There is a Golden Ticket Award Selection Committee that will reach out to scholarship Finalists in mid-March to schedule interviews and request additional information needed to complete the application review process. The committee should finalize and communicate scholarship winners by May 15.

This scholarship is about inspiring young adults to see new places and learn new cultures. Eligible travel is international (outside of the United States) and to a country the applicant has never been before. Trips must be greater than one week. There should be an educational component of the trip, such as studying a new language, living or working with residents or some other type of cultural exchange. Vacations with family or friends are not eligible for this scholarship. Scholarship recipients must be responsible for paying for all or some of the trip.

Yes, if the travel eligibility requirements are met, then the scholarship funds can be used for non-program travel fees such as airfare, train tickets, country-entry fees and food. Please share the details about the program you will be participating in and note these expenses in the application form. Award winners will be required to share receipts and/or additional documentation about the expenses to Golden Ticket Award.

You do not need to take a gap year to be eligible for this scholarship. Summer travel and travel programs that are connected with a college program are eligible for the scholarship as long as the trip is scheduled and begins within 12 months of the scholarship award.

It’s okay to apply for the scholarship before your travel itinerary is finalized. However, to be considered for the scholarship, you will be expected to have a solid plan in place by mid-March when the Selection Committee is reviewing applications and scheduling interviews.

Be sure to explain elements that are impacting your travel plans on the scholarship application form, along with the timing of decisions and the interdependency of the admissions decisions with your travel decisions. For example,”I am planning to take a gap year, but I don’t know yet if the college I hope to attend has admitted me AND will allow me to defer. I am awaiting to confirm that I will be granted the deferral.”

We encourage you to apply for the scholarship and share your financial barriers in the application form. Keep in mind that even if you are awarded this scholarship, it is likely that it will not be enough money to fully fund your program, so we also encourage you to seek additional ways to find money to fund your trip. Tap into your friends, teachers, family, school resources and the Internet to help you identify the many ways you can get your trip paid for. Check our resources page for links to get you started.