| Application deadline | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | February 15, 2027 (2027 cycle) |
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| Cost | Last year's cycle (2026): $5,075; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | $500–$8,795 (2027 cycle) | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Financial aid | Last year's cycle (2026): Need-based tuition scholarship for admitted students: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Limited and competitive; requires a separate application with essays.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Need-based scholarships up to fully funded tuition: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Awarded first-come, first-served by the scholarship committee. (2027 cycle) | Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Expenses and aid conditions | Last year's cycle (2026): Non-refundable application fee: $50. Waived for applications received by the Early Bird deadline.; Health insurance fee (international students only): $90; Need-based tuition scholarship for admitted students: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Limited and competitive; requires a separate application with essays.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Nonrefundable deposit of 20% of full tuition, due with the application: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Balance due 30 days before the trek starts.; Need-based scholarships up to fully funded tuition: Amount: Unconfirmed — check official site. Awarded first-come, first-served by the scholarship committee. (2027 cycle) | Last year's cycle (2026): Application fee: $25; On-campus room and board and meals: $0. Provided by the program.; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Stipend or pay | Unconfirmed — check official site | Unconfirmed — check official site | Last year's cycle (2026): Stipend on completion of a successful research project report: $750; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Eligibility | Grades 8–12 when applying; check the provider's rules for graduating seniors | Unconfirmed — check official site | Grade 12 and first-year college (provider uses rising grades) |
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| Additional eligibility | Requirement: Open to students currently in grades 8–12 when applying; Requirement: Good academic standing with at least a 2.0 GPA; Requirement: International students need no visa or TOEFL score for the Academies | Ages 13–18; Requirement: Each trek has its own age band, e.g. Wild Country 13-15 and Mountain Desert 16-18; Requirement: Prairie Trek is for male-identifying trekkers and Turquoise Trail for female trekkers | Minimum age 17; Citizenship: US citizen; Citizenship: US permanent resident; Requirement: Open to rising grades 12–13; Requirement: Must be at least 17 years old by the program start date, with no exceptions; Requirement: Open to rising high school seniors and to students graduating from high school right before the program |
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| Session dates or duration | Last year's cycle (2026): Starts June 7, 2026; Ends June 19, 2026; 2 weeks; 2027: Unconfirmed — check official site | Starts June 20, 2027; Ends August 1, 2027; 2–6 weeks (2027 cycle) | Starts June 20, 2027; Ends August 5, 2027; 7 weeks (2027 cycle) |
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| Format | In person | In person | In person |
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| Housing and supervision | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site | Residential. Supervision and housing details: Unconfirmed — check official site |
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| Location | Washington, DC | Thoreau, NM, AZ, UT, CO | Lubbock, TX |
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| Selection and application | Selection: Earlier Academy admissions described rolling review and first-come seat registration; next-cycle availability is not established. Application materials: 300- to 500-word personal statement | Selection: Trek acceptance is based on the application and ability to participate fully; Pick Your Price selection does not affect admission. Capacity, fit, health and safety, and financial-aid availability can still limit placement. Application materials: For need-based aid: separate scholarship form, amount requested, household financial information, parent statement, and applicant written statement or video | Application materials: Short essays; Three recommendations via online questionnaire, at least two from teachers |
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| Official sources | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24Source 4 · checked 2026-08-22Source 5 · checked 2026-08-22 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24Source 4 · checked 2026-10-24Source 5 · checked 2026-10-24Source 6 · checked 2026-10-24Source 7 · checked 2026-10-24Source 8 · checked 2026-10-24Source 9 · checked 2026-08-20Source 10 · checked 2026-08-20Source 11 · checked 2026-08-20 | Source 1 · checked 2026-10-24Source 2 · checked 2026-10-24Source 3 · checked 2026-10-24Source 4 · checked 2026-10-24Source 5 · checked 2026-08-21 |
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