Explore America Travel Scholarship: Apply Now!

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If you’ve always dreamed of traveling, but weren’t sure where to start, apply for one of HI USA’s Explore America Scholarships. Scholarship recipients will receive 4-10 free overnight stays at select HI USA hostels, as well as a $500 travel stipend. You can explore new cities, live like a local and meet people from around the world, right here in the US. From New York and L.A. to Portland and Martha’s Vineyard, each hostel offers a new opportunity to discover what makes our country so unique. You may just discover something about yourself along the way.

Application due: November 11th, 2018

Program Requirements:

Please visit the program details section for detailed information about the eligibility requirements, application process, and program requirements. https://www.hiusa.org/programs/travel-scholarships/explore-america

To be considered for the Explore America Scholarship, candidates must:

• Be 18 - 30 years of age
• Be a US Citizen or Permanent Resident (possess a green card) or DACA recipient
• Reside or attend school in one of the select metropolitan areas where HI USA is offering the Explore America Scholarship:
  • CA - San Francisco
  • DC - Washington
  • NY - New York City
  • MA - Boston
• Demonstrate financial need by meeting at least one of the following criteria:
  • Current Pell Grant recipient
  • 2017 income level that does not exceed 300% of the 2017 Federal Poverty Guidelines.
• Have a strong desire and motivation to experience other people and cultures through hostelling
• Plan to take a 4-10 day trip to select HI USA hostel(s) within the United States between February 1, 2019 and January 31, 2020
• Employees and relatives of HI USA and its licensed facilities are ineligible to receive an Explore America Travel Scholarship.
• Former recipients of HI USA's Explore the World and/or Explore America Scholarships are ineligible to receive an award.

Award Information

Recipients will receive 4-10 consecutive dorm overnights to be used at HI USA hostel(s). The overnights may be used at multiple hostels. For a list of available hostels visit the program details page.

Awards will be split into two payments: an initial $350 payment prior to departure and the remaining $150 after return. Both installments require completion of program requirements. For this reason, it is important that applicants plan their trip funding accordingly.

Explore America is currently open to residents of New York City, San Francisco, Boston, and Washington, DC.