Applications & Scholarships
Students apply to Columbia Climate School in the Green Mountains and Columbia Climate Corps programs directly through Putney Student Travel’s Online Application. Admission is selective. The organizing committee will look for exceptional and highly motivated high school students (and driven rising 9th grade students) who are eager to participate in climate action in their communities.
How to Apply
Students who wish to apply and hold space in a program must complete the Online Application Form, submit a signed Agreement Form, and provide a $700 payment, consisting of a $200 Application Fee and a $500 Enrollment Deposit. The $500 Enrollment Deposit is applied toward your total program fee.
We will require the following documents to be submitted with your application:
- Completed online application form
- Non-refundable $200 application fee
- $500 enrollment deposit to hold-space in the program
- A signed Agreement Form
- The contact information for two references. (At least one reference must be a teacher/instructor who knows you from an academic setting, the other can be written by someone who knows you in an extracurricular setting, such as a part-time job, after-school club, etc. No letters from parents or friends are acceptable.)
- Personal Statement (A short statement outlining your interest in this program. 300 words maximum.)
Eligibility:
High school students grades 9-12 and motivated rising 9th grade students are welcome to apply. Any rising 9th grade student (completing 8th grade this academic year) should continue the pre-filled application info indicating 'High School' when applying to Columbia Climate School Summer Pre-College programs through the blue buttons above.
Application Deadline:
These programs have a rolling admissions process and applicants will be accepted until a program fills to capacity. You are encouraged to apply early to secure your spot.
Refunds:
- If a student is not accepted into the program, the $700 deposit is returned in full.
- If a student is accepted into the program, but withdraws their application before March 15th, they will receive the $500 enrollment deposit back.
- If a student withdraws after March 15, all payments are nonrefundable.
Discounts
Students who wish to link participation in the Columbia Climate School in the Green Mountains program with a Columbia Climate Corps traveling program are eligible for a dual enrollment discount of $1,000. When beginning an application, applicants may select multiple programs.
Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarship opportunities are made possible with the support of the Henry L. and Grace Doherty Charitable Foundation. The Doherty Charitable Foundation Scholarship provides full and partial need-based scholarships for underrepresented students and communities to join the Columbia Climate School Summer Programs.
Scholarship Eligibility
Students who meet the following eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply for a Doherty Foundation Scholarship:
- Current 9-12 grade student (motivated rising 9th grade students will be considered)
- Currently reside in the United States
- International students, including U.S. students living abroad, are not eligible to apply
- Origin of flight or travel to program should be from student’s home address in the USA
- Meet/Consider income eligibility guidelines:
- Full Scholarship Financial Eligibility Guidelines
- Up to 4 Person Household (combined annual income): Up to $50,000.00
- More than 4 Person Household (combined annual income): Up to $75,000.00 Annually
- Partial Scholarship Financial Eligibility Guidelines
- Up to 4 Person Household (combined annual income): Up to $75,000.00 Annually
- More than 4 Person Household (combined annual income): Up to $100,000.00 Annually
- Please note: Scholarship applicants must be prepared to share proof of financial eligibility through a copy of your household tax return. If your income is over the eligibility guideline recommendations and you have extenuating circumstances that you would like the Selection Committee to consider, families will be able to include this information on the scholarship application.
- Full Scholarship Financial Eligibility Guidelines
- Have a passion for climate change
- Show a demonstrated interest in climate advocacy
- Submit a complete scholarship application (information and required materials below) no later than March 15, 2023. In order to maintain the equity of the scholarship process, late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
Passport Information and Considerations
All scholarship students accepted on an international program will be required to provide us with a copy of the photo page of their valid passport by April 15, 2023. The passport must be valid through at least March 1, 2023. Students who are offered a scholarship on an international program but do not meet this requirement may have their scholarship offer revoked. If you do not have a valid passport, please consider whether you will be able to obtain a passport before applying for an international program.
If you are applying for an international program and do not have a passport, you must commit to applying for a passport and any other necessary travel documents within one week of notification of an awarded scholarship.
How to Apply
Please note that if you are applying for a scholarship, you should not start a regular program application. To complete your scholarship application, please complete the 3 items listed below. The online scholarship application is a Google form that the student should complete. The educator reference link (also a Google form) should be forwarded to an educator who is able to provide a recommendation for the scholarship candidate. The 2023 Putney Student Travel Agreement Form should be completed by a parent/guardian. A complete application consists of:
1. Completed 2023 Online Scholarship Application
2. One completed Educator Reference Form (students MUST send the link to the Educator Reference Form to their letter writers for completion)
3. Completed 2023 Putney Student Travel Agreement form (please note that the application fee and deposit are waived for all scholarship applicants
Questions?
More information about the admissions process can be found on Putney’s FAQ page.
Call Putney Student Travel at 802-387-5000 or email us at [email protected]