TL;DR: AFS Philippines lists study-abroad programmes for ages 15, 16 and 17, running from four weeks to ten months or more, with current destinations in China, Malaysia, Thailand, Italy and Poland. AFS is a non-governmental, non-profit organisation, not a government agency, and most of its programmes carry a family-paid programme fee. The fully funded route Filipinos most often mean by "AFS" is actually the Kennedy-Lugar YES Program to the United States, a U.S. Department of State scholarship that AFS Philippines administers locally. AFS does not publish its programme fees online, so you get those by asking.
Introduction
When Filipinos think about studying abroad in high school, AFS is often the first name that comes up — and for good reason. AFS Intercultural Programs is one of the world's oldest and most established student exchange organizations, and AFS Philippines has been sending Filipino teenagers overseas and hosting foreign students here for decades.
The goal is bigger than just school. AFS aims to develop "active global citizens" — young people who live with a host family in another country, attend a local school, learn the language and culture, and come home with a wider view of the world. Some go on full scholarships; others fund their own exchange.
This guide covers what AFS Philippines currently lists, the age window, the scholarship-versus-self-funded picture, and how to apply. It pairs with our overview of student exchange programs for Filipinos.
One thing to fix at the outset. AFS Intercultural Programs describes itself as "an international, voluntary, non-governmental, non-profit organization." It is not a government agency and it does not run on public money, which is why most of its programmes carry a fee. Families sometimes arrive expecting a government scholarship and find a price list.
What AFS Philippines Currently Offers
AFS Philippines groups its offer into study-abroad programmes, short-term and summer study abroad, language learning, and high school abroad. Rather than paraphrase, here is what the organisation itself lists:
| Item | What AFS Philippines states |
|---|---|
| Age range | 15, 16, 17 |
| Programme lengths | 4 weeks, or 10 months and more |
| Current destinations | China, Malaysia, Thailand (Asia); Italy, Poland (Europe) |
| Programme types | Study abroad, short-term study abroad, summer study abroad, language learning, high school abroad |
| Funding | Scholarships available; amounts not published |
| Office | Unit 1609, 16/F Antel Global Corporate Center, Doña Julia Vargas Ave., Ortigas Center, Pasig City |
AFS Philippines also runs several programmes that are not high-school exchanges: an Educators Program, English Learning Plus Volunteer Work, University Programs, and Foreign Volunteer Programs. Details for those sit in downloadable documents rather than on the site's public pages, so ask the office directly.
Note what is absent from that table: any peso figure. AFS Philippines does not publish programme fees on its website. Nobody who quotes you an AFS price range online is reading it off an AFS page. Ring the office on +63 (2) 8660-6500 and ask for the full fee breakdown for the specific destination and length you want.
The destination list moves between cycles, and the current list is noticeably shorter than the "many countries" AFS is famous for globally. Check what is actually open before you build a plan around a country.
The Fully Funded Route: Kennedy-Lugar YES
When Filipino families say "AFS scholarship," they usually mean the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study Program, which AFS Philippines administers locally. It is worth being precise about what YES is, because it is not an AFS programme in the way the others are:
- It is a U.S. Department of State scholarship, run by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs through implementing partners.
- Congress created it in October 2002, in response to the September 11 attacks, to bring high school students from countries with significant Muslim populations to the United States.
- Since 2003, nearly 13,000 students from more than 45 countries have taken part.
- It is fully funded and runs for about ten months, with the student living with an American host family and attending an American high school.
- Selection is merit-based and competitive, involving tests and interviews.
That is the route to prioritise if budget is the binding constraint. Read our dedicated YES Program Philippines guide for the application specifics.
Eligibility Basics
| Requirement | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Filipino citizen or resident |
| Level | Secondary (high school) students for the main exchanges |
| Age | 15, 16 or 17 per AFS Philippines, narrowing further by destination |
| Academic standing | A reasonable academic record; specific requirements vary by programme |
| Adaptability | Openness, maturity and readiness to live in another household |
| Funding | A competitive scholarship, or the ability to pay a programme fee |
Age is the requirement that most often disqualifies people quietly, because the host country's school system sets its own limits. Confirm the window for your target country early, before you invest months in an application.
Scholarship vs Self-Funded: What to Expect
This is the most important thing to understand about AFS. Not every AFS programme is funded.
- Fully funded scholarships like YES cover airfare, host family, schooling and a stipend — but they are merit-based and very competitive.
- Partial scholarships and financial aid exist for some AFS programmes. AFS states that it "expands access to intercultural education with scholarships and outreach" without publishing amounts, so the size of any award is something you establish in conversation with the office.
- Self-funded programmes require your family to cover a programme fee. AFS does not publish these, and they are the reason the honest advice is to get a written breakdown before committing to anything.
If budget is your main concern, chase the funded routes first, then look at our roundups of fully funded scholarships abroad for Filipinos and scholarships for Filipino college students. For realistic overseas cost expectations, see the cost of studying abroad for Filipinos.
How to Apply
Applications go through AFS Philippines (afs.ph), the official chapter.
- Browse current programs. Check afs.ph for the destinations, lengths, and funding options open for the cycle.
- Confirm eligibility for your chosen program. Age windows and requirements vary by country and program type.
- Start your application. Expect personal information, academic records, essays, and family/parental consent documents.
- Apply for scholarships if eligible. For competitive funded slots like YES, prepare strong essays and be ready for tests and interviews.
- Complete selection and orientation. Shortlisted students go through interviews; selected students attend pre-departure orientation.
- Prepare for departure. Sort out passport, visa, and travel once placed.
Whether funded or self-funded, a thoughtful application that shows curiosity, maturity, and resilience goes a long way. Our guide on how to get a scholarship in the Philippines has transferable tips for the funded programs.
What Makes AFS Different
AFS has been doing intercultural exchange for over a century, which gives it a few real advantages. It operates a global network of chapters, so there is structured support on both ends — in the Philippines before you leave and in your host country while you are there. Host families are volunteers who are vetted and oriented, and AFS provides ongoing guidance for the inevitable bumps of culture shock, homesickness, and adjusting to a new school.
For parents, that support network is often the deciding factor. Sending a teenager abroad for months is a big leap of faith, and AFS's long track record and local presence make it feel more manageable than arranging an exchange independently.
Is AFS Worth It?
For many returnees, absolutely. An AFS year abroad builds independence, language skills, cross-cultural confidence, and friendships that last for life — qualities that help with college applications and future careers back home. The trade-off is cost (for self-funded routes) and the very real challenge of adapting to a new family, school, and culture far from home. Go in with realistic expectations, and the experience can be transformative.
Budgeting for a Self-Funded AFS Program
If you are not on a fully funded scholarship, cost is the biggest factor in the decision — and it is the one piece of information AFS does not put on its website.
Self-funded programme fees generally bundle placement with a host family, school enrolment, in-country and AFS support, and often insurance. What they usually do not cover is personal spending money, optional trips, and some travel-related costs. But "generally" and "usually" are doing real work in those sentences, which is precisely why you should not budget from them.
A few practical steps:
- Ask for the full fee breakdown in writing for your specific destination and programme length before committing to anything. Ask explicitly what is excluded.
- Plan for the extras the fee will not carry: passport and visa fees, a personal allowance, and gifts for your host family.
- Ask directly whether partial scholarships or financial aid apply to your chosen programme, and for how much. AFS confirms these exist without publishing amounts, so the number only comes from asking.
- Compare against the funded alternative. If you qualify for YES, it removes essentially all of this cost.
For a realistic sense of overseas study expenses generally, see our breakdown of the cost of studying abroad for Filipinos.
How AFS Stacks Up Against Other Exchanges
AFS is one of several routes for Filipino students. Here is how it compares to the U.S. government programmes Filipinos most often consider:
| Programme | Level | Funding | Destinations | Who runs it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AFS exchanges | High school (15-17) | Scholarship or self-funded | China, Malaysia, Thailand, Italy, Poland at present | AFS Philippines, an NGO |
| Kennedy-Lugar YES | High school | Fully funded | USA only | U.S. Department of State, administered by AFS Philippines |
| Global UGRAD | Undergraduate | Fully funded | USA only | U.S. Department of State |
If you have your heart set on the United States and want a funded route, read the YES Program Philippines guide for high schoolers and Global UGRAD for college students. AFS is the better fit when you want a destination outside the United States or a shorter programme than a full academic year.
Sources
- AFS Philippines — age range 15-17, programme lengths, current destinations, non-profit NGO status, office address and phone number
- AFS Philippines — Programs — the Educators, English Learning Plus Volunteer Work, University and Foreign Volunteer programme lines
- Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) — U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs — funding source and programme design
- YES Programs — About Us — congressional authorisation in October 2002, participant and country counts since 2003
- American Councils for International Education — Kennedy-Lugar YES Program — implementing-partner structure
On the absent fee figures. AFS Philippines does not publish programme fees or scholarship amounts on its website, and we have not substituted an estimate for them. Any peso range you find elsewhere for an AFS programme is someone's guess. Get yours from the AFS office in Pasig, in writing.
Exploring your options? Whether you go abroad or stay home, start by comparing Philippine universities, courses and tuition on SchoolFinderPH, or browse scholarships for Filipino students.
