Outward Bound Scholarship Program
The Outward Bound Scholarship Program awards $5 million in support to more than 5,600 students annually. We award scholarships to individuals and groups based on need and merit. Working with students from diverse communities, our goals are to explore our differences as our greatest strengths and to return our students to their communities with greater knowledge of themselves and the world around them.
Outward Bound programs create young leaders through educational programs in the wilderness, urban settings and school classrooms throughout the world. Our Scholarship Program is guided by a single principle: Every young person should be given the opportunity to experience adventure and challenge, develop character and compassion, and learn social and environmental responsibility, regardless of financial ability. Moreover, we bring together diverse groups of students to instill cultural understanding and teamwork skills that enable them to become principled leaders.
Click through any of these programs to apply for scholarship support, find out more information on the program, or view a list of our scholarship funds.
Scholarship Programs & Awards to Individual Students
Pinnacle Program
Pinnacle Scholars are diverse youth from urban communities, ages 14 – 21, who participate in wilderness programs based on both financial need and merit. On-going local mentoring is an essential component of this program.Student Opportunity Fund
Students with financial need for partial tuition support should apply to this program to participate in our wilderness programs. Priority is given to young people, ages 12 – 21.Emerging Leaders
Outward Bound creates future world leaders with merit-based scholarship awards to individual students.Outward Bound Leadership Award
Young high school and college students receive full, merit-based scholarship support for wilderness programs across the country. Is there a Leadership Award at your school? Click here to find out.National Alliances for Youth Development
Outward Bound partners with distinguished nationwide networks of schools and community-based organizations to provide scholarships that empower young leaders.Scholarship Programs for Student Groups
Programs for Educational and Community Groups work with schools, colleges and youth organizations to actualize personal excellence, leadership, stewardship, and direction-setting at school.
Programs for Health & Social Services Groups are designed to address the needs of individuals impacted by illness, injury, disability, trauma, violence, intolerance or economic/social instability. Programs help participants gain the confidence, trust and esteem needed to energize their lives and become fully contributing members of their communities
Scholarship Funding
Outward Bound scholarship students are generously supported by corporations, foundations and individuals. We help donors to designate honorary and memorial scholarship funds for students to participate in programs for individuals and groups. Click here for a directory of scholarship funds and designations.To design your own scholarship fund, please contact Lisa Mattis at 845-424-4000 (ext. 237) or LMattis@outwardbound.org