The Travel Institute has formed a Tripkit Scholarship Fund, offering financial assistance for its new agent training program.
Scholarships of $150 per student are available for the first quarter of the year, while funds last. Tripkit is normally $499.
The assistance is open to inexperienced agents already working in the industry as well as prospective advisors looking to enter the industry.
Applications for the scholarship fund are now open.
A committee will review applications to pick scholarship awardees and ensure they are interested in committing to a career as a travel advisor.
The application includes two essay questions: "What inspires your career choice in the travel industry and how do you see it as a long-term opportunity?" and "How can your unique background and experiences benefit the travel industry, and how will this scholarship for the Tripkit program support your goals in this field?"
The scholarship fund kicks off the Travel Institute's year-long celebration of its 60th anniversary, which will include new programs, webinars and more throughout 2024.
Originally the Institute of Certified Travel Agents, the Travel Institute was founded in 1964 in Washington, D.C., by ASTA and other industry leaders. Its name changed in 2003. Throughout its history, the Travel Institute has educated hundreds of thousands of advisors.
"Sixty years in the making, this anniversary signifies the Travel Institute's long-standing, pivotal role in industry success as well as the staying power of the professional travel agent role," Travel Institute president Diane Petras said. "Throughout 2024, our goal is to honor this milestone with past and current students, educators, partners and industry leaders who have been part of our journey and to inspire even greater success."