Frequently Asked Questions

Please review our FAQ below for details about the application process, deadlines, Aspen Ideas Festival and what to expect.

What are the program dates for the 2012 Bezos Scholars Program @ the Aspen Institute?

This year's Aspen Ideas Festival takes place June 26 - July 2. After attending the Aspen Ideas Festival as Bezos Scholars, Student and Educator scholar teams return home to plan a Local Ideas Festival throughout the following school year.

Specific application deadlines for 2012 scholars are noted below. Please note: Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

  • February 3: Complete applications must be received by the Bezos Family Foundation via e-mail, fax or mail. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
  • March 19: Finalists notified via email to schedule a required telephone interview with Bezos Scholars Program staff.
  • March 22-28: Telephone interviews for finalists.
  • April 11: Provisional acceptance of 12 finalists, contingent on the commitment of an Educator Scholar. Alternates and applicants will also be notified.
  • April 16: Student Scholar deadline to confirm/decline provisional acceptance.
  • April 16-May 1: Educator Scholars notified; required telephone conversations scheduled with Bezos Scholars Program staff.
  • May 1: Educator Scholar deadline to confirm/decline acceptance.
  • May 17: Final Student and Educator Scholars announced.
  • June 26-July 2: Bezos Scholars attend the 2012 Aspen Ideas Festival in Aspen, CO.

Where do I send my application?

Applications may be completed online, scanned and e-mailed, faxed or mailed. All forms of applications will be treated equally, but we prefer the online application. The application deadline for 2012 will be announced in fall of 2011 - stay tuned!

  • Online Application form (available in Fall, 2011)
  • Fax: 206-275-0935
  • Scan/email: scholars@bezosfamilyfoundation.org
  • Mail: Bezos Scholars Program @ the Aspen Institute
    7683 South East 27th Street, Suite 224
    Mercer Island, WA 98040

What is the application deadline?

Completed applications must be received by the February 3, 2012 deadline. Incomplete applications, or applications received after deadline, will not be considered.

Are there any application fees or hidden costs to this program?

No, the Bezos Scholars Program covers ALL expenses, including airfare, transportation, lodging, meals and festival fees for student and educator scholars. There are NO out of pocket expenses for this program. However, scholars are responsible for travel to and from their home airports on the day of departure and return, as well as day-of travel expenses, such as snacks.

How many Bezos Scholars will be selected?

12 student scholars and 12 educator scholars from the U.S. Bezos Student Scholars are selected through a competitive process to receive a seven-day, all-expenses-paid scholarship to participate in the 2012 Aspen Ideas Festival (dates to be announced). Educator scholars are nominated by the school principal, and invited to attend if the student is selected. Principals may attend the festival, or nominate teachers, lead administrators, guidance counselors and curriculum coordinators to attend as Educator Scholars.

Is there a limit on the number of applications a school may submit?

Yes, two applications per school, please. For questions about fit and eligibility, please contact Katie Donnelly at 206-275-2048 to discuss. If more than two students are eligible and interested in applying for the program, we suggest the school host an internal selection process to identify the top two candidates who will move forward with an application.

What are the eligibility requirements?

Please visit our Eligibility page for the most up-to-date criteria.

Can you make exceptions for stellar students in other grades?

The Bezos Scholars Program is designed specifically for rising seniors. That means, only students who are currently juniors in high school may apply for the 2012 program. Interested younger students are encouraged to visit our site to sign up for email updates.

Can a mentor or educator from outside my school (i.e. works at a local community organization) serve as the educator nominee?

No. He or she must be an educator from the student's high school.

What if I haven’t taken the PSAT, SAT or ACT?

Results from one of these standardized tests are required as part of the application. Scores must be received by the February 3, 2012 application deadline.

How are scholar applications judged?

We value ethnic, cultural, racial, socioeconomic and geographic diversity among applicants and schools. Applications will be read carefully by multiple people who serve on the selection committee. Much like the college application process, the selection committee will look for well-rounded individuals with diverse interests and will weigh their decisions on a number of criteria, including rigorous course selection, high grade point averages, civic engagement and extracurricular activities.

We’re seeking passionate and intellectually curious young people, who are rising leaders in their schools and communities.  We also consider standardized test scores: higher scores will be deemed more competitive.

How can I make my application stand out?

We’re looking for independent thinkers, demonstrated leaders, engaged community members: curious high school juniors. Help us understand how this opportunity will serve you as an aspiring leader.

Top Application Tips:

  • Be yourself
  • Express yourself clearly
  • Highlight your leadership skills and community involvement
  • Double-check your work and submit a complete, error-free application
  • Be timely: Don’t miss the application deadline of February 3, 2012

When will you announce the Student and Educator Scholars?

Provisional acceptance of 12 Student Scholar finalists, contingent on the commitment of an Educator Scholar, takes place on April 11. On May 17, final Student and Educator Scholars will be announced. View the deadlines at top of this page for the all details surrounding applications and timing.

Does the Bezos Scholars Program offer professional credits for educators?

No, we cannot offer credit.

What can I expect to experience at the Aspen Ideas Festival?

Arrive with a big appetite for new ideas and inspiration. On the Aspen Institute campus, Student and Educator Scholars attend seven days of seminars, tutorials, lectures and debates. They share meals and Scholars-only roundtable discussions with some of the most provocative thinkers, writers, artists, entrepreneurs and change-makers from around the world. Previous scholars have met with retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, Secretaries of Education Arne Duncan and Margaret Spellings, TOM’s shoe founder Blake Mycoskie, Twitter founders Biz Stone and Evan Williams, New York Times columnists Thomas Friedman and Nicholas Kristof, and many others. The days begin early and end late. Each day, dedicated leadership trainings prepare scholars for the challenge ahead: Creating sustainable Local Ideas Festivals that will transform their schools and communities.

What’s Aspen like in the summer?

Aspen is remarkable year-round, but summer is especially glorious. At an elevation of 8,000 feet, days in the Rockies will be warm and sunny; nights are a bit cooler. Scholars spend days on the beautiful campus of the Aspen Institute and nights at various locations on campus and in town.

How was the program established?

The Bezos Scholars Program @ the Aspen Institute, founded in 2005, is a collaboration between the Bezos Family Foundation and the Aspen Institute. It is funded by the Bezos Family Foundation and hosted by the Aspen Institute, a global forum for leadership and open-minded dialogue, in Aspen, Colorado.

If you still have questions or need additional clarification, contact us: scholars@bezosfamilyfoundation.org">scholars@bezosfamilyfoundation.org