Our Scholarship Program is guided by a single principle: that every person should be given the opportunity to experience adventure and challenge, to develop character and compassion, and learn social and environmental responsibility—regardless of financial ability.
We believe the outdoors has the power to change lives. Challenge, connection, resilience, and discovery should be within reach for every motivated student.
Thanks to the generosity of our alumni, families, and supporters, we award scholarships each year to help make our transformative courses accessible to all. We partner with families, schools, and youth programs nationwide to ensure that financial circumstances are never the sole barrier to participation.
Scholarships are awarded based on financial need, motivation, and merit, and are distributed on a rolling basis. If cost feels like an obstacle, we encourage you to apply.
Adventure awaits. Let us help you take that first bold step.
At Hurricane Island Outward Bound School, we see more than numbers—we see potential. Our scholarship review process is holistic, considering each applicant’s unique experiences, character, and aspirations, not just financial circumstances.
We look for a genuine desire to grow: to embrace challenge, serve others, build leadership skills, and pursue self-discovery in the outdoors. These qualities are at the heart of the Outward Bound experience.
Every application is thoughtfully reviewed by our Scholarship Committee, which works to determine the level of support we can offer based on both need and readiness for the journey ahead.
To request an application for a scholarship, please proceed with the following steps:
(1) Apply for your course first
Select the Hurricane Island Outward Bound course you wish to enroll in. Search courses here.
(2) Indicate scholarship interest
Answer “Yes” when asked if you are interested in applying for a scholarship on the application.
(3) Complete additional application materials
Within two business days of submitting your enrollment form you should expect to receive an email for additional enrollment information, including a scholarship application. Complete your scholarship application and return it by the stated deadline. Timely completion of paperwork will assist us with determining the award we are able to offer you.
(4) Reach out with any additional questions
If you have additional questions about your scholarship application, please contact us at 855-802-0307, or email [email protected].
Our scholarships are made possible by a community that believes deeply in the transformative power of the outdoors. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on the generosity of alumni, families, and friends who want to ensure that more students have access to challenge, growth, and discovery.
Many of our scholarships are established in honor or memory of individuals whose lives were shaped by Outward Bound. Whether endowed or funded annually, each scholarship represents a legacy of courage, resilience, and opportunity passed forward to the next generation.
You, too, can help open the door. Your support makes it possible for motivated students to step into an experience that can change the trajectory of their lives.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Outward Bound courses build real-world skills like leadership, communication, and problem-solving through immersive outdoor challenges. These experiences aren’t just life-changing—they can also earn you academic credit.
Thanks to our partnership with Western Colorado University (WCU), you can receive accredited college credit for your course, recognizing the value of learning beyond traditional settings.
Have an AmeriCorps Education Award or 529 Savings Plan?
Find out how to use it to go Outward Bound.
This course has completely changed the way I think about my life, and my relationships. It opened my eyes to human nature, and what life is about. Even through all the challenges, I still managed to learn so much about myself and others. I’m so grateful to have had this experience.
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