How To Apply
The application for the 2026-2027 Exchange Year is now open! Applications are due November 1, 2025.
1
READ all about our program on this website before you start the application process.
2
Make sure you live in Rotary District 6970.
Counties in D6970
What is Rotary Youth Exchange District 6970?
This website for students, parents and Rotarians living in one of the following Florida counties:
- Alachua County, Florida
- Baker County, Florida
- Bradford County, Florida
- Clay County, Florida
- Duval County, Florida
- Flagler County, Florida
- Marion County, Florida
- Nassau County, Florida
- Putnam County, Florida
- St. Johns County, Florida
- Union Volusia County, Florida
If you live anywhere else, please contact your local Rotary club.
3
ATTEND an information meeting with your parents/guardians in September or early October.
4
EXPLORE what’s needed to complete your application and start preparing. We will send you an application invitation.
Short Dictionary
Inbound (IB):
A student who is coming INTO Florida and from any of the thirty-five countries we currently exchange with
Outbound (OB):
A student who is headed OUT from Florida and to any of our partner countries
Rebound/ROTEX:
A student who has successfully completed their exchange year, and now can assist other students in preparing for their journey
Outbound Exchange Student Timeline
YEAR ONE:
- August/ September – Attend a scholarship information meeting
- August – October – Work on completing your application
- November 1 – Deadline for submitting a completed application
- November 15 – Rotary Youth Exchange Scholarships Interview Day
- December – Scholarship recipients are announced
YEAR TWO:
- January 25 – Outbound students learn their destination country; begin language learning
- February – First Rotary Youth Exchange outbound weekend
- March – May – Study host language and attend monthly Outbound Practical Trainings sessions
- June – Second Rotary Youth Exchange Orientation weekend & RYE Graduation
- July/August – Depart on your exchange
YEAR THREE :
- June/July – Return home from your exchange year
- July – Rotary Youth Exchange Rebound weekend
Application Package
The application is completed online.
The Application Period for District 6970 is open August 1 – November 1 for the following school year.
How to apply
Process For Class of 2026-2027 Rotary Youth Exchange (RYE) Scholarship Program Applicants:
1. Study and learn about Rotary Youth Exchange with your parents on this website.
2. Attend an RYE Information Meeting with a parent Attendance is a required step in the application process, and can be done in person or online.
3. Submit Part I of the Rotary Youth Exchange Scholarship Application by October 10, 2025.
4. Once Part I is submitted, you may begin Part II of the application and pay the $200 application fee:
All applications are available in a fillable format and must be submitted online.
- You will be assigned a sponsoring Rotary Club and a club member will contact you to schedule a home interview.
5. Submit Part II of RYE Scholarship Application (including all required forms) and application payment as soon as possible. The application is open through November 1, 2025.
- The entire RYE Scholarship Application normally takes 2-3 weeks to complete, so start early!
6. When your application fee is received, we will send out an invitation to the November interview.
Apply for District 6970 if you live in one of the following counties in northeast Florida!
Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Marion, Nassau, Putnam, St. Johns, Union, Volusia.
Components of the Application
- General Student and Family Information
- Student Letter
- Parent Letter
- Photos
- Club Sponsor Form signed by your local Rotary Club and your local Youth Exchange District Chair
- Medical History/Examination Form
- Dental Health/Examination Form
- Rules and Conditions of Exchange
- Personal Reference from Teacher or School Administrator
- Color Copy of Passport or Birth Certificate
- Copy of School Transcripts
- Three Host Family Referrals
- $200 Non-Refundable Application Fee
DO NOT print this, as it is a SAMPLE ONLY. This sample may differ slightly from the new online application.
You will complete your application online only.
Good to Know
The entire Rotary Youth Exchange Scholarship application normally takes three to five weeks to complete, so start early!
• Once you complete Part One of the Rotary Youth Exchange Scholarship application, Part Two will available to you for completion.
• Applications are completed online. Part II includes medical forms, educational documents, and Rotary Forms which must be uploaded to the application.
• All document uploads must be legible and full page 8.5”x 11” PDF. Do not upload JPG files.
• All signatures MUST be in BLUE ink.
• Only electronically submitted applications are accepted.
• If you do not have access to a scanner, we recommend using one of the many free scanner apps available on your smartphone to upload your documents in a legible PDF format.