Scholarship Frequently Asked Questions
- What if I don't hear from you?
- If I am a finalist does that mean I've won?
- I am a home-schooled student. Can I participate in the essay contest?
- Are international students eligible for a scholarship?
- What about the winners?
- What is Parent's Consent for finalists under 18 years of age?
- If I receive a 1st, 2nd, 3rd place or Honorable Mention award, how will money be provided to me?
- How do I submit my entry?
- What if I have computer problems and miss the deadline?
- When is the entry deadline?
- How will essays be judged?
- What style is most appropriate?
- How long should entries be?
- Who is eligible?
What if I don't hear from you?
It means that you are not in the running for any of the awards this time around. But be sure to look at the travelbigo.com website after November 17, 2008 so you can read the winning essays and get yourself ready to enter again next year!
Back to Top
If I am a finalist does that mean I've won?
If you are selected as a finalist, it means you are being considered for a cash scholarship or for an honorable mention award. You will be contacted October 20, 2008 and asked to submit a permission letter from your parents if you are under 18 and an official school transcript in order to be eligible.
Back to Top
I am a home-schooled student. Can I participate in the essay contest?
Yes, but you must be able to send us an official transcript if you are a finalist.
Back to Top
Are international students eligible for a scholarship?
If you will be attending a junior high or high school in either Canada or the United States, or an International American or military-sponsored school abroad, you are considered eligible. Citizenship has no bearing on eligibility, but the essay must be in English.
Back to Top
What about the winners?
Finalists will be contacted October 20, 2008. Winners will be notified by personal email November 10, 2008 and publicly announced on the travelbigo.com and FamilyTravelForum.com websites on November 17, 2008. All submissions become the property of Family Travel Forum Inc. and materials will not be returned.
Back to Top
What is a Parent's Consent form for finalists under 18 years of age?
The Parent(s) written consent should be a simple note, signed and dated, that says your parent or legal guardian agrees to Family Travel Forum's Contest Rules and Terms of Service and has given you permission to enter the Scholarship contest. It may be sent to us by email, fax or snail mail.
Back to Top
If I receive a 1st, 2nd, 3rd place or Honorable Mention award, how will money be provided to me?
The scholarship will be paid directly to the student. The scholarship prize money check or gift certificate will be mailed to your place of residence.
Back to Top
How do I submit my entry?
Submit your essay by filling out the electronic entry form on the travelbigo.com website at this link: [http://www.travelbigo.com/scholarships/new]
Fill out the form by typing in the fields. Copy your essay from any word processing program and paste it into the form, or type the essay into the space provided. Please email questions to us at bovalan@travelbigo.com. No phone calls please.
Back to Top
What if I have computer problems and miss the deadline?
All entries must be received by 11:59 EST on September 22 , 2008. Family Travel Forum (FTF) is not responsible for your equipment malfunction, problems with your internet connections or any other excuses for tardiness.
Back to Top
When is the entry deadline?September 22, 2008.
Back to Top
How will essays be judged?
Each essay will be read and ranked by a team of widely traveled teen reviewers and seasoned travel writers.
Back to Top
What style is most appropriate?
Judges will evaluate submissions based on creativity, originality, style and grammar, so any style is appropriate. Please proofread your essays carefully.
Essays must be submitted in English.
Back to Top
How long should entries be?
Essays should not exceed 600 words. There is no minimum word count.
Back to Top
Who is eligible?
Any high school student or 8th grade student attending school in the United States or Canada, or an American school abroad, is eligible to enter as long as they are 13 to 18-years of age and currently enrolled in school. Younger writers, Seniors who have just graduated high school, and college students are not eligible to apply for this scholarship, but we welcome your submissions for consideration in travelbigo.com's annual Bigo Awards. Bigo Awards go to the top 10 rated travel tales chosen by site visitors, and include scholarships. If you are interested in submitting your travel tale at any time, please visit www.travelbigo.com and sign up for the community.
Back to Top
