The Bezos Scholars Program selects 30 top high school students and exceptional educators from across the U.S. and from the African Leadership Academy to receive a seven-day, all-expenses-paid scholarship to attend the Aspen Ideas Festival, June 26 - July 2, 2014. From the U.S., 12 public high school juniors and 12 educators from respective schools are selected.

On the Aspen Institute campus, Scholars take full advantage of Festival offerings and participate in exclusive roundtable discussions with change agents from around the world. Past Bezos Scholars have met with Twitter founders Biz Stone and Evan Williams, retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor, author and columnist Arianna Huffington, and New York Times columnist David Brooks, among many other notables. It's a week that leaves participants exhilarated and ready to return home to activate change in their local communities. 

Following this "mountain top" experience, Bezos Scholars hone their leadership skills through a year-long virtual series, designed to support them in the creation of their own Local Ideas Festivals. Scholars apply for seed funding to help design, launch and sustain projects that address a community need. Past scholars have tackled a range of topics including poverty, civic engagement, literacy and health among many other issues. This 3-minute video captures the experience in 2013 Scholars' own words.

Applicants must be attending a school that meets the following criteria:

• Public High School (including Charter and Magnet schools)
• At least 25 percent of students are eligible for free/reduced lunch program (this is a firm cutoff)
• Offers Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate or college credit courses

Student Scholar applicants must meet the following criteria: 

• Enrolled in a public high school that meets the above criteria
• Public high school junior during the 2013-14 academic year
• Legal U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident
• Demonstrates leadership in school and community
• Scored exceptionally well on PSAT/SAT/or ACT
• Taking Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate classes or college/community courses
• GPA of 3.5, or higher
• Availability to participate on all dates

Learn more and apply now at www.bezosfamilyfoundation.org/scholars .
Application deadline: February 18, 2014.

SOURCE Bezos Scholars Program @ the Aspen Institute