Due to financial constraints, Mid America Dharma is temporarily unable to provide scholarship assistance. We are truly sorry and regret this inability to serve. We will resume offering scholarships as soon as funds become available.
Note that the deferred payment plan is still available. You can apply to set-up a plan using the Request Deferred Payment button at the bottom of this page. (The Request Scholarship … button is temporarily disabled.)
Please read on. The material below describes all our financial aid offerings, and these include more than just scholarships per se.
We welcome all to our retreats and classes, and are pleased to offer scholarships to those who have difficulty paying registration fees.
Our ability to fund scholarships is limited, but we do our utmost to provide this assistance.
Policies for granting scholarships
- Scholarship applicants must pay at least 20% of the Actual Cost registration fee.
- Those unable to pay the agreed-upon fee by registration closing may request a Deferred Payment Plan (described below).
- Eligiblity is limited to one scholarship per year.
How we determine scholarship amounts is based on these criteria:
- The applicant’s financial need
- Those who have never received a scholarship are prioritized.
- People of color, youth, and those with serious or chronic illnesses receive special consideration.
- Those who have practiced meditation and the Dharma over time receive special consideration.
The Scholarship Process
When a student submits a scholarship request:
- The scholarship committee reviews requests in the order received.
- The committee notifies applicants of its decision, including the amount granted if the scholarship is approved, within one week of receiving requests.
- Scholarships are awarded on a funds available basis.
The Deferred Payment Process For Those Requesting a Scholarship
Those unable to pay the agreed-upon fee (at least 20% of the Actual Cost fee) by the registration closing can also request a deferred payment plan. This lets registrants pay the fee in up to 3 installments over several months.
After submitting the scholarship request, a page confirming submission is displayed. To request deferred payment click on the Request Deferred Payment button, found at the bottom of this confirmation page.
Other Payment Options
In addition to scholarships, we offer two options for those who can pay but face temporary financial stress:
- We set a sliding scale for each event’s fee, and registrants can choose to pay the reduced Minimum fee.
- The deferred payment program is available even when not requesting a scholarship. You’ll find the button to request this at the bottom of the page.
To further discuss these options or your special circumstances, please email scholarship@midamericadharma.org.
Your Generosity
Finally, Mid-America Dharma’s ability to offer scholarships largely depends on the generosity of those willing and able to offer us support.
We are grateful for your dana.
If you choose to request financial assistance, please click on the button that best fits your needs: