The guiding principle for our Subsidized Aid and Scholarship program is that every person should have the opportunity to experience challenge and discovery, to develop character and compassion, learn social and environmental responsibility, and discover and develop leadership skills and service ethic, regardless of financial ability.
The founders of the Philadelphia Outward Bound School (POBS) committed to the idea that every student should be able to experience Outward Bound. This commitment stays with us today, and through the generous support from alumni, parents, corporations, and foundations, we will award over $400,000 in subsidized aid and merit-based scholarships to thousands of students; many of whom would be unable to participate in an Outward Bound program.
Scholarships for Individuals
Every summer, POBS offer three fully-funded scholarship courses: Get Out And Lead (GOAL) for students entering grades 7-9, and the Philadelphia Youth Leadership Corps (PYLC) and New Jersey Youth Leadership Corps (NJYLC) for students entering grades 10-12. Admission to these courses is highly selective and includes an application, essay, letters of recommendation, and an interview. See our Merit Award Courses page for more information.
Scholarships for Veterans
In accordance with Outward Bound USA’s commitment to serve veterans, we also offer fully-funded scholarship courses for Veterans. All tuition and travel expenses are covered and any active duty service member or veteran is eligible.
Scholarships for Grieving Teens
Outward Bound’s Grieving Teens courses provide respectful healing experiences in a wilderness environment, practicing personal growth methodologies and a support model that honors the griever and supports relationship building with others who share the experience. All grieving teens’ courses are offered at a reduced rate, already reflected in the course tuition. Additional financial assistance, including full scholarship, is available, excluding fees and travel expenses.
Subsidized Aid for Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Northern Delaware Area Public and Charter Schools
With support from our donors, we take students into wilderness settings to build leadership skills and meaningful peer relationships that round out their educational experience. We subsidize the tuition for our local Philadelphia and regional public and charter schools to bring their students a meaningful, character-building group program or expedition, utilizing our proven character development curriculum. The school’s percentage of Title I financial assistance eligibility will determine the amount of subsidy. School District of Philadelphia schools automatically qualify.
How to Apply for Subsidy
Please contact Aisha Burrell, Associate Program Director for Admissions and Medical Screening at [email protected] or call 215.372.8929