Minnesota Zoo School Group Bus Fund Scholarship Application

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School Group Bus Fund Scholarship

Applications will be open on August 4, 2025 for the 2025-2026 school year. If you are approved for a scholarship, please book your field trip on our Plan a Field Trip page.

The Bus Fund opens on August 4, 2025, for the 2025-2026 School Year. This year we will have a lottery to determine which eligible schools get these funds. You can apply to the lottery from August 4 to September 12, 2025.

At the Minnesota Zoo, we know that one of the greatest barriers for teachers bringing students to the Zoo is the rising costs of bussing. The Minnesota Zoo has a School Bus Scholarship program to reduce this barrier.

The Zoo School Bus Fund Scholarship is available for field trips to the Minnesota Zoo taking place from September 23, 2025 through March 31, 2026 and April 28 (ASL Day). Scholarships are limited and are for bus transportation up to $750 maximum. Please provide your estimated travel cost—this amount will serve as the maximum scholarship you may receive. Estimate thoughtfully. Schools are required to have at least 40% free/reduced lunch. Minnesota Zoo uses the list from the previous school year as provided from the Minnesota Department of Education to determine eligibility for Minnesota public schools only.

Admission and lunches are NOT included as part of the bus scholarship. However, many school qualify for discounted or free admission based on their Free and Reduced Price Lunch numbers. To learn more about admission, please go to https://mnzoo.org/plan-a-field-trip/

To apply for the School Bus Scholarship, please fill out the application ONLY between August 4-September 12, 2025 to be placed in the lottery.

We will connect with each applicant to let you know if you did or did not receive the bus fund scholarship. However, if you have other questions, please email us at [email protected].

13000 Zoo Boulevard
Apple Valley, MN 55124
952.431.9200

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