National Scholars Conference

A copy of your travel itinerary and boarding pass will be emailed to you.

Familiarize yourself with all airline liquid regulations and luggage allowances prior to your trip. You should also make sure you leave room in your suitcase for items you will bring home from the conference. In general, liquids over 3.4 fl. oz. are not permitted in your carry-on luggage, and any liquids containers brought on board must fit into a 1-quart sized plastic bag. Checked baggage should not weigh more than 50 lbs., or you will be subject to overweight charges.  Please check with your airline for their specific policies regarding carry-on and checked luggage.

You must bring a government-issued photo ID (passport if traveling from Canada). You may be required to show a government-issued photo ID to the airline/train staff upon check-in.  You should bring the same government-issued photo ID that you uploaded in the registration form.  Please ensure you carry your ID with you at all times throughout the conference.

During the National Scholars Conference, our conference partner, Linder Global, will have a travel hotline staffed by a travel coordinator. The number for the travel hotline is: 1-352-617-8198. If you experience any issues during your travel, please call the number provided. Parents and guardians are also welcome to use this number to reach Association staff throughout the conference.

Reservations have been made for you at the Fairmont Hotel, 2401 M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20037. Upon arrival at the Fairmont Hotel, you will be escorted through the M Street entrance where you will connect with conference staff.  Hotel staff will take your luggage to a secure holding area and you will bypass the regular hotel front desk.  You will be then escorted to the Ballroom Level, where you will meet additional conference and Association staff to continue the check-in process.   

You will receive information about your rooming assignment when you arrive.  Scholars are roomed and assigned to a floor by gender. Professional security officers will be on each floor occupied by Scholars for the duration of the conference.

The Fairmont hotel provides complimentary WiFi to all guests.

Due to space, cost, and security concerns, parents, guardians, support animals, or chaperones are not allowed to attend the National Scholars Conference and Awards Induction Ceremonies.  No exceptions.

Full-time Horatio Alger Association staff, volunteers, and our event partners are overseeing the conference. Ron Nicola and Aaron House will represent the Association throughout the week and will be available to answer any questions you may have.  Additionally, the Association employs 24-hour medical and security personnel.

Scholars are organized into groups of approximately 20. We call these groups Teams and each of them has two Team Leaders. Team Leaders are an outstanding group of individuals who volunteer their time to support this event. Most Team Leaders are former scholarship recipients themselves.

You will also have the chance to meet some of the Scholar Coordinators with whom you connected during the College Success Program (U.S.) and University Success Program (Canada).

A full medical team (doctors, nurses, EMT) will be onsite for the duration of the conference, will travel with us to all events, and also be available overnight at the Fairmont Hotel.

We have the medical form that you submitted on file. Please inform us of any new developments. Be certain to bring any medical supplies/medications that you may require.

All of your meals and lodging will be covered by the Association. However, you may want to bring spending money to purchase souvenirs. Since the conference schedule is very full, it is suggested that you purchase incidentals you may need before leaving home. You will not be allowed under any circumstance to leave the group to make purchases upon arrival.

We encourage you to share this information with an adult who can help you prepare for the trip. That includes family members, family friends, your teacher or school counselor, employers, and/or community organizations. 

If you have any questions about the conference dress code, please contact a Scholar Service Coordinator.  

Bring only necessities. Leave room in your luggage for gifts you will receive onsite as well as any souvenirs you buy.

We will visit locations throughout Washington, D.C. When in doubt, dress professionally. Avoid sheer or low-cut tops as well as skirts that are more than one inch above the knee. You can dress casually while touring the city on April 6 and on departure day, April 7.

It is very important that you wear comfortable shoes at all times (that includes your business attire). We will be walking a lot. “Comfortable shoes” does not mean sneakers. Do not wear new shoes or extremely high heels.

The Association will provide black gowns and tuxedos for you to wear to the Awards Induction Ceremony. The gowns/tuxedos will be checked for fit after you arrive in Washington. Tuxedos will come with shoes; please bring black socks. Dresses do not come with shoes, therefore, please bring a pair of black or nude color pantyhose (if applicable) and black dress shoes to wear with the formal dress.

See the images below for reference of appropriate clothing worn by Scholars at the Conference:

We understand that traveling alone can be an anxiety-inducing experience. Please review our travel tips below to help you navigate the travel day.

• Most major airlines and Amtrak have free mobile apps that provide prompt and accurate information on boarding gates, terminal maps, etc. to aid you while you are in transit.  We encourage you to download the app for the airline you are flying/train you are taking.
• The evening before you travel, check your flight/train status by visiting the website of the airline/train you will be using. Use the provided travel information to review your itinerary. If you see any problems, contact the Association immediately.
• If you are checking luggage, go to your airline’s ticket counter or self-serve kiosk inside the terminal. The curbside check-in counter does not take cash payment.
• Verify with the agent at the ticket counter the gate number for your flight/train. You may also need to have the agent print your boarding pass. You may do it yourself at one of the airline’s/train station’s check-in kiosks. If you are checking luggage, they will put a luggage claim tag on your bag(s). Make sure that you wait for them to do this before leaving the desk; they will provide you with a copy of the claim tag.
• If your bag needs to be inspected, follow all issued instructions.
• Follow signs to your assigned gate and to the security check area leading to your assigned gate.
• Once you arrive at your assigned gate, stay alert and check departure screens near the gate in case there are any gate change announcements.
• If you are scheduled to change planes during your trip:
  • As soon as you get off the plane and enter the terminal, find the nearest airline agent and verify the terminal and gate number for your connecting flight.
  • You also can check departure screens to find the terminal and gate number for your connecting flight.
  • If you are concerned about being able to make it to the connecting gate in time for your departure, find an airline agent and ask for their help getting to the proper gate as quickly as possible.
• When you land at your final destination, follow the airport signs to the baggage claim area or to the information desk if traveling by train. This is where you will meet representatives from Horatio Alger’s event team, who will hold a sign that says “Horatio Alger” and help you with your luggage to the shuttles and the Fairmont Hotel.
• The travel hotline number is: 1-352-617-8198. This numbers is staffed by members of our travel team at Linder Global.