Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarship opportunities are now available for the Columbia Climate School in the Green Mountains Pre-College Summer Program. Made possible by the Columbia Climate School, the scholarship program provides full and partial need-based scholarships for students to gain knowldge and build skills to be part of the climate solution!
FULL VS. PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIPS
A full scholarship covers the entire cost of the program fees, plus round-trip travel to and from the student’s home address, and a small amount of spending money for excursions.
A partial scholarship covers half of the cost of the program fees, plus round-trip travel, and a small amount of spending money for excursions.
SCHOLARSHIP ELIGIBILITY
Students who meet the following eligibility requirements are encouraged to apply for a scholarship:
- Have a passion for climate change and demonstrate an interest in climate advocacy
- Current 9-12 grade student (motivated rising 9th grade students, or students completing 8th grade prior to the start of the program 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 the income eligibility guidelines (see Income Eligibility section below)
HOW TO APPLY
Complete the Columbia Climate School in the Green Mountains 2024 Online Scholarship Application by March 15, 2024.
Two completed references submitted digitally through this Reference Google Form. References must be submitted by March 15, 2024.
STUDENTS MUST SEND THE LINK BELOW TO THEIR REFERENCES TO COMPLETE: https://forms.gle/1jFytr3JMGtW17aV7
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.
Copy of parents’ or guardians’ most recent federal tax returns (fiscal year 2022 or 2023) Form 1040 and/or verification of non-taxable income (social security income, disability benefits, TANF, child support, etc.). Financial documentation from all contributing households is required. If the 1040 Tax Form submitted verifies income eligibility, no further documentation is required unless requested by the selection committee. This portion of the application must be received by March 15, 2024 and sent by post mail to:
Columbia Climate School Summer Programs Scholarship
345 Hickory Ridge Road
Putney, VT 05346
DEADLINE
Application materials must be received by March 15, 2024. An application is considered incomplete until we have received all the required forms and documents. In order to maintain the equity of the scholarship process, late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
INCOME ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Students must be a current resident of the United States (international students, including U.S. students living abroad, are not eligible to apply) and have to combine household income (adjusted gross income [AGI] as shown on line 11 of the Form 1040 Tax Return) of no more than the following income caps based on household size:
- Household size of 2: $60,000
- Household size of 3: $75,000
- Household size of 4: $90,000
For each person in a household over 4 persons, we will increase the household income cap by $15,000.
- Household size of 2: $90,000
- Household size of 3: $105,000
- Household size of 4: $120,000
For each person in a household over 4 persons, we will increase the household income cap by $15,000.
To verify income eligibility we request a recent copy of a parent of guardian's tax return Form 1040, line 11, showing adjusted gross income. If this is not available, other financial documentation must be provided.
Please Note:
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.
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 above.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes, if you are unable to complete the digital application steps above, please call us at 802-387-5000. You will be required to submit all application documents by post mail.
In the first applicant statement, the applicant must submit approximately 500 words that outlines:
- Why you would like to join the Columbia Climate School in the Green Mountains?
- How this program supports your climate journey and goals?
- What do you feel you can contribute to the program?
- How are your interests and actions aligned with the program content and share about your interest and/or experience in climate activism?
- What do you hope to gain from the experience?
In the first applicant statement, the applicant must submit approximately 500 words that outlines:
- Where and how does change begin when considering climate action?
- How can we think about change and inspire others to think about change?
- How do our words shape our behavior?
- In your opinion, what is the greatest climate risk currently affecting your community?
A parent/guardian statement is also requested within the online application to explain the household’s financial obligations, need for financial support, and outlining the unique characteristics of the applicant that demonstrate how the student would benefit from and contribute to the Columbia Climate School in the Green Mountains Program. (If the applicant is financially emancipated or serves as head of household, this can be completed by the applicant.)
All students awarded funding via the Columbia Climate School Scholarship Fund will be required to agree and sign this document along with their parent or guardian. The form completion is not required until after funding decisions are made.
STANDARD APPLICATION
If you have found that you are ineligible for a full or partial scholarship, we encourage you to apply through our standard application process. You can find more information about the standard application process on this webpage.
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]