Explore the World Travel Scholarship: First Passport Edition Program Requirements

The following documents are required by all awardees: 

1. Explore America Contract
2. Release
3. W-2 (this award is considered taxable income by the IRS)
4. Financial Verification
5. Copy of ID 

• Complete the Pre-Travel Survey
• Submit headshot and video profile as per HI USA guidelines 

Required Documents are due on January 15, 2024. 

Failure to submit required documents on time will result of forfeiture of award.  

All awardees must attend at least 2 virtual workshops provided by HI USA.

Topics include: 

• Orientation (required), 
• Hostelling 101 – Discover why hotels are a great way to travel! 
• Experience the City – Dive into the the culture of your travel location! 
• Travel logistics – How to plan your trip from transportation to sites! 
• Packing – How to pack efficiently! 
• Creating Memories – How to take great photos and videos of your travel. 

Virtual Programs will be offered from January 2, 2024 until March 1, 2024. No travel is permitted until after that period. Awardees must attend at least two workshops during this period.  

After meeting with their Travel Mentor to review their passport application questions, awardees may request passport funds.

• Apply for US Passport,
• Show Proof of Passport
• Meet with Travel Mentor to Plan Travel

Once passport has been received and mentor has approved travel plans, awardees may request pre-travel funds ($1400) at least 45 days prior to travel to ensure funds arrive in advance.

Travel funds may be used to prepare for your trip including transportation*, travel gear, and other travel-related items.

*awardees must book their own transportation

Funds are disbursed by check to the address on file.

Awardees may travel from March 1, 2024 until August 31, 2025. Awardees must travel for a minimum of 5 nights and stay all nights in a hostel.

While staying at the hostel, awardees should participate in the activities held at the hostel and explore the local community. 

 Awardees must post 2 videos and 4 images to Twitter, Instagram, Tiktok and/or Facebook as per the HI USA Guidelines and tag @hiusa and/or #exploretheworldhiusa 

 

Travel must be completed, and fund request submitted by August 31, 2025.  Failure to complete travel by the deadline will result in forfeiture of award. All disbursed funds must be returned to HI USA. 

Once travel is completed, awardees must meet with their travel mentor. 

After that meeting, awardees may submit images and videos with the request for post-travel funds ($1000). 

Awardee will need to record a post-travel impact video and write an impact statement as per HI USA guidelines. Awardees must also complete a post travel survey. 

The post-travel request includes an upload of travel images and videos along with the impact video and statement. 

Funds are disbursed by check to the address on file. 

After everyone has returned from their travels, the awardees will participate in a final virtual program! Awardees can share insights gained from their travels (and discuss their future travels now that you’ve been inspired!)

We will also discuss ways to stay engaged with HI USA.