Road Scholar doesn’t take a percentage off for teachers, but it runs a scholarship built for people who work in education: PEAR awards up to $2,000 toward an eligible program. It’s aimed at U.S. educators over 50, whether you’re still in the classroom or retired, and Road Scholar says awards generally go by household income.
Road Scholar is the not-for-profit educational travel organization run by Elderhostel, and its own site says it has been at this since 1975. Its programs are learning trips, with lodging, meals, field trips and local transportation during the program handled for you. The scholarship applies to the program cost, so it lowers what you owe for the trip itself.
How To Get The Road Scholar Teacher Discount
- Confirm you qualify. You need to be over 50, live in the United States, and be retired from or currently employed with any educational organization, public or private, from early childhood through higher education. You also can’t have taken a Road Scholar program in the last two years or be enrolled in one now.
- Choose an eligible program. It has to be an onsite program in the United States or Canada that costs no more than $2,500.
- Submit one application per person with the program number and date you’re applying for, and answer every question, since incomplete applications aren’t reviewed. Review takes 4 to 6 weeks, and Road Scholar recommends applying at least three months before the program start date.
What PEAR Does And Doesn’t Cover
PEAR stands for Professional Educator’s Assistance and Recognition. The award is up to $2,000, based on the program cost and the required deposit, and it’s applied to the program you pick. You pay the balance after the scholarship is applied, and at a minimum you pay the deposit for that program.
Two limits matter when you’re budgeting. The scholarship applies to the program cost only, so getting to and from the program is on you. And the $2,500 program cap means the trips that qualify are the lower-cost ones in the US and Canada, so international itineraries are out.
Who Actually Gets Awarded
Road Scholar says PEAR scholarships are generally awarded to people whose household income is under 80% of the median income in their state. The application page links a household income table so you can check where you land before you apply.
Other Road Scholar Financial Aid
The financial aid page lists three more programs alongside PEAR. Onsite Scholarships are open to any qualifying participant for programs under $2,500 in the US or Canada. Adventures Online Scholarships cover up to $2,000 toward multiple online programs in a year, with recipients paying $25 per program on programs priced up to $399. Caregiver Grants are for family caregivers and apply to the same under-$2,500 onsite programs.
Q&A
Does Road Scholar have a teacher discount?
Not a percentage off. It has the PEAR scholarship for educators, worth up to $2,000 toward an eligible program.
Do I have to be retired?
No. Road Scholar says you can be retired from or currently employed with an educational organization, as long as you’re over 50.
Do I have to live in the United States?
Yes. Only U.S. residents are eligible for PEAR scholarships, though the program itself can be in the United States or Canada.
Can I apply every year?
No. Road Scholar says you can apply for PEAR again in two years.
Does it cover the whole trip?
No. You pay the balance after the scholarship, and at least the deposit. Transportation to and from the program isn’t covered.
Can I use it on an international trip?
No. It applies to onsite programs in the United States or Canada that cost no more than $2,500.
How early should I apply?
At least three months before the program start date, per Road Scholar.
Do private school and preschool staff count?
Road Scholar’s eligibility wording covers any educational organization, public or private, including early childhood, primary, secondary and higher education.
How do I reach Road Scholar with questions?
Its help line is 800-454-5768, and its call center hours are listed as Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Eastern.
More Information:
Road Scholar’s financial assistance page and its PEAR page list the terms above, so check them for the current program details before you apply. If you’re leading a student trip instead of joining a learning program, EF Tours has a leader benefit built around free spots.