Relationshipsāwhether between students and faculty, students and administration, or faculty and administrationāare at the core of the success of all our endeavors at Sunbridge Institute. We understand that finding ways to afford quality Waldorf teacher education often requires this same collaborative effort.
Our finance office works proactively with youāand, if applicable, with the school at which you workāto make you aware of all available options for financing your Waldorf teacher education; moreover, we offer discounts to schools that support two or more students in any teacher education program in the same academic year (and to students coming from the same school). Our staff accountant is available before every term to consult with you to discuss practical, manageable tuition payments options, including monthly payment plans, and to offer confidential, individual guidance where necessary.
Financial aid packages that reduce tuition costs by up to one thirdāand in some cases, depending on your financial situation and work status, by up to 40% or moreāare available to those who qualify. In an effort to be as responsive as possible to our students’ needs, our financial aid application includes questions designed to give our Scholarship Committee as complete a picture as possible of each applicant’s financial circumstances, beyond merely income figures. Eligibility is determined by an impartial scale, and aid is awarded based on students’ needs and monies available. Importantly, we strive to ensure that levels of aid awarded to you as an incoming student remain constant throughout the length of your Sunbridge studies.
AssistanceĀ comesĀ in the form of:
- Sunbridge scholarship grants (need-based)
- Sunbridge Diversity Fund Scholarships (non-need-based)
- AWSNA loans and grants
- Funding from the Waldorf schools at which our students work
You are encouraged to talk to your Waldorf school to explore your options there.
SUNBRIDGE INSTITUTE SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?
Any student admitted to and enrolled in a Sunbridge Institute teacher education diploma or certificate program.
HOW DO I APPLY?
NEW STUDENTSĀ To apply for financial aid as a NEW student:
- Complete thisĀ online financial aid application.
- Ā Awards are made on a rolling basis beginning in February. The earlier you submit your application, the more financial aid there will still be available. Although aid is not awarded until you are accepted into a program, an estimate of your potential award may be given earlier based on demonstrated need and potential availability of funds.
RETURNINGĀ STUDENTSĀ To apply for financial aid as a RETURNING student:
- Complete this online financial aid application.
- Awards for already-matriculated Sunbridge students are made on a rolling basis beginning in February, as applications are received and processed. The earlier you submit your application, the more financial aid there will still be available.
- You must be in good standingāfinancially and academicallyāto be awarded aid. This includes being up-to-date on all your assignments and fieldwork.
NOTE TO ALL STUDENTS: As a condition of receiving a Sunbridge scholarship, you agree to keep us apprised of your current work situation throughout the course of your studies, as well as during the years following graduation, as we are required to report this information to the granting foundations that support our scholarship fund.
IMPORTANT:Ā The Sunbridge Scholarship Committee asks that each applicant for financial aid applyĀ for an AWSNA loan, as it is expected that every available source of financial support is utilized. Failure to apply forĀ an AWSNA loan may affect the amount of aid granted by the Committee.
DIVERSITY FUND SCHOLARSHIPS
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?
To be considered for a Sunbridge Diversity Fund Scholarship, you must:
ā¢ Self-identify as Black, Indigenous, or a person of color
ā¢ Be accepted or already enrolled in a Sunbridge Early Childhood, Elementary, or High School Teacher Education diploma program (Full Track or Completion Track)
ā¢ Be currently working in, or intending to work in, an AWSNA- or WECAN-affiliated school (as this scholarship is designed to serve the North American Waldorf school movement)
HOW DO I APPLY?
To apply as a new student, complete an online application (available February 1-June 1).
The first round of awards is made in mid-March; additional awards are made on a rolling basis, based on availability of funds. The earlier you submit your application, the better.
Read more about diversity at SunbridgeĀ to learn more about this scholarship.
AWSNA LOANS
Read about AWSNA loans and grants.
AWSNA Loans:
The AWSNA loan will be fully forgiven if any of the following conditions are met:
- Teach 3/4 or full-time in an AWSNA- or WECAN-member school for one full year after your Sunbridge graduation IF you also taught 3/4 to full-time for two consecutive years in an AWSNA- or WECAN-member school leading up to your Sunbridge graduation
- Teach 3/4 or full-time in an AWSNA- or WECAN-member school for two full, consecutive years after your Sunbridge graduation IF you also taught for one full year in an AWSNA- or WECAN-member school in the preceding year leading up to your Sunbridge graduation
- Teach 3/4 or full-time in an AWSNA- or WECAN-member school for three full, consecutive years immediately after your Sunbridge graduation
Because circumstances may changeānecessitating repaying of the loanāyou must be in a secure financial position to receive an AWSNA loan.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?
Anyone enrolled in a Sunbridge programĀ who meets the above criteria.
How DO I APPLY?
- Complete the AWSNA Loan application.
AWSNA applications must be completed before loan allocations are made.
AWSNA GRANTS
WHO IS ELIGIBLEĀ TO APPLY?
- Currently practicing teachers in an AWSNA-affiliated school
HOW DO I APPLY?
- Complete the AWSNA Currently Practicing Teacher Grant application
- Include a letter from your school:
- Confirming you are a teacher in good standing
- Specifying the amount of funds (if any) your school is pledging towards your studies at Sunbridge Institute. NOTE: While schools are not required to contribute funds toward their teachers’ teacher education studies, AWSNA strongly encourages them to do so.
The letter from your school must be received before the award can be made. Grant amount depends on the amount of monies available and may be lower than the school commitment.
VERMONT STUDENT ASSISTANCE CORPORATION
Students who live in Vermont may qualify for Non-Degree Grants from the Vermont Student Assistance Corporation. Please note that the VSAC academic year begins on July 1 of each year and runs through June 30. Students who begin their studies before July 1 are eligible to receive awards for the fall through the following summer intensive.Ā Awards are granted for two intensives (per VSAC: “two enrollment terms”) per academic year.
THE MICHAEL FOUNDATION
The Michael FoundationĀ is a private fund dedicated to supporting the education of WaldorfĀ teachers.Ā Applications must be received before February 1 in order to qualify for grants to be applied to the June 1- May 31 academic year.
PAYMENT PLANS
Sunbridge offers extended financing options, including plans for extending tuition payments for up to nine months post-graduation. Plans will be noted on your Student Financial Agreement, or you are welcome to speak with our finance office for details.
QUESTIONS
If you have any questions about affording or paying for your Sunbridge education, please contact Christopher Costa at 845-425-0055 x 17 or [email protected].
All paper applications should be sent to:
Finance Office
Sunbridge Institute
285 Hungry Hollow Road
Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977
Please note: Sunbridge Institute is licensed byĀ the New York State Department of Education, and our students are not eligible for Federal Financial Aid.
Disclaimer: Sunbridge Institute does not endorse any scholarship aid services provided via the internet. Students are cautioned to research internet services that seek compensation for scholarship searches.
