Don't let your budget get in the way of a life-changing opportunity. 

North Carolina Outward Bound School (NCOBS) is committed to providing challenging wilderness experiences to motivated individuals from all walks of life. If the cost of a course is beyond your financial means don’t despair, you may be eligible for a scholarship or financing option.

Nearly 49% of our students receive financial support. These awards are based on financial need with consideration of the applicant’s motivation to attend the program. Our Scholarship Committee will review the applicant’s Scholarship Application to determine what level of support can be offered.

Thanks to the generous support of donors, Outward Bound has established several named or memorial scholarships in memory of or to honor individuals who are special to the donor or to Outward Bound. These scholarships are endowed or annually funded and the awards are offered based on specific criteria.

View a list of North Carolina Outward Bound School Memorial and Named Scholarships

Financing

For those who require additional time to secure full tuition payment, we do offer a payment schedule. However, full payment of tuition must be complete prior to your course start date. This assistance is limited and is awarded on a first come, first served basis. Please contact us directly for more information. 

How to Apply for a Scholarship

1. ENROLL: In a course by using our Course Finder. 

2. STUDENT ESSAY: Please send us a short video telling us about yourself. Why do you want to take a course? What are you hoping to learn while on Outward Bound? What makes you a great candidate for a scholarship? If you do not have a way to make a video, we require a personal essay reflecting this same information. Send to studentservices@ncobs.org with your name and course number in the subject line of your email. *Videos submitted become property of NCOBS.

3. SEND TAX FORMS: Send copies of your most recent 1040 tax forms (dependents need to send in their parent/guardian's tax forms) or equivalent along with your application and the other materials. If you do not file for taxes, we need something that represents you or your parent/guardian's annual income before we can consider offering a scholarship.

4. STATEMENT OF CIRCUMSTANCES: Write a short statement (a couple paragraphs to a full page) on a separate sheet (also preferably typed, double-spaced or legibly written) explaining any financial circumstances that we cannot see in your tax forms that will help our scholarship committee determine if there is any assistance available for you. Parents/guardians of applicants will write this and may also want to include their reasons for wanting their child to attend North Carolina Outward Bound.

5.  REVIEW OF APPLICATION: It may take approximately two weeks for the scholarship committee to determine if we can offer you a scholarship. Applicants are REQUIRED to follow all procedures and requested due dates to be considered for a scholarship.

We WILL NOT evaluate your request for financial support until we receive and approve the materials all applicants are required to complete and return to us. Any delay in meeting your due dates will affect the amount of financial aid awarded (delays can be interpreted as a lack of commitment or motivation) and your registration status. You will NOT be refunded the $150 non-refundable Enrollment Processing Fee if you cancel (or are cancelled from course due to lack of communication) before we are able to review your scholarship materials.

When this has been determined, someone will contact you to explain the committee's decision.

If you have questions about anything, please contact us at 888-756-2627 or email us at courseadvisor@ncobs.org.