Explore America Travel Scholarship

The Explore America Travel Scholarship gives young Americans with limited resources and travel experience the opportunity to learn and grow through solo hostel travel. Recipients plan their own adventure to a HI USA hostel destination city of their choice, and receive free dorm overnights plus a $1500 travel stipend to make their dream trip a reality.

Applications for Explore America 2026 are now closed.

If you’ve already applied for 2026 and would like to check the status of your application, you can continue to access the application portal on the Program Requirements page.

To be alerted when applications open for 2027, please sign up for our Programs and Events emails below.

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This experience planted a seed of inspiration within me, igniting a newfound passion for exploring diverse cultures. I am now more motivated than ever to seek out additional travel opportunities that will allow me to learn and grow as an individual.

Joely Castillo, Explore America Recipient New York City, NY

30 General Awards

This year, HI USA will award 30 General Explore America Travel Scholarships to people aged 18-30 from anywhere in the United States who meet eligibility criteria.

1 Peggy Stevens Award

Each year in honor of longtime HI USA board member Peggy Stevens, we award one additional Explore America Travel Scholarship to a current or former Girl Scout who meets all other eligibility requirements.

Overview and FAQs

Recipients are awarded a $1500 travel stipend and up to 7 free nights at participating HI USA hostels of their choice. To learn more, read through our program overview and FAQs.

Overview & FAQs

Award Requirements

Eligible applicants must:

  • be 18-30 years old
  • be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (including DACA recipients)
  • have a demonstrated financial need
Award Requirements

This trip opened up my horizons. It showed me how much there is to discover even just in the United States, and how travel can affect you and shape you in ways that you don’t expect.

Betty Barnett, Explore America Recipient Pagosa Springs, CO

It was a very eye-opening experience to get to know strangers and explore the city together, with the wealth of experiences from our backgrounds and where we came from. It’s a unique experience that you can’t get anywhere else other than hostelling.

Desiray Le, Explore America Recipient Santa Ana, CA