The Questions Everyone Asks

 

"Does it cost anything?"

There is no cost to your family. Ever. Teens who do not participate in the challenge will still be published at their level of involvement. The $5 votes are paid voluntarily by the community that rallies around your teen — family, friends, teachers, neighbors. Think of it like a fundraiser, except the money goes toward teen scholarships, magazine production, and nonprofit partners. If your teen wins a scholarship, it is funded entirely by their community's support.

 

• A $5 vote is less than a daily Starbucks or Dunkin.

• Scholarships are capped at $1,000 — every vote above that still supports other teens and nonprofit partners.

 

"Is this legitimate?"

Inspiring Teens Magazine has been publishing nationally for ten years across 100+ issues and has awarded over $200,000 in scholarships to teens across the United States. You can Google us & read every interview and article we have ever published at inspiringteens.com.

 

• Ten years. 100+ issues. $200,000 in scholarships awarded.

• Every process is transparent — the scholarship winners, the past issues, the leaderboard, all of it is public.

• Pull up inspiringteens.com. Everything is there.

 

"Will anyone actually see this?"

The magazine is available in print and digital formats and is indexed nationally online. When someone Googles your teen's name, their Inspiring Teens feature is often the first result that comes up — seen by colleges, scholarship committees, employers, and anyone else who searches for them. That kind of positive visibility does not go away.

 

• It is not a local paper. It is a national publication with readers across the country.

• Every feature lives online permanently — it follows your teen in the best possible way.

• Colleges Google applicants. This is what they will find.

 

"What if my teen doesn't win anything?"

Every teen who is accepted by us will be published in the magazine. Teens who reach even just 10 votes will appear in a national print and digital publication regardless of where they finish and will start earning other rewards along the way. A scholarship is the goal. The publication is the guarantee.

 

• 10 votes is grandma, grandpa, two aunts, and a few friends. It is very reachable.

• The scholarship is a bonus. The feature is what every teen walks away with.

• Even without a scholarship, your teen has a national credential for college applications, scholarship essays, and their portfolio.

 

"How much time is this really going to take?"

As much or as little as you choose. The contest runs for 14 days. The tools and step-by-step guidance are all provided — your teen is never left figuring it out alone. Some families share the link quietly with close family and reach 10 votes in an afternoon. Others run full community campaigns. Both get published.

 

• The teens who put in the most get the most out of it — but there is no wrong way to participate.

• ITM sends everything your teen needs to run their campaign. It is all laid out for them. If they are struggling, we will work with them to plan out a successful campaign that meets their interests.

• 14 days. That is it. The credential lasts forever.

 

"What does my teen actually have to do?"

Once they accept the nomination, they complete a short interview so we can tell their story. Then when the challenge opens, they share their voting link with their community and let the people who already love them show up. The Strategy Lab and Leadership Lab walk them through every single step. We’re here for them to help strategize if none of the examples work for them personally.

 

• The hardest part is accepting that people want to support them. Most teens are surprised by how much their community shows up.

• We give them caption templates, posting schedules, and everything they need. They do not have to figure everything out.

• Think of it as a 10-day leadership project. Everything they do during those 14 days belongs on their college application.

 

"What about pictures?"

The image submitted with your nomination is the first thing the world sees — it appears on your voting page, in the magazine, and on the blog. Whether it was taken by a professional photographer or someone who simply captured you at your best, it is the first impression of your story. Make it one that feels like you.

• You'll have the opportunity to add another image in your acceptance interview

• Complete your personal interview and you can submit four more images — we love seeing every side of who you are.

• We love featuring teen’s favorite images. There are plenty of photo opportunities throughout the entire experience.