Many colleges offer fly-in programs that will cover some or all of your travel expenses. Some programs are specifically for students of color, first generation, and/or low-income students, while others are open to all students.
Below is a current list of fly-in programs. Participating in any of the fly-in programs can be competitive and students must apply to be considered. Therefore, just like applying for admission or for a scholarship, students should take their time with the application process and pay attention to directions and deadlines. If a college you are considering is not on this list, check to see if they have travel reimbursements or visit scholarships available.
Note: Bookmark this page and check back throughout the year as other colleges will be added to the list as details are finalized by the colleges.
Amherst CollegeLocation: Amherst, MassachusettsProgram Name: Diversity Open HousesProgram Date: September 22-24, 2018; October 13-15, 2018Application Closing Date: August 13, 2018Description: The DIVOH selection committee will select up to 100 students to attend the event and will cover 100% of round-trip transportation costs (airline, bus, or train). DIVOH is available to all prospective students, but the DIVOH selection committee prioritizes the invitation of students from traditionally underrepresented groups, first generation students, and students from families with limited financial resources. Students who are invited to attend will also be given an application fee waiver, and some fee waivers will be given to students who applied but did not receive an invitation.
Babson CollegeLocation: Babson Park, MassachusettsProgram Name: Multicultural Overnight ExperienceProgram Date: October 21-22, 2018Application Closing Date: Mid September 2018Description: Program will provide students with the opportunity to experience life on campus, including engaging with current students, faculty, and staff and learning more about residence halls, classes, and many other resources. Travel scholarships may be available for students who need assistance getting to campus.
Bates CollegeLocation: Lewiston, MaineProgram Name: Prologue to BatesProgram Date: October 7-9, 2018; October 28-30, 2018Application Closing Date: September 1, 2018Description: Program is an open to first-generation college students, low-income and/or historically underrepresented in higher education. Students can apply for a travel scholarship.
Biola UniversityLocation: La Mirada, CaliforniaProgram Name: Biola BoundProgram Date: December 8-11, 2018; January 26-29, 2018; March 16-19, 2019; April 13-16, 2019Application Closing Date: Registration will open Fall 2018Description: Biola will reimburse flight costs (up to $500) by crediting the cost of your flight to your student account a couple of weeks after you have enrolled and started classes at Biola University. Students must pay a $135 registration fee to cover housing, local transportation, on-campus meals, and an all-day pass to Disneyland.
Bowdoin CollegeLocation: Brunswick, MaineProgram Name: Explore BowdoinProgram Date: September 20-23, 2018; November 1-4, 2018Application Closing Date: August 17, 2018 for September program; September 21, 2018 for November programDescription: Bowdoin will cover the cost of the entire cost of the trip, including all transportation and meals. Program is open to high school students who will graduate in 2019 and priority will be given to those who demonstrate financial need and/or students who will be the first in their family to attend college.
Bucknell UniversityLocation: Lewisburg, PennsylvaniaProgram Name: Journey to BucknellProgram Date: November 4-6, 2018Application Closing Date: September 14, 2018Description: Program is designed to expose high-achieving, traditionally underrepresented high school seniors to Bucknell University. Students who are chosen to attend the program will receive travel expenses and all meals while on campus. Students must be enrolled in an academically rigorous program of study with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.5 and must have taken the ACT, PSAT or SAT.
Carleton CollegeLocation: Northfield, MinnesotaProgram Name: Taste of CarletonProgram Date: October 18-20, 2018Application Closing Date: August 19, 2018Description: Taste of Carleton brings approximately 60 students to campus with all expenses paid. The program is open to all prospective high school seniors, but the selection committee will prioritize students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds. Students of color, first-generation college students, and low-income students are particularly encouraged to apply.
Carnegie Mellon UniversityLocation: Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaProgram Name: Celebration of Diversity WeekendProgram Date: November 3-5, 2018; January 26-28, 2019Application Closing Date: Contact office for informationDescription: Celebration of Diversity Weekends are opportunities to experience the diverse community, academic, extracurricular and cultural facets of both the campus and Pittsburgh. Travel assistance may be available for students with financial need who have at least a 3.3 GPA on a unweighted 4.0 scale and a combined SAT score of 1270 or ACT score of 27.
Case Western Reserve UniversityLocation: Cleveland, OhioProgram Name: Diversity OvernightProgram Date: November 11-12, 2018Application Closing Date: October 1, 2018Description: Program is designed for smart and curious high school seniors from diverse backgrounds to get an in-depth look at Case Western Reserve University. CWRU will cover the transportation costs of participants.
Colgate UniversityLocation: Hamilton, New YorkProgram Name: Colgate in Focus: A Diversity Open HouseProgram Date: October 14-16, 2018Application Closing Date: September 8, 2018Description: Colgate in Focus allows a select group of students from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds to gain insight into the Colgate experience.
College of Saint Benedict | Saint John’s UniversityLocation: St. Joseph, MinnesotaProgram Name: National Fly-in Weekend ProgramProgram Date: November 17-19, 2018; February 2-4, 2019; February 23-25, 2019; March 23-25, 2019; April 6-8, 2019Application Closing Date: Contact your admission representativeDescription: National Fly-in Weekend program is designed specifically for accepted students from outside of Minnesota. The institution will pay for at least half of the student’s travel costs. Applicant must be in the process of applying for admission or accepted to attend. The institution does require a $50 deposit (non-refundable) to reserve their spot.
College of the Holy CrossLocation: Worcester, MassachusettsProgram Name: PerspectivesProgram Date: November 10-12, 2018Application Closing Date: Application goes live at the end of August 2018; applications will be accepted through late SeptemberDescription: Perspectives is an overnight, weekend program for seniors from diverse backgrounds. This program is designed for culturally aware students who are intellectually curious and are potentially interested in exploring higher education at a Jesuit, liberal arts college. Meals and lodging will be provided free of charge by Holy Cross for selected participants.
Colorado CollegeLocation: Colorado Springs, ColoradoProgram Name: Experience Colorado CollegeProgram Date: October 27-29, 2018Application Closing Date: September 28, 2018Description: The programs are open to high school seniors who self-identify as a student of color, is Pell Grant eligible, or qualifies for free-reduced lunch. Once accepted to the program, student will receive information regarding travel reimbursement information.
Columbia UniversityLocation: New York, New YorkProgram Name: Columbia Engineering ExperienceProgram Date: October 7-9, 2018Application Closing Date: Application will be available mid-AugustDescription: Columbia Engineering offers a selective, three-day overnight program designed for high school seniors who are interested in Columbia’s unique engineering program. All meals, housing, and transportation, including travel to and from New York City, will be funded by Columbia.
Connecticut CollegeLocation: New London, ConnecticutProgram Name: Explore WeekendProgram Date: November 10-12, 2018Application Closing Date: October 5, 2018Description: Program is for high school seniors from underrepresented groups and those committed to issues of diversity.
Davidson CollegeLocation: Davidson, North CarolinaProgram Name: Access Davidson ProgramProgram Date: October 14-16, 2018Application Closing Date: August 27, 2018 (priority deadline); September 10, 2018 (final deadline)Description: Davidson’s MVP is designed to provide students from traditionally under-represented groups the opportunity to visit campus. Davidson will cover the direct expenses associated with the visit, including airfare to/from home airport, ground transportation to/from campus, meals, and overnight accommodations.
For more fly-in programs, click “next” below.
