Explore the World Travel Scholarship Program Requirements

The following documents are required from all awardees:   

1. Explore the World Contract  
2. Release and Indemnification 
3. Verification of Demonstrated Financial Need 
4. Copy of Government Issued ID (school is not accepted) 
5. W-2 (this award is considered taxable income by the IRS)  
6. Direct Deposit Form
    

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

 Required Documents are due by the acceptance deadline (within 10 days of notification). Failure to submit required documents on time will result in forfeiture of award. 

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

Topics include:  

• Orientation (required)  
• Hostelling 101 – Discover why hostels are a great way to travel  
• Experience the City – Dive into 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.  

Fund requests open during the travel period.  Awardees should request pre-travel funds ($1000) at least 45 days prior to departure from the U.S. to ensure funds arrive in advance.  

The request requires an uploaded copy of your hostel reservation and may include verification of flight dates via the airline. 

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 direct deposit.  

Awardees must depart and return to the U.S. during the Travel Period.  Travel must meet the travel requirements of the award.   

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

Awardees must post two (2) videos and four (4) images to Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and/or Facebook.  Images and videos should follow the HI USA Guidelines. Posts must tag HI USA and use #exploretheworldhiusa 

Once travel is complete, awardees may request post travel funds ($1000). 

Awardees will need to complete a post-travel survey and create a post-travel impact video per HI USA Guidelines 

The post-travel request requires an upload of travel images, travel videos, and the impact video. 

Funds are disbursed by direct deposit. 

Travel must be completed, and fund request submitted, by August 31, 2026. Failure to complete travel by the deadline will result in forfeiture of award, in which case all disbursed funds must be returned to HI USA.  

We encourage awardees to stay engaged with HI USA as a Volunteer and members of HI USA’s program alumni. Awardees can help evaluate applications for future scholarship cohorts, share their travel experience through a virtual program, and/or share information about HI USA to encourage other young adults to travel through hostelling.