Travel Bigo



Scholarship Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What if I don't hear from you?
  2. If I am a finalist does that mean I've won?
  3. I am a home-schooled student. Can I participate in the essay contest?
  4. Are international students eligible for an FTF Scholarship?
  5. What about the winners?
  6. What is Parent's Consent for finalists under 18 years of age?
  7. If I receive a 1st, 2nd, 3rd place prize or Honorable Mention certificate, how will it be provided to me?
  8. How do I submit my entry?
  9. What if I have computer problems and miss the deadline?
  10. When is the entry deadline?
  11. How will Teen Travel Essays be judged?
  12. What style is most appropriate for Teen Travel Essays?
  13. How long should entries be?
  14. Who is eligible for an FTF Scholarship?

What if I don't hear from you?

If you haven't heard from us by October 20, 2008, it means that you are not in the running for any of the Teen Travel Essay awards this time around. Applicants should be sure to look at travelBIGO.com after November 17, 2008 so you can read the winning essays and get yourself ready to enter again next year!

Travel Journals are selected for a Punzabo award each month and authors will be notified.
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If I am a finalist does that mean I've won?

If you are selected as a Teen Travel Essay 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.
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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 for a Teen Travel Essay Scholarship.

Remember, the Punzabo award for most popular Travel Journal is open to anyone.
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Are international students eligible for an FTF 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 for a Teen Travel Essay scholarship.

Punzabo awards will be given out to most popular Travel Journals, with no special eligibility requirements. Citizenship has no bearing on eligibility, and the essay can be in any language.
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What about the winners?

Teen Travel Essay 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.

Each month, the Punzabo award-winning author will be contacted, and the winner's Travel Journal will have a Punzabo Award displayed on it. All submissions become the property of Family Travel Forum Inc. and materials will not be returned.
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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 Teen Travel Essay Scholarship contest. It may be sent to us by email, fax or snail mail.
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If I receive a 1st, 2nd, 3rd place prize or Honorable Mention certificate, how will it be provided to me?

All FTF scholarship prize money will be paid directly to the winning author. The Teen Travel Essay or Punzabo scholarship prize money check or Honorable Mention certificate will be mailed to your place of residence.
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How do I submit my Teen Travel Essay entry?

Submit your Teen Travel Essay essay by filling out the electronic entry form here. 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, and add photos or videos. Please email questions to us at FTFscholarship@travelbigo.com. No phone calls please.
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What if I have computer problems and miss the deadline?

All Teen Travel Essay 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.

Remember, your Travel Journals can be posted any time and are eligible each month for the Punzabo award, because they are selected based on popularity with travelBIGO.com site visitors who use the online star system to vote for them.
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When is the entry deadline?

September 22, 2008 for Teen Travel Essays.

Any time is good for your Travel Journals.
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How will Teen Travel Essays be judged?

Each Teen Travel Essay will be read and ranked by a team of widely traveled teen reviewers and seasoned travel writers.
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What style is most appropriate for Teen Travel Essays?

Judges will evaluate Teen Travel Essay submissions based on creativity, originality, style and grammar, so any style is appropriate. Please proofread your essays carefully. Essays must be submitted in English.
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How long should entries be?

Teen Travel Essays should not exceed 600 words. There is no minimum word count.

Travel Journals can be any length and still be eligible for a Punzabo award.
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Who is eligible for an FTF Scholarship?

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 the Teen Travel Essay contest as long as they are 13 to 18-years of age and currently enrolled in school.

If you are a younger writer, senior who has just graduated high school, college student or any one else that wants to share a travel tale, we welcome your submissions for consideration by all travelBIGO community members. One Punzabo award will be given out each month to the most popular Travel Journals -- with no special eligibility requirements -- if it's the top-rated travel tale chosen by site visitors. If you are interested in submitting your travel tale at any time, please sign up for the community.
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