APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2023 IDEA SCHOLARSHIP ARE NOW CLOSED.
Applications for the 2024 IDEA Scholarship will open in early 2024. Please check back here at that time for more information. Winners of the 2023 IDEA Scholarship will be announced soon!
IDEA SCHOLARSHIP FAQ
PLEASE READ BELOW FOR ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Additional questions on scholarships or financial aid? Please call the Global Leadership Adventures Admissions team during office hours at 858-771-0645.
Q: Is this scholarship open to residents of all countries?
A: Yes, this scholarship is open to any student who meets all of the eligibility requirements. These include:
- Demonstrated financial need (an annual household income of less than $100,000.00 USD)
- Completion of all components of the application (including the 1,000+ word essay)
- Confirmed eligibility to participate in a Global Leadership Adventures program
The goal of our scholarship is to provide inclusion, diversity, equity and access to GLA programs this summer.
For two of the three available IDEA Scholarships, applicants must identify as a student of color and provide demonstrated financial need, along with their essay submission to be considered for the scholarships. The remaining scholarship is open to any eligible student with demonstrated financial need.
Q: Will the scholarship cover any travel related expenses such as passport and/or visa?
A: Yes, if the student does not yet have a passport, GLA will cover the costs to acquire a passport and/or visa, if required for the citizenship of the student and the country they are traveling to.
Q: Will the scholarship cover any Covid-19 testing surcharges?
A: Yes, all Covid-19 testing in-country will be covered by the scholarship if required by the country hosting the program. The pre-departure test will not be covered; however, GLA will assist the student to find a free or accessible test to take prior to departure.
Q: What if I tested positive for Covid-19 while on-program and that prevents me from returning home on-time?
A: GLA will purchase a Travel Insurance policy on behalf of each award recipient that would cover any flight changes, quarantine or isolation costs incurred. GLA would pay for any costs upfront on the student’s behalf, and then work with the family and insurance to reimburse those costs. GLA supports all students from the start to finish on-program; students will never be alone and will be well taken care of.
Q: How will I get to the program?
A: Scholarship recipients will be able to book a flight from their home destination to the program destination via our flight booking partner StudentUniverse, and GLA will cover the costs of this flight. Students will work with their family or guardian to make a transportation plan to and from their home airports.
Q: Which programs are open for the scholarship recipients:
A: Award winners can select from 10, 12 and 14-day program options in Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic or Guatemala. We ask applicants to select their top three choices. Final program selection may be limited based on actual program and session date availability at the time of selection.
Q: Do I have to use my scholarship toward a Summer 2023 GLA travel program?
A: Yes, you must apply your scholarship award, should you be selected, toward tuition and airfare for a Summer 2023 GLA travel program. This scholarship award has no cash value and cannot be transferred.
Q: Will essays shorter than 1,000 words be considered?
A: No. You must write a short essay to be considered for the IDEA scholarship, and it must be a minimum of 1,000 words long.
Q: What is the application deadline for the IDEA Scholarship?
A: Eligible students must apply by no later than Wednesday, March 1, 2023.
Q: When will Scholarship Finalists be informed?
A: Finalists will be informed if they are among the final candidates being considered for the IDEA Scholarship by no later than April 3, 2023
Q: When will the three winners of the IDEA Scholarship be announced?
A: The three winning scholarship recipients will be selected and informed in early April.
