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$250,000+ Available for Student Adventures
Transform financial barriers into opportunities. Rustic’s scholarship program helps students from all backgrounds experience life-changing teen travel programs, community service abroad, and cultural exchange programs that build confidence and strengthen college applications.
Scholarship Types & Awards
Need-Based Travel Scholarships
Awards from $500 to $1,500 for families demonstrating financial need. These scholarships make teen summer trips to Thailand, Peru, Morocco and other life-changing destinations accessible regardless of economic background. Priority given to first-generation students and first-time international travelers seeking personal growth through service learning.
Award Range: $500 – $1,500
Deadline: Rolling admissions
Requirements: Financial documentation, personal essay
Merit Scholarships for Teen Programs
Recognize academic achievement, leadership in local communities, and commitment to volunteer abroad programs. Perfect for public school students and homeschooled teens who’ve pushed their comfort zone through school activities and want to gain new perspectives through language immersion and cultural exchange.
Award Range: $50 – $1,000
Deadline: March 1 (summer), October 1 (winter/spring)
Requirements: GPA 3.0+, teacher recommendation, service hours
First-Time Traveler Grants
Special funding for teens taking their first trip outside the United States. Rustic Pathways believes every student, including first-gen travelers, deserves to explore different cultures and build new friendships through meaningful travel, not just tourist experiences.
Award Range: $50 – $1,500
Deadline: Year-round
Requirements: Never traveled internationally, 500-word essay
Gap Year Scholarships
Extended funding for semester-long programs combining adventure, service, and cultural activities. Develop independence and gain confidence through immersive experiences in Thailand, Costa Rica, Peru, Morocco, South Korea, and beyond.
Award Range: $1,00 – $15,000
Deadline: Quarterly (March, June, September, December)
Requirements: High school graduate, program-specific essays
Diversity & Inclusion Awards
Supporting underrepresented students in international travel. Rustic Pathways is committed to ensuring teen travel programs reflect diverse perspectives and backgrounds, creating richer experiences for all participants. Open to first-generation students, public school attendees, and homeschooled teens from all communities.
Award Range: $50 – $1,500
Deadline: Rolling
Requirements: Essay on diversity impact, community involvement
How to Apply for Scholarships
Step 1: Choose Your Program
Browse featured programs that match your interests from community service programs to cultural immersion adventures. Consider programs under $2,500 to maximize scholarship impact.
Step 2: Gather Documentation
- Family tax returns or financial aid documents (need-based only)
- Academic transcripts showing personal growth
- Letter of recommendation from teacher or mentor
- Service hour verification from local communities
Step 3: Write Your Essay
Share your story. Why do you want to go beyond tourist experiences? How will building friendships across cultures help you grow? What perspectives will you bring back to strengthen college applications and serve your community?
Step 4: Submit Application
Complete online application with all materials. Applications reviewed within 2-3 weeks. Early submission increases award likelihood. Don’t wait until deadlines.
Step 5: Combine Funding Sources
Scholarships stack with other support. Use payment plans for remaining balance and explore fundraising strategies to cover flights and spending money.
Scholarship Success Tips
Start Early
Begin applications 6-8 months before your intended travel dates. This allows time to strengthen your application and explore multiple funding sources.
Be Authentic
Selection committees value genuine stories over perfect essays. Share real challenges, aspirations, and how travel will help you discover new perspectives and gain confidence.
Show Impact Potential
Explain how you’ll use experiences from Italy, Greece, France, or Thailand to benefit your school and community. Demonstrate understanding that these aren’t just fun summer trips but transformative learning opportunities.
Document Everything
Keep records of volunteer work, leadership roles, and service projects. Quantify your impact in local communities: hours served, people helped, funds raised.
Apply Broadly
Don’t limit yourself to one scholarship. Apply for multiple awards and combine with other budget resources to make your journey possible.
What is the easiest scholarship to get for travel?
The easiest scholarships to get for travel are first-time traveler grants and need-based awards. These typically offer $400–$1,200 in funding and require only a short essay about travel goals. With rolling deadlines, students can apply at any time for a high chance of approval.
Can scholarships cover international service trips?
Yes, scholarships can cover international service trips. Awards ranging from $300–$1,500 apply to volunteer programs in countries like Thailand, Peru, and Morocco. Many students combine scholarships to offset 30–50% of total program costs, making global service more accessible.
How do students pay for high school summer programs abroad?
Students pay for high school summer programs abroad by stacking funding sources: scholarships ($300–$1,500), interest-free payment plans, and community fundraisers. This strategy makes international travel affordable for public school students, homeschooled teens, and first-generation travelers.
Success Stories
“The scholarship made impossible possible. My son worked with local staff in Costa Rica, gained confidence, and came back ready for any challenge. Worth more than any summer camp.”
— Jennifer K., Single parent, Texas
“I never thought kids like me could travel. The diversity scholarship plus fundraising got me to South Korea. Not just tourist stops—real cultural immersion that changed my whole perspective on life and college.”
— Marcus, 17, Detroit
“Received $3,000 merit scholarship for my grades and service work. Combined with payment plan, spent summer in Thailand doing service projects. Those new friendships and experiences shaped my college essays and future career path.”
— Emma, 18, Oregon
Additional Scholarship Resources
External Opportunities
Beyond Rustic Pathways scholarships, explore:
- Local Rotary Club travel grants
- School-specific study abroad funds
- Community foundation youth programs
- Corporate sponsors for service learning
- Religious organization mission scholarships
Budget Planning Tools
- Compare costs by country to maximize scholarship value
- Understand full program costs including ground transportation and cultural activities
- Create comprehensive funding strategy using all budget resources
Ready to Apply?
Don’t let finances stop your teen from building lifelong friendships, gaining new perspectives, and discovering the world through volunteer abroad programs and cultural exchange. Rustic’s scholarship program ensures every motivated student can experience personal growth through meaningful adventure.
Explore eligible student travel programs for these scholarships and start planning your transformative journey.
Start Your Application Today
Call: +1 440-975-9691
Email: scholarships@rusticpathways.com
Office Hours: Monday-Friday, 9am-6pm EST
Want to explore all scholarship opportunities? Visit the Rustic Pathways comprehensive scholarship portal for additional resources, external funding databases, and year-round opportunities for middle school through gap year participants.