Zoo Transportation Scholarship Application

Thank you for your interest in our transportation scholarship program! At this time, we are accepting applications for visits through June 2025. Due to construction, for 2025 scholarships are only available for visits on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.

Awarded scholarships consist of two parts:

  1. Bussing for your group to and from the Zoo by Precious Cargo, provided with the support of the Cleveland Zoo Society
  2. Free admission to the Zoo for all members of your group, up to a ratio of 1 chaperone/3 youth

If your group does not need transportation assistance, please apply for an admission-only field trip scholarship here: https://www.clevelandmetroparks.com/zoo/tickets-attractions/school-and-youth-group-visits/field-trip-admission-scholarships   Transportation scholarships include Zoo admission. Please apply for only one of these scholarships.

Successful applicants will:

  • be a grade preK-12 group from a Cuyahoga County school (public or private)
  • have 30% or more of students receiving free/ reduced lunch as documented by the State of Ohio
  • schedule a visit on a Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday before the end of June 2025

If you would like to check eligibility or have questions, please contact Zoo Education & Engagement at [email protected] or 216-635-3392. 

 

**Transportation Scholarship includes field trip admission – no separate field trip scholarship submission needed **


***Bus Capacity: 60 small children and 8 adults; 42 older children and 6 adults


A ratio of at least 1 chaperone/ 10 youth is required. Tickets will be provided for all students and chaperones, up to a ratio of 1 chaperone/3 youth. 


 


PLEASE CAREFULLY REVIEW THE CANCELLATION POLICY BELOW AND CHECK THAT YOU UNDERSTAND: 

  • Once awarded, you will receive an email from a Zoo staff member confirming your bus and visit date. You must reply to this email in 7 days to confirm or your bus will be given to another group. After confirming, we will schedule your bus/buses and your group will be registered for Zoo admission.
  • PLEASE only confirm if you are sure your group can attend. There are many schools that need transportation. You will receive reminder emails before your trip.
  • If you cancel less than ten days but more than two days in advance, you will be required to pay a cancellation fee of $100 if Cleveland Metroparks is charged the cancellation fee by the bus company providing service. If you cancel less than two days in advance, you will be required to pay a cancellation fee of $560 if Cleveland Metroparks is charged the cancellation fee by the bus company providing service.

 

Cancellation or changes must be done 10 days prior.

Last minute additions will be charged general admission.