The following questions are most frequently asked by educators or mentors. If you are a parent or student, please click here for more FAQs.

What is GYLC? Sponsored by the Congressional Youth Leadership Council, the Global Young Leaders Conference (GYLC) offers students from countries all over the world the unique opportunity to interact with each other and explore global leadership issues. The theme of the program is The Leaders of Tomorrow Preparing for the Global Challenges and Responsibilities of the Future. Specifically, the students focus on various global issues, including communications, peace and security, economics, law and human rights, diplomacy and the role of the United Nations. By participating in activities that highlight these topics and utilizing the resources of Washington, D.C. and New York City; Beijing, Hangzhou and Shanghai; or Vienna, Budapest and Prague, GYLC scholars walk away with a greater understanding of the complexities of global issues as well as their future roles and responsibilities as leaders.

How did you get my name/my Institution's name? There are several different ways we may have gotten your name. We provide an opportunity for students who attend our conferences to name educators who might wish to nominate for our program. We also ask educators who have previously nominated students to our program to recommend colleagues who would like to learn more about GYLC.

Please explain what the comprehensive cost will be and who pays this cost.  Tuition covers the expenses incurred by CYLC in planning and implementing the program. Included in the tuition costs are housing, all breakfasts and dinners, curriculum materials and private motor coach transportation between and within the Conference host cities.  Scholars will need money for lunches, souvenirs and other incidentals. The specific tuition amounts for each location can be found on the enrollment application. Students are responsible for covering the cost of tuition to attend GYLC.

Who pays for students' travel to and from GYLC? Students are responsible for arranging and financing their own travel costs. Once enrolled, students may contact our Office of Admissions to learn if other students from their area will be attending as well.

Is there scholarship funding available? The Global Young Leaders Conference is proud to offer a limited number of scholarships to students. Through the scholarship program, CYLC opens the door to young leaders who deserve the opportunity to participate in GYLC. Access to the scholarship application will be available here once students are formally invited to the Conference. The application specifies the information and materials students need to submit to be considered for a scholarship, such as a list of extracurricular involvements and achievements. Scholarship applicants receive their results via e-mail within two weeks of the scholarship application deadline.

For nominees who are interested in fundraising to help offset the cost of tuition, CYLC has prepared an online, interactive Sponsorships & Student Fundraising Guide featuring helpful, step-by-step suggestions and activities that will enable nominees to fundraise. Approximately one-third of our students fundraise for part or all of their tuition.

Can educators come to GYLC? GYLC is a student program, and we do not have the resources to arrange for accommodations and travel for educators who wish to observe. The Conference is not available for observation, as students may be more inhibited with additional adults in attendance.

What about visas? Do you help obtain them? While we cannot guarantee that your nominees will obtain a visas, we are happy to provide a general letter to contacts at the Embassy on their behalf. The letter will state the general mission of the Global Young Leaders Conference and the expected dates your students will be traveling and returning to their home country.

Can we speak to educators at schools from our area that have previously nominated students? We are happy to provide the contact information of parents whose students have previously attended other CYLC programs. Unfortunately, we cannot provide contact information for educators or institutions. However, if you speak with parents of former students, you may be directed to an educator or other school official.

How do I nominate my students? As an educator, you may recognize your students by nominating them to attend the Global Young Leaders Conference. We ask that you personally select only those students who can meet the challenge of our academic curriculum and who merit the distinction of a nomination. To nominate your students, click here. You may also complete and return the nomination certificate you received in the mail.

If I nominate a student, how can I be sure his or her information is safe? GYLC protects, secures and never shares your nominees' information. For over 25 years, we have been recognizing the highest-achieving students in the nation, and we maintain the strictest, most comprehensive privacy policy possible. Click here to view our privacy policy.

Need more information? Contact the Office of Educator Relations by e-mail at gylc_educator@cylc.org. In the Online Community, you can get your questions answered and network with other GYLC educators.