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We Accept 529 College Savings Plans + AmeriCorps Awards

Did you know you can use your 529 College Savings Plan or AmeriCorps Education Award to pay for an Outward Bound experience? In fact, over 300 families every year use 529 funds to pay for a course! Thanks to our accredited educational partner, Western Colorado University (WCU), we can accept both payment options through their Center for Learning and Innovation’s Outdoor and Experiential Learning program. You do not have to be a current Western Colorado University student to apply – anyone can register! 

To use your 529 Savings Plan or AmeriCorps Award for your Outward Bound tuition, applicable course credits must also be purchased through Western ($180 per credit hour). And, as a result, you will earn academic credit for your Outward Bound outdoor education course. To learn more about what type of credits you will earn, please visit the Academic Credit page. 

Please note: Western Colorado University will also charge a 2% administrative fee on course tuition fees paid to Outward Bound (not to exceed $400). For course tuition paid by 529 and AmeriCorps funds, the 2% fee will be added to the tuition line of your invoice from WCU. For example, if your Outward Bound course tuition is $1,000.00, your invoice from WCU will be $1,020.00. This fee is in addition to your Outward Bound tuition and will be reported on the IRS 1098-T form for educational expenses. This fee is paid directly to WCU and does not go to Outward Bound. 

If you are not paying Outward Bound course tuition with 529 or AmeriCorps funds, you will pay Outward Bound directly and there is no administrative fee from WCU.

 
How to use your 529 College Savings Plan

  1. Follow all steps under “How to Apply” on our Academic Credit page.

  2. Once you receive your invoice for balance due from WCU, initiate funds to be released from your 529 plan account to Western Colorado University in the amount listed on the invoice. 

Please Note: Students using 529 funds for their Outward Bound course will pay WCU in full for their Outward Bound tuition cost and their WCU credit costs. 

 
How to use your AmeriCorps Education Award

  1. For your award to be valid for use, please apply for an Outward Bound course that starts before your award expires. 

  2. Follow all steps under “How to Apply” on our Academic Credit page. 

  3. Once you receive your invoice for balance due from WCU, log on to your AmeriCorps portal and submit an educational voucher to “Western State Colorado University” in the amount that is listed on the invoice. 

  4. Once your AmeriCorps award request is received by WCU, they will review your voucher and authorize it to be certified and processed for your balance due. 

Please Note: Students using an award for their Outward Bound course will pay WCU in full for their Outward Bound tuition cost and their WCU credit costs. Additional course expenses paid for out-of-pocket, including: the $150 deposit, travel costs, and items from course packing list, can be submitted to AmeriCorps for reimbursement covered by their award. 

 

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