated
program end date. (If you are selected to go to Russia, your passport must be valid for 18 months

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after your anticipated return to the U.S., and if you are selected to go to India or China, your
parent(s) or legal guardian(s) may also be required to have a valid passport(s).)
Question 7: If applicable, indicate dual citizenship that you have for any country other than the
U.S.A.
Question 8 9: In Question 8, provide your full mailing address the address where your mail
should be sent. If your physical address is different from your mailing address, provide your full
physical address in Question 9.
Question 10: Input at least one telephone number and indicate the type of phone. There is room
to input an alternate number and if you wish to provide a third phone number, do so in the field
labeled Other Telephone, if any and indicate whose telephone it is. Only one telephone number
is required.
Question 11 12: Provide your primary and alternate email addresses. NSLI-Y requires applicants
provide one email address, but it is extremely useful to have an alternate email address on file.
You may provide an email address of a parent/legal guardian for the alternate email address if
you only have one email address.
Note: E-mail is the main mode of contact for communications that you will receive from NSLI-Y
Administration. Please provide the e-mail address you will check most frequently as your primary
e-mail address.
Question 13: Provide your Congressional District so we can notify Members of Congress about
NSLI-Y scholars from their district and/or state.
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Section 4: Personal Information School Information
Question 1: Provide information about your current grade level.
Question 2: Provide the date which you anticipate graduating from high school in the following
format: MMM YYYY (example Jun 2015).
Question 3-6: Provide the name, mailing address, contact information, and website for your high
school (the School Web Site field is not required).
Note: If you are home-schooled, please enter the following:
For the School Name field, enter "Home School"
For the school address and telephone fields, enter your home address and telephone
For Web Site field, enter the web site address of your local school district or "None"

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Section 5: Personal Information Family Information
Question 1: Provide background and contact information about each parent/legal guardian. One
telephone number and an email address are required. Only input the address of the parent/legal
guardian if it is different than your physical address. To add an additional parent/legal guardian,
press the Add 1 More button. To delete a parent/legal guardian, click the Delete link.
Note: Any parent/legal guardian listed in your application must be identified by the same name in
other forms that require the name and signature of parents/legal guardians (i.e. Terms and
Conditions form). If any parent/legal guardian name appears to be different on other NSLI-Y
forms, our team will have to follow up with the family to ensure it is the same person.
Question 2: If applicable, provide information about each of your siblings or other household
members who are also applying for NSLI-Y this year. To add an additional sibling, press the Add 1
More button. To delete a sibling, click the Delete link.
Question 3: Provide information for at least one adult who does not live with you who will serve
as your alternate emergency contact person. You must input a telephone number and an email
address for your alternate emergency contact person.
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Section 6: Personal Information Certify Your Eligibility
Question 1-4: Review these eligibility requirements of the 2015-2016 NSLI-Y Program. To certify
that you meet the requirements, choose True for each requirement.
Question 5: Review the linked document. To certify that you read, understand, and meet the
requirements, choose True for each requirement. Complete the section by typing your full
name in the field labeled Certified by, which will serve as your electronic signature.
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Section 7: Personal Information International Experience
Question 1: Indicate if you have previously participated in a NSLI-Y program. If so, provide the
information requested regarding your past experience.
Note: Please be advised that if you previously traveled on a summer NSLI-Y program, you are only
eligible to apply for an academic year NSLI-Y program. No student is eligible for a third NSLI-Y
scholarship.

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Question 2: Indicate whether you have previously participated in any other international
exchange program(s). If so, provide the information requested regarding your past experience(s).
To add details for an additional program, press the Add 1 More button. To delete details for a
program, click the Delete link.
Note: Past participants of overseas short-duration Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs,
Department of State sponsored exchange programs (eight weeks or less) are eligible to apply for
a NSLI-Y academic year program. For more information, refer to the U.S. Department of States
Eligibility Policy for American Outbound Youth Programs or contact NSLI-Y Administration.
Question 3 4: Indicate if you have other experience traveling/living abroad and if you have
relatives or close friends who live abroad. If so, provide a brief explanation in the corresponding
fields.
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Section 8: Personal Information Activities, Awards, and Interests
Questions 1 4: List any activities you have participated in within the past three years or are
currently participating in with frequency, paid work you have done, creative work or hobbies you
have pursued to the point of some mastery, and awards you have received. Be descriptive but
brief (e.g., Speech & Debate Club - Secretary) and indicate any leadership roles. Estimate the
hours spent per month and the beginning and end dates, if applicable. To add additional fields,
press any of the Add More buttons. To delete additional fields, click the Delete link.
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Section 9: Personal Information Photos (Upload)
Applicants are not required to upload photos; an application may be submitted without
uploading any photos. If you wish to upload photos, press the Select File button. In the dialog
box that appears, browse your computer and select the image file you want. Press Open to
upload the photo into the application system. You will be taken briefly to another screen while
your file is validated by the system. Please provide brief descriptive captions and identify yourself
in each photo. If you have trouble uploading, make sure you are following the listed size, type,
and resolution restrictions.
Note: Any photo deemed inappropriate by NSLI-Y, in its sole discretion, may be removed.
Uploaded photos will NOT be taken into consideration in the selection process, but will be shared
with program administrators and host families.
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Section 10: Personal Information Statistical Information
Applicants are not required to complete this section. If you choose, you may provide NSLI-Y with
the information requested in this section, which will be used only for statistical analysis of the
NSLI-Y program. Statistical information captured in this section helps us understand our applicant
pool and plan for future outreach efforts. This information will NOT be taken into consideration
during the selection process.
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Section 11: Recommendation Requests Teacher Recommendation
You may ask any academic instructor or counselor who can attest to your readiness to be an
exchange student to write your Teacher Recommendation. It is a good idea to ask an individual
with whom you have taken a class or worked with within the last two years.
For home-schooled students, the Teacher Recommendation must be completed by an adult who
is not related to the student. Possible individuals may include, but are not limited to, scout
leaders, coaches, clergy members, volunteer coordinators, and instructors.
As soon as you decide to apply for NSLI-Y, you should talk to your potential recommender to ask
if he or she is willing to provide you with this recommendation. If he or she agrees, give them the
Teacher Recommender Instructions. You can download this document by pressing the
Document link in the left-most column of the table. Additionally, you can find an informational
document for the Teacher Recommendation at http://www.nsliforyouth.org/how-to-apply/.
To send your request to your teacher:
Provide his or her contact information in the corresponding fields
Press the Save Changes button at the bottom of the page
Press Request Recommendation to send your request to your teacher. (This button will
appear after you press Save Changes.)
Your teacher must complete and submit the Online Teacher Recommendation by November 19,
2014 at 4:00 P.M. U.S. Eastern Time.
Make sure to confirm with your teacher that he or she received the email message and can
access the form. If your teacher does not receive the email message, first suggest he or she
check the spam or junk mail box. Note that K12 email addresses often have strong spam filters. If
he or she still cannot find it, only then come back to this page and press the "Request
Recommendation" button again, to send another message. You are also able to monitor your
teachers progress within this section it will state when the recommendation link has been
opened, and when the teacher has started, saved, and submitted the recommendation.
Further, if the recommender has not already submitted the recommendation, you can change

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contact information input in this section and press the Request Recommendation button after
you have submitted your application until November 19, 2014 at 4:00 P.M. U.S. Eastern Time, if
necessary.
Be careful! If you change your teacher's name or email address after sending the notification
message, it will cancel your previous request and disable his/her secure link to the online form. It
will also erase any online recommendation form that was already in progress or had already been
submitted. An erased recommendation form cannot be retrieved. Consider this before changing
the contact information.
Note: Teachers can check their recommendations after submitting and make changes, if
necessary, until the final deadline of November 19, 2014 at 4:00 P.M. U.S. Eastern Time.
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Section 12: Recommendation Requests Parent/Legal Guardian Statement
Ask one parent or legal guardian to provide you with this statement in support of your NSLI-Y
application and give them the Parent/Legal Guardian Instructions. You can download this
document by pressing the Document link in the left-most column of the table. Additionally, you
can find an informational document for the Parent/Legal Guardian Statement at
http://www.nsliforyouth.org/how-to-apply/.
To send your request to your parent/legal guardian:
Provide his or her contact information in the corresponding fields
Press the Save Changes button at the bottom of the page
Press Request Recommendation to send your request to your parent/legal guardian.
(This button will appear after you press Save Changes.)
Your parent/legal guardian must complete and submit the Online Parent/Legal Guardian
Statement by November 19, 2014 at 4:00 P.M. U.S. Eastern Time.
If your parent/legal guardian does not speak English, you may provide a written translation of
his/her statement. Past applicants have asked older siblings or other relatives to provide this
translation. If your parent or legal guardian submits a translated statement, ensure it is noted in
the statement submitted online.
Confirm with your parent/legal guardian that he or she received the email message and can
access the form. If your parent/legal guardian does not receive the email message, first suggest
he or she check the spam or junk mail box. If he or she still cannot find it, only then return to this
page and press the "Request Recommendation Again" button again, to send another message.
You are also able to monitor your parent/legal guardians progress within this section it will
state when the link has been opened, and when your parent/legal guardian has started,

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saved, and submitted his or her statement. Further, if the parent/legal guardian has not
already submitted the statement, you can change contact information input in this section and
press the Request Recommendation button after you have submitted your application until
November 19, 2014 at 4:00 P.M. U.S. Eastern Time, if necessary.
Be careful! If you change your parent or legal guardian's name or email address after sending the
notification message, it will cancel your previous request and disable his/her secure link to the
online form. It will also erase any online recommendation form that was already in progress or
had already been submitted. An erased recommendation form cannot be retrieved. Consider this
before changing the contact information.
Note: Parents/guardians can check their statements after submitting and make changes, if
necessary, until the final deadline of November 19, 2014 at 4:00 P.M. U.S. Eastern Time.
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Section 13: Placement Information Program Preferences
Questions 1 4: Indicate your preferred language and program duration choices. At least one
preference is required, but you may indicate up to three preferences. You may indicate the same
language in two of your preferences with different durations. Review the eligibility grid and
ensure that your date of birth falls within the eligible date range for the program(s) you have
chosen. Provide a brief explanation (200 words or less) of your choice(s). Consider concentrating
your explanation on your first preference. If you have experience in any of the NSLI-Y languages
you indicated as a program preference in this application, you will be asked to complete a selfassessment in section 19.
Note: Persian (Tajiki) is only offered for the Summer duration.
Question 5: Indicate whether you have applied or plan to apply to any other exchange programs
sponsored by the U.S. government this year.
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Section 14: Placement Information Personal Preferences
Note: This information will NOT be taken into consideration in the selection process. If you are
selected as a finalist, your responses will be used for school and host family placement, as
appropriate; therefore, it is crucial that you provide the most detailed explanations you can.
Questions 1 2: Indicate any physical restrictions, health conditions, and/or disabilities (physical,
sensory, learning, etc.) and explain in the fields that follow, if applicable, in 150 words or less.

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Question 3: Indicate any pets/animals that you cannot live with. If you have no pet/animal
restrictions, check the last box only. If you checked Other Pets/Animals, please list in the
corresponding fields.
Question 4 5: Indicate if you have any dietary restrictions. If so, please describe your dietary
restriction(s) in as much detail as possible, including whether it is for medical, religious, or selfimposed reasons, in 50 words or less. If you are vegetarian, please answer Question 5 and explain
in the field that follows in 50 words or less. If you are not vegetarian, skip Question 5.
Question 6 10: Indicate your religious affiliation, if applicable, and answer the questions
describing your participation in religious services.
Question 11: Please indicate if you are a smoker in Question 11. If you are a smoker, declare your
intentions by answering the question that follows. If you are not a smoker, skip this question.
Read the disclaimer regarding accommodation of restrictions. When you acknowledge that you
have read and understood the disclaimer, choose Yes and type your full name, which will serve
as your electronic signature.
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Section 15: Placement Information Medical Information
Questions 1 5: Provide responses to the requested health questions. If you answered Yes to
any question, please provide a detailed explanation in the fields that follow. NSLI-Y requests as
much information as possible regarding a candidates health status in order to determine the
best possible placement options. This information will NOT be taken into consideration in the
selection process.
Question 6: Read the certification statement. To acknowledge your certification, select Yes and
type your full name, which will serve as your electronic signature.
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Section 16: Self Introduction to Host Family and Language Instructors
Write a letter to your prospective host family and school. Please incorporate responses to all of
the required questions in the body of your letter to communicate who you are and your
motivation for going abroad with NSLI-Y.
Your letter must not exceed 500 words and must be written in English. Any minimum and
maximum word counts specified in the instructions will be as indicated by the word counter tool
used in the Online Application form. To check your word count within the application, you can
copy/paste your letter into the field and press the Save Changes button at the bottom of the
page, which will update your word count.

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Because the Online Application website may time out after periods of inactivity, NSLI-Y
recommends that you prepare and save this host family letter in a separate word processing
program, like Microsoft Word, so you do not lose any written work.
Your letter will be read as part of your application and may be shared with your host family, if you
are selected. Consider formatting your response like an actual letter with a salutation and closing.
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Section 17: Essays
First Essay: In 250 words or less, list and explain three (3) reasons why you want to participate in
NSLI-Y.
Second Essay: In 250 words or less, respond to one of the three topics. Indicate which topic you
have chosen by selecting A, B, or C.
Your essays must be written in English. Any minimum and maximum word counts specified in the
instructions will be as indicated by the word counter tool used in the Online Application form. To
check your word count within the application, you can copy/paste your essay into the field and
press the Save Changes button at the bottom of the page, which will update your word count.
Because the Online Application website may time out after periods of inactivity, NSLI-Y
recommends that you prepare and save your essays in a separate word processing program, like
Microsoft Word, so you do not lose any written work.
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Section 18: Language Experience Knowledge of Languages
Question 1: Indicate the language you consider to be your native language. In other words,
indicate your first language.
Question 2: Indicate the language(s) spoken in your home.
Question 3: If applicable, provide requested information on your proficiency levels and previous
study of all of the languages you know, EXCEPT English. To add an additional language, press the
Add 1 More button. If applicable, provide any relevant information about your foreign language
experience in the text box.
Question 4: If applicable, provide information about other foreign language experience you have
that is not included in your responses to Question 3.

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Question 5: If applicable, provide information on the STARTALK program(s) you have attended.
For the location field, provide the school or university name, city and state (example: Midwestern
University, Bloomington, OH). To add an additional STARTALK program, press the Add 1 More
button.
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Section 19: Language Experience: Self- Assessment of NSLI-Y Languages
Only complete this section if you already study or speak a NSLI-Y language and you have chosen
that/those language(s) in your program preferences. Otherwise, continue to the next page.
Respond to statements about your ability to use and understand the language. Please be honest
and accurate about your proficiency because it is used for placement purposes, if you are
selected as a finalist. To add an additional language, press the Add 1 More button. If you do not
know any NSLI-Y languages, skip to the next page.
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Section 20: Documents to Mail to American Councils for International Education
Note: All documents must be mailed and postmarked by November 19, 2014.
Participant Agreement Terms and Conditions
Print the PDF document, available by clicking Terms and Conditions in the Document column
on the left. Applicants and parents/legal guardians must all review, complete, and sign the
agreement. Mail the original signature page ONLY to NSLI-Y (you do not need to send the other
pages of the agreement).
Mail the original signature page ONLY to NSLI-Y (post-marked no later than November 19, 2014)
ATTN: NSLI-Y File Processing (#1100-TC)
American Councils for International Education
1828 L St. NW, Ste. 1200
Washington DC 20036-5136
Transcript Request Forms only one of these forms will be relevant to each applicant
Official School Grade Transcript
Applicants in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade should submit the Grade Transcript Request to their school
registrar as soon as possible. Download and print the PDF document, available by clicking Grade
Transcript Request in the Document column on the left.
Home School Transcript Form
Applicants currently in home-schooling should have their home school instructor complete and
submit the NSLI-Y Home School Transcript Form. Supplemental material can be included with the

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submission, but the NSLI-Y Home School Transcript Form must be completed and submitted. The
transcript should include all semesters completed in high school thus far and courses currently
enrolled in, if possible. Download and print the PDF document, available by clicking Home School
Transcript Form in the Document column on the left.
9th Grade Transcript and Classes List Request
Applicants currently in 9th grade should submit the 9th Grade Transcript and Classes List Request
to their school registrar as soon as possible. 9th grade applicants must submit to NSLI-Y both an
official grade transcript from junior high/middle school AND a list of classes currently enrolled in
at high school. Sometimes, 9th graders have to appeal directly to the junior high/middle school
they attended to secure their grades from those levels. Download and print the PDF document,
available by clicking 9th Grade Transcript and Classes List Request in the Document column on
the left.
All transcript items should be mailed by the registrar directly to American Councils in a sealed and
unopened envelope no later than November 19, 2014 (postmarked), to the address below:
ATTN: NSLI-Y File Processing (#1100-G)
American Councils for International Education
1828 L St. NW, Ste 1200
Washington DC 20036-5136
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Section 21: Review and Submit
Before you submit your application:
Review all sections. Make sure you have answered all the questions and required fields.
Download any documents that must be submitted separately by mail from section 20 (for
example, transcript request forms).
If you are ready to submit your application, read the certification statement and indicate that you
have understood the statement by clicking Yes. Certify your acknowledgement by typing your
name, which will serve as your electronic signature. To submit your application for evaluation,
press the "Submit Your Application" button. You will receive an auto-generated email from
ais_accounts@americancouncils.org if your application has successfully been submitted.
After pressing Submit Your Application, any sections with missing answers will be clearly
marked in the left-hand navigation. Also, the questions themselves will be clearly marked as well
with a box and red highlighting. Review your application again, enter any missing information,
and then attempt to re-submit your application.

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Once you submit your application, you will no longer be able to make changes in most sections
(as mentioned in sections 11 and 12, you will still be able to change contact information related
to your teacher recommendation and parent statement, and press the Request
Recommendation button after submitting your application). You will, however, be able to
continue to view your application online via this system with your existing login.
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Application Checklist:

Complete and submit the Online Application by October 30, 2014, at 4:00 P.M. U.S.
Eastern Time.
Have one (1) parent/legal guardian complete the Online Parent Statement by November
19, 2014 at 4:00 P.M. U.S. Eastern Time.
Have one (1) teacher recommender complete the Online Teacher Recommendation by
November 19, 2014, 4:00 P.M. U.S. Eastern Time.
Submit the completed signature page of the Participant Agreement Terms & Conditions
Form, by mailing it to the address below by November 19, 2014 (postmarked). (Note:
Participant Agreement Terms and Conditions form must be signed by hand. Digital
signatures will not be accepted).
If currently enrolled as a 10th, 11th, or 12th grader, ask your school registrar to mail in your
grade transcript to the address below by November 19, 2014 (postmarked). Transcripts
must include completed courses, grades, and GPA. Transcripts must be mailed directly to
American Councils in a sealed and unopened envelope.
If a home-schooled applicant, mail your home school transcript form by November 19,
2014 (postmarked).
If currently enrolled as a 9th grader, ask your school registrar to mail in your grade
transcript from junior high/middle school AND a list of current classes enrolled in at high
school by November 19, 2014 (postmarked). Both must be mailed by the registrar to
American Councils in a sealed and unopened envelope.
ATTN: NSLI-Y File Processing (#1100-G)
American Councils for International Education
1828 L St. NW, Ste 1200
Washington DC 20036-5136
USA
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