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Accepting the Light Fellowship |
1. What happens if I do not complete by the deadline the form announcing whether I accept or decline the Light Fellowship? |
We consider no reply the same as declining the award. |
2. I am holding off on telling you if I accept the Light Fellowship because of a potential conflict with other awards or plans. Should I contact you? |
Contact us immediately to let us know your situation. The deadline to accept the award is still in effect, however. On the Light Fellowship Acceptance form, you should still select your top choice program(s) and term(s) but use the Comments section to explain your situation to us. |
3. Do I need to send you a copy of my program acceptance? |
YES!...but only from the program(s) you will be attending.
Actual confirmation of your program depends on your providing us with a copy of your program acceptance letter or E-mail ONLY from the program(s) you will attend. We assume that until you confirm your program(s) via the Light Fellowship Program Acceptance form, that you are still waiting for program results; we further assume that if you have not forwarded to us an acceptance that you do not intend to study at that program.
We cannot generate your award budgets or checks until we know for sure and have proof of which program(s) you will be attending. |
4. I found out that I am on the program's waiting list. Would the Light Fellowship office be able to help me with this in any way? |
We cannot intervene in a program's decision to admit or reject an applicant. If they have follow-up questions, or if there is some problem regarding your ability to pay, they can contact our office.
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Light Fellowship Funding |
1. How much money am I going to get? |
There is not a flat grant amount, so as exchange rates fluctuate, program costs change, and new programs open to us, you can imagine the level of detail it takes to get this all done properly. |
2. Will I receive my award in one check or two? |
Summer-only, summer + fall, fall-only, and spring-only Fellows will receive one award check. Summer + year and year Fellows have their award split into two checks, with the second check distributed in January. |
3. What should I do when my program asks for my program deposit even though I have not received my award check? |
Pay your deposits when they are due. Your Light Fellowship award check will reimburse you for the deposit. |
4. The program wants my tuition payment, but I haven't received my check and can't front the money. What should I do?
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If you haven't done so already, send your award e-mail that states Light Fellows win "full" funding. You do NOT need to specify an amount of the award. Furthermore, Late Fall Competition winners can notify them that you will likely be receiving an official award letter and check in April (that is, of course, if your program placement is already settled). Finally, you can reference the Light Fellowship Staff as contacts should a program have any questions. We go through this every year! |
5. What is the International Summer Award (ISA) and Student Income Contribution (SIC) Award, and am I eligible for them? |
Students who receive term-time financial aid can get a one-time grant to go on approved summer programs called an ISA. The ISA will cover a portion or all of expenses while on approved programs. The Light Fellowship is recognized by ISA but since it provides full funding, you won't need one. However, you may qualify for the SIC, which grants the amount expected in summer earnings on your term-time bill. Moreover, an ISA can be used to study at all Light-approved programs, so if you do not win a Light Fellowship but are eligible for an ISA, you can still receive some financial assistance to study abroad. |
6. Can I receive a second ISA if my first ISA is for language study? |
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Please see the ISA Web site for more information. |
7. Will the Light Fellowship pay for me to travel in East Asia before or after my language program? |
Outside of program dates, the Light will only fund those students who are between two language programs, and only then for daily costs (food, travel, miscellaneous). However, many students find that if they are frugal during the program, they have money left over at the end and use that for independent travel. |
8. Do I receive additional funding for airfare if I were to travel home during the winter break? |
The Light Fellowship covers only one round-trip plane ticket between the US and East Asia, regardless of the amount of time spent abroad. We highly recommend that you stay in your host country! There is much to see, and with your new language skills, you will be able to have an experience that most foreigners could not. You might also consider doing volunteer work, or making career-related and/or academic connections. Some students get a head start on their senior thesis. Others invite their families to visit instead of going home. In some cases, the gap between programs can run 5 weeks! Once you confirm your program(s) we will add funding to cover your daily expenses for the time between program terms: food, housing, transportation and miscellaneous (insurance is already factored in for the full range of dates). If you budget wisely, you should have plenty of money left over for travel or other activities. Do something memorable (but well-planned and safe)! |
9. Will the Light Fellowship support (fund) direct enrollment at a university in East Asia? How about a spring break project? |
No. The Light Fellowship only supports study at Light-approved language programs in East Asia. |
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10. Does the Light Fellowship award apply to the Peking University - Yale University Joint Undergraduate Program? |
No. This is not a language program. However, Yale undergraduates can study at the Yale-PKU program with full financial aid transfer and earn full Yale credit.
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Credits and Grades |
1. Can I get credit for summer course work I do on a Light Fellowship? How? |
Yes. To receive credit for SUMMER studies you must first apply to the Summer Abroad Program through CIE BEFORE beginning your program. Credit is not automatically approved, but most fellows returning from Light-approved summer programs receive two credits. Grades will not appear on the transcript.
To receive credit for fall, spring, or academic year study, you must also apply for credit BEFORE beginning your program through Study Abroad at CIE. |
2. What do I need to do if I want to do a Term Abroad (Sophomore Spring, Junior Term, or Junior Year)? |
Check out the Study Abroad Web site, and then schedule an appointment with a study abroad adviser by calling (203) 432-8684. |
3. Can I get credit for studying overseas twice (i.e., for a summer and then a term/year abroad)? |
Yes and no. You can bring back credit from outside Yale for both one summer (2 credits) and one term (4 credits; fall or spring), for a total of 6 outside credits. You cannot combine credit from a summer and a year abroad. If you get transfer credit from a junior year abroad (9 credits) you will forgo the previously earned 2 summer credits. |
4. Will I get a grade at the program? If so, will it appear on my transcript? |
The majority of Light-approved programs give grades, but they will not appear on your Yale transcript. If you get transfer credit from your program, the course name and number and a mark of "CR" will appear on your Yale transcript, but will not affect your GPA or graduation honors. |
5. Does it matter what grades I earn while studying on a Light Fellowship? |
Yes. Students who want to transfer credit from time abroad must earn grades of at least C. Additionally, we will be receiving an official copy of your transcript from while you are abroad, as will your Residential College Dean, and weak grades may reflect poorly on your ability to handle an intensive language program and/or to live overseas. If you decide to apply for another Light, your grades at previously attended language programs will affect your application. Moreover, future employers and graduate schools sometimes want to see these grades. |
6. How do credits I receive from my program abroad affect my GPA and chances for graduation honors? |
These credits are listed on your transcript with grades of "CR" (Credit) and are not counted toward your GPA. These credits are also not part of the calculation for graduation honors or distinction in the major. They are not considered "non-A" grades like the Cr/D/Fail option in Yale classes. The same goes for Phi Beta Kappa - you are considered based solely on grades earned at Yale, or at Yale programs like Summer Session, Yale-in-London, or the Yale-PKU program. However, some Residential College honors may factor in grades earned abroad.
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Health Insurance and Vaccinations |
1. Could you tell me what specific vaccinations I will need for East Asia and whether all of these will be provided in April in time to take effect for a summer departure? |
All required immunizations will be provided to you by the Travel Clinic, which determines what shots you need based on the information you provide them. The Light Fellowship covers these costs if you abide by the instructions in the "Award Checklist" sent to you shortly after being notified of your award. |
2. What do I need to know about Health Insurance? |
Please see our page on Health Insurance and MedEx. |
3. When and why do I need to inform the Light Fellowship if I have opted out of the Yale Health Plan (YHP)? |
The deadline to inform the Light Fellowship is listed in the "Award Checklist." If you have opted out of YHP, the Fellowship will cover the cost of insurance. For more information, please see our page on Health Insurance and MedEx.
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Passport and Visa |
1. Do I need a passport? |
Yes! Take care of this immediately. If you already have a passport, make sure it will not expire before, during, or within 6 months of your return from your time abroad. You can get a passport through the United States Postal Service, (www.usps.com/passport). Also, check out the State Department's Web site (www.travel.state.gov) for helpful travel information, including info on visas and passports. |
2. Do I need a visa? |
The State Department's Foreign Entry Requirements page (www.travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html) lists the requirements for all countries. |
3. For non-US citizens - When and why do I need to inform the Light Fellowship if I have extra fees for my visa? |
The Light Fellowship calculates visa fees based on the cost for a US citizen. Non-US citizens may have to pay more for a visa. Therefore it is incumbent upon the student to notify us that more is needed than what would be allotted to a US citizen. The deadline to notify us of your request for extra visa funding is listed on the "Award Checklist." |
4. Have any Light Fellows used a visa service? |
We do not endorse any visa services, but several students used the China Visa Service Center (www.mychinavisa.com) and the Zierer Visa Service (www.zvs.com) and had good results. These options may be less expensive and easier than going to New York City to do an in-person application at the consulate.
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Airfare and Travel |
1. Can you explain to me how the airfare works?
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The Light Fellowship will determine a baseline price based on the cost of a round trip economy ticket from JFK to Beijing, Seoul, and Tokyo. We will then add money to cover any additional flights or trains necessary to arrive at your program. We generously round this amount up to ensure that Light Fellows will have enough money to cover their transportation expenses. Of course, if you delay in reserving a ticket, your price will be higher than it needed to be, and we won't cover any overages in this case.
You are responsible for arranging your flights and paying for them. Your award check will reimburse you that amount. If you want to add additional legs or upgrade to business class, you may do so at your own expense.
We encourage you to find the cheapest airfare possible and list some travel agents here. Any money left over in your transportation line item may be shifted to another line item. You may also use your savings toward anything that will improve your study of the language. For more information, see our Airfare and Transportation page. |
2. How should I use my time between programs? I'm applying for an academic year, so if I were to travel home for winter break, would I receive additional money for airfare?
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The Light Fellowship covers only one round-trip plane ticket between the US and East Asia, regardless of the amount of time spent abroad. We highly recommend that you stay in your host country! There is much to see, and with your new language skills, you will be able to have an experience that most foreigners could not. You might also consider doing volunteer work, or making career-related and/or academic connections. Some students get a head start on their senior thesis. Others invite their families to visit instead of going home. In some cases, the gap between programs can run 5 weeks! Once you confirm your program(s) we will add funding to cover your daily expenses for the time between program terms: food, housing, transportation and miscellaneous (insurance is already factored in for the full range of dates). If you budget wisely, you should have plenty of money left over for travel or other activities. Do something memorable (but well-planned and safe)! |
3. Do you know whom I might contact about traveling before or after my program? For example, planes, trains, hotels, distances, trip organization etc. |
Start by checking out the Light Fellowship Overview page, which links to student blogs and end of program reports, to see if anyone has written about independent traveling in the area you're interested in. The growing blog page that pulls all Light Fellows' blogs into one place is a particularly good resource. Then, get in touch with individual Light alumnae! Many of them have generously volunteered to provide advice to current fellows. Also, the Lonely Planet Guide we gave you before you left should help you get started.
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Miscellaneous |
1. I have chosen to go to X program. Could you put me in contact with some of the other students who are going to X? |
The Student Advisory Committee has created panlists for each program. Contact SAC for more information. |
2. Should I write a thank you note to my recommender? |
Yes! (You should write a note even if you don't win.) You may also want to write a note upon your return to give an update on your plans and experiences. Consider that this person may be a useful resource for future recommendation letters. Snail mail cards and letters are nicer than emails. |
