Students are selected in an open, merit-based competition. The program funds tuition, fees, room, board, health insurance, monthly stipends, and book allowances, as well as international and domestic travel. The American Council administers Presidential Scholarship Programs on behalf of the governments of Russia and Uzbekistan. The programs are funded by these foreign governments for degree-seeking graduate and undergraduate students in a variety of fields. The scholarships for degree-seeking students are renewable each year, contingent upon academic performance.
Scholars generally receive funding for up to two years.
Non degree-seeking students may be either undergraduate or graduate students who enroll in one year of course work or research in their field of specialization. This private high school is the largest college preparatory institution in Okinawa and is home to the 1999 Japanese National Baseball Championship team. Shogaku-Gakuen is prepared to send ten graduates per year to study at Penn. In exchange, Japanese administrators are eager to employ Penn graduates as English instructors on their island campus. Each partner seeks to develop faculty and athletic exchange opportunities as the relationship matures.