We know that the experience of working or studying overseas can make a world of difference to a person’s career and confidence. We also know that the costs to get there can be a barrier. The JENZA Travel Group has two funding opportunities for students and 18-30s.
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Youth Access Scholarship Fund
We believe that travel is a game changer. So, we put our money where our mouth is and started our Youth Access Scholarship Fund where we annually donate 5% of our profits. Designed to support young people from lower-income or under-served backgrounds to do a JENZA, BUNAC or USIT experience of their choice – we provide either full or partial financial assistance towards our program costs. Applications for 2024 scholarship funding are now open. Please read our FAQs below before applying.
UK student + grad
BEST Scholarship Funding
A registered UK charity for 35+ years, the BEST (BUNAC Educational Scholarship Trust) is focused on education through travel. Administered by BUNAC on behalf of the BEST Trustees, this funding is open to UK degree-level students and offers financial assistance to help undertake postgraduate study in the USA or Canada. Multiple scholarships are awarded each year from a fund of £60,000. Funding applications are now closed, but typically open between February-March. Check our FAQs below for the full eligibility and available funding.
FAQs
What is the JENZA Travel Group Youth Access Scholarship Fund?
We donate 5% of our annual profits to our Youth Access Scholarship Fund, which is divided into two funding ‘pots’.
The first is administered by us and is designed to offer financial assistance towards any of our JENZA, BUNAC or USIT programs. It is aimed at new customers who might be considering one of our programs - but who require additional financial support in the form of either a full or partial program contribution and/or flight voucher to help them get their travel plans over the line.
The other pot is administered by a different youth non-profit organisation each year, and offers full scholarship opportunities with end-to-end funding for young people in their community to work overseas.
This page is for financial assistance only – number 1.
How much Youth Access Scholarship funding will be awarded?
Do I need to cover the rest of my trip myself?
Who can apply for Youth Access Scholarship funding?
The JENZA Scholarship Fund is designed for young people who want to experience one of our programs, but for who the program fee or flights may be financially beyond their reach. The fund was founded on trust, with funding being awarded in good faith. Please only apply for funding if you genuinely don’t have the means to pay for one of our programs.
Also, please ensure that you have the financial means to support yourself for the rest of your trip – please see the above FAQ for what additional costs may be involved in doing one of our programs.
What is the Youth Access Scholarship Fund application process?
How is Youth Access Scholarship funding awarded?
How is Youth Access Scholarship funding decided?
All funding applications are reviewed by our scholarship committee which is made up of members of our Youth Advisory Panel and team. Each application is dealt with on its own merit and based on the information you have provided.
Are there any Youth Access Scholarship commitments?
At the end of your trip, you'll be required to fill out a program survey - this is for our team to help continually improve our programs.
Plus, provide a minimum 100-word testimonial and minimum 60-second face-to-camera video about your experience, along with 10-20 images of your trip. This content will be used to promote the Youth Access Scholarship Fund and programs, and will be used across our channels to help encourage other young people to apply.
What is the BEST Scholarship Fund?
Who is eligible for BEST Scholarship funding?
You must be:
Please note, the award is intended for courses of study between three months and three years (consecutively), but the award shall cover a maximum period of the first 12 months and is not available for subsequent years of study. The candidate may not be in employment, including work for a North American employer as part of a UK based course, during the period in which they are to be assisted. They may be (and should be) in receipt of other awards, including teaching assistantships, which are solely for the purpose of study.
How much BEST Scholarship funding can be awarded?
Several scholarships are awarded each year from a fund of £60,000. Included in this are the sums of £4,000 available as the Christopher J. Harbour Memorial Scholarship to a candidate looking to do sports-related studies and £2,000 as the John S. Ball Award to a candidate looking to pursue a teaching or geography-related career.
The BEST Scholarships are top-up funds, not a prime source of funding and candidates should be actively looking to secure funding from other sources while in the process of applying to BEST. The individual amounts awarded vary but a typical award is in the region of £5,000 - £15,000.
How do I apply for BEST Scholarship funding?
An online application must be received in addition to:
Each reference must clearly state whether it is a personal or academic reference otherwise it will not be accepted.
The Academic Reference should be completed by someone who is well acquainted with the applicant but who is not related to them. This should not be a personal reference.
When does BEST Scholarship funding open?
A summer of firsts
Millenium, 2023 Youth Access Awardee
"I recently returned to Tanzania after an incredible summer in the US. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity that JENZA provided me this year, it’s been truly unforgettable. I’ve learned so much and had the chance to meet the most amazing people. I was especially excited about the opportunity to visit Chicago and New York after summer camp, two places I had always dreamed of seeing. This summer was full of firsts for me, trying new things, tasting new foods, and even conquering some of my biggest fears. And to top it all off, I’m thrilled to share that I won the Summer Staff of the Year award."
Janira, Best Awardee
What you say
"The ability to pursue my graduate studies at Harvard grew me personally and academically. I am immensely grateful to the BUNAC team for their belief in me, and I hope that one day, I can pay it forward and create pathways for success for other students."
Get hired or get the intel
Full-time student? Spend your uni summer holidays (Jun-Sep) earning $$ and exploring America with JENZA Work USA 4 months. We'll provide your sponsorship, hook you up with a 3-4 month seasonal job, and help you sort your J1 visa. Find out everything you need to know in this online travel talk.
Meet Camp Directors face-to-face, connect with others heading to camp, and (fingers crossed) get hired on the day. To register your interest, apply for Summer Camp USA over on our BUNAC camp page and let us know which city you'd like to attend. We can't wait to see your face, but don't worry if you can't make an in-person event - the quickest way to get hired is in our hiring pool.
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JENZA Travel International Ltd, trading as JENZA, is a company registered in Dublin, Ireland with Registered Company No. 707281 and registered address at 29-31 South William St, Dublin, Ireland, D02 EY96.