The tour is open to all high school students in grades 9–12. At this time, participation is limited to Jack and Jill teens only.

The tour offers meaningful experiences for students in every grade level from 9th through 12th grade.

Yes. The tour is open to eligible students in grades 9–12, regardless of where they live or whether they need airfare.

Registration opens the week of October 27. Registration after that date may be possible if spaces remain available.

Participants are selected on a first-come, first-served basis. The date when the final list of participants will be announced is to be confirmed.

No scholarships are available at this time.

Yes, participation on the tour will count for JMB credit.

Yes! Another HBCU Tour is anticipated for next year.

Participants must be available for the entire duration of the tour. Joining the group after the tour begins or departing before it concludes is not permitted, as doing so would complicate transportation logistics and could negatively affect group coordination.

Yes. National Program Director Tasha will provide a letter explaining the educational purpose of the tour for schools to consider when determining whether to excuse students' absences. Families are responsible for making arrangements with their schools and determining whether their students can miss the required school days.

Yes. Additional meetings will be scheduled before departure, including an orientation for participating teens. These meetings will provide more information about the itinerary, expectations, and trip logistics.

The first airport is Tallahassee, Florida.

Yes. Teens may fly independently to the designated airport. Southwest Airlines is the preferred airline for teens traveling alone because of its travel options for families and young travelers. Families should confirm the airline's current policies for minors traveling without an adult before booking.

A chaperone will meet arriving teens at the designated airport according to the tour itinerary. On the first day, airport shuttles will transport participants to the hotel.

Specific airport meeting instructions and arrival logistics will be provided to participating families before departure. Additional details will be shared during the pre-tour communications and orientation.

No airline reservation blocks will be arranged. However, families whose teens are traveling from the same city or state will be informed of one another so they can coordinate flights if they choose.

Participants will travel between states and institutions by charter bus.

The tour will use suite-style hotels that accommodate three teens per room. Specific hotel names and locations will be shared with participants before departure.

Room assignments and roommate pairings will be determined based on gender, grade level, and region. Three teens will be assigned to each room.

The availability of individual rooms for teens who require or request single accommodations needs to be confirmed with the tour organizers.

Yes. Accommodations may be arranged for teens who need additional support. Families should communicate their teen's needs to the tour organizers in advance so appropriate arrangements can be discussed.

If a teen requires daily medical care or specialized assistance, families should understand that chaperones may not have the training or expertise needed to meet highly specific medical needs. Depending on the circumstances, a family will be informed of the chaperone’s ability to accommodate the teen. Families should discuss individual needs with the organizers before completing registration.

Parents are not invited to attend this year's tour as participants. National Program Director Tasha B. Penny and Regional Program Chairs will serve as chaperones.

Mothers who travel independently alongside the group will not participate in the official tours and excursions. The primary purpose of the HBCU Tour is to provide teens with meaningful exposure to historically Black colleges and universities.

Private security will be hired to help ensure participants' safety overnight while chaperones rest. Security personnel will check in with chaperones each evening, monitor the hotel hallways, and report any violations involving teens. Security will check in with chaperones each morning to provide an update on the previous night's activities.

Yes. A packing list will be distributed to all participants to help families prepare appropriately for the duration of the tour. Families should use the list to determine how much clothing and other necessary items to pack.

Breakfast will be served at the hotels. Some lunches will take place on college campuses, while others will be eaten during travel. Dinners will be held at restaurants.

Past HBCU Tours have included group dinners and opportunities for teens to connect with one another. Additional activities planned for this year's tour will be confirmed and communicated to participating families.

Purchasing private travel insurance is a personal decision. Families should review their travel arrangements and individual circumstances to determine whether additional coverage is appropriate.

The process for involving current college students and coordinating their participation through Mothers Away from Home will be confirmed with the tour organizers.