| Application deadline | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | March 1, 2027 (2027 cycle) |
|---|
| Cost | Last year's cycle (2026): Free attendance; check separate expenses; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): $100; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Financial aid | Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): Full financial aid: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Expenses and aid conditions | Last year's cycle (2026): Residential lodging: $0. Covered by STARTALK funding for accepted students.; Meals during the residential camp: $0. Covered by STARTALK funding for accepted students.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): Full financial aid: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Stipend or pay | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Weekly salary: $500 (2027 cycle) |
|---|
| Eligibility | Grades 9–12 (provider uses rising grades) | Grades 10–11 (provider uses rising grades) | Grade 12 and first-year college; Grade timing: Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Additional eligibility | Requirement: Open to rising grades 9–12; Requirement: Limited or no prior exposure to Chinese; Requirement: Priority consideration for students from the Southern Appalachian region, especially Western North Carolina and East Tennessee | Requirement: Open to rising grades 10–11 | Citizenship: US citizen; Residency: IL; Requirement: Open to grades 12–13; Requirement: High school senior in the 2027-2028 school year or a 2027 high school graduate; Requirement: Enrolled in an Illinois high school; Requirement: Proof of medical insurance |
|---|
| Session dates or duration | Last year's cycle (2026): Starts June 15, 2026; Ends July 3, 2026; 3 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): Starts August 10, 2026; Ends August 14, 2026; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Starts July 12, 2027; Ends August 6, 2027; 4 weeks (2027 cycle) |
|---|
| Format | Hybrid | In person | Hybrid |
|---|
| Housing and supervision | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Non-residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site |
|---|
| Location | Boone, NC | Providence, RI | IL |
|---|
| Selection and application | Selection: Rolling admission to 18 places, with priority for Southern Appalachian students, especially western North Carolina and east Tennessee. No application count, acceptance rate, rubric, waitlist rule, or decision timeline is published. Application materials: Statement of interest (150-200 words) | Unconfirmed — check official site | Application materials: Letter of recommendation from a STEM teacher or STEM club advisor |
|---|
| Official sources | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24 |
|---|