Find the Support to Make Your Gaia U Dream Come True

Gaia University is firmly embedded within the Permaculture Ethics of Earth Care, People Care and Fair Share. Our student associates’ work powerfully reflects and embodies the first two ethics. However, as an organization we grapple with how to bring the third ethic – equitable distribution of resources – more into focus. The most obvious way is through our tuition fees.

To that end we have established a rolling scholarship fund. It is stocked both by donations as well as contributions above regular tuition fees. The size of the fund during any given application cycle determines the number and amount of scholarships we are able to award.

As you review the tuition fees and determine whether you need to apply for a scholarship, ask yourself these questions:

– What resources do I have access to that can support me to pay regular tuition (family, crowd-funding, grants, loans, pre-sale of a product or service you want to create during your program, etc.)? Allow yourself to be creative in this process and feel free to discuss options and ideas with our registrar (registrar@gaiauniversity.org)

– If my relative access to these resources is sparse and receiving a scholarship is the only way I can attend Gaia U, what level is appropriate for me and why?

– Or alternatively, is my access to resources great enough that I can pay more than the regular tuition so I can support those who don’t have that level of access?  You will be able to indicate that on your Gaia U application or registration form or pay directly on our Donor page (LINK).  We thank you in advance for your generosity.

Criteria we will use in awarding scholarships:

– Your completed scholarship application and accessibility for a follow-up interview by phone or skype if indicated by the Scholarship Review Committee

– Evidence that you are actively searching for other sources of funding as well

– Completion of the Regenerative Livelihoods by Design course (a free Gaia U online course), with evidence of active engagement in the activities and forums. Sign up here: (LINK)

– Evidence that you are participating in, working on, or are planning a project(s) that falls within any or all of the Permaculture Ethics (https://permacultureprinciples.com/ethics/). This opens up a broad range of project directions for you including New Economy, Community Development, Art and Ecology, Earth Regeneration, Climate Change Solutions and many more. See this page for inspiration for project ideas.

– For Masters and Post-Graduate Diploma applicants, we also evaluate project proposals for their potential to be developed into projects that show evidence of

  • strategic value addressing critical  issues of our time (i.e. climate change, food security, community development etc.)
  • Broad applicability: designing for impact beyond your own backyard or family-unit
  • Longer-term thinking: what effect this project might have in the future?
  • Scalability of your design
  • The invitation is to always think from a larger perspective:  how can I design my project so that others can benefit from what I have learned and apply it anywhere in the world?

Availability and Submission dates:

The number of scholarships and award amounts are determined by the success of our fundraising efforts (perhaps you can help! If so, please notify our fund-raising committee at donations@gaiauniversity.org).

The last date for submission is Sept 1, 2017, midnight Pacific, USA, time. However, we will begin considering applications as they are submitted.

Early submission may be an advantage and applications will be considered on a first come – first served basis.  

Late applications will only be considered after all other applications have been reviewed and if scholarship funds are still available.

Notification of scholarship offers will be made by no later than September 30, 2017.

Scholarships are awarded for one Action-Learning Cycle (ALC) only (standard length of an ALC is 1 year). To receive additional scholarship funds, you will need to apply prior to the start of each new ALC, evidencing:

  • Active engagement and proactivity in your program
  • Active engagement in and contribution to the Gaia U community
  • A positive evaluation from your Main Advisor
  • Proactivity in securing funding from other sources as well as Gaia U scholarship funds

Next Steps

Degree Applicant (Bachelors, Masters, Post-Masters Graduate Diploma)

    1. Complete your degree application – in the designated section, indicate you are interested in applying for the scholarship and fill out the corresponding fields. If you are not in need of a scholarship, that section can be skipped. If you are applying and are able to support others by donating to the fund, there will be an option to do so at the end of the application and we thank you wholeheartedly!
    2. Pay your $50 application fee.

Once we receive your application, at least one reference and your application fee, we will review your information. You will be contacted to set up an application interview within 2 weeks.

Diploma Registrant (International Diploma of Permaculture Design, Action for Resilience)

    1. Complete diploma registration form – in the designated section, indicate you are interested in applying for the scholarship and fill out the corresponding fields. If you are not in need of a scholarship, that section can be skipped. If you are applying and are able to support others by donating to the fund, there will be an option to do so at the end of the application and we thank you wholeheartedly!
    2. If you are applying for a scholarship, pay your $20 application fee.
    3. If you are not applying for a scholarship, follow the link to submit your first payment to secure your place in the program.