About half of NOLS' budgeted scholarship funds go to individual scholarships. These scholarships allow us to recognize not only need and merit, but also diversity and inclusion. We believe that inclusion is intrinsically connected to strong leadership and that every individual has unique perspectives and values to contribute. In order to maximize the wealth of diversity we all bring to the field, we seek to incorporate a broad student population.
Educating outdoor leaders has been a priority for NOLS since the school was founded in 1965. This focus allows NOLS to leverage its scholarship efforts in a powerful way by educating teachers, program leaders and land managers.
The final segment of scholarship funds is awarded to individuals who live in areas in which we operate. For example, in Mexico and Chile we conduct Spanish Programs for land managers, educators and guides. Prioritizing students who are local to our course areas strengthens our programs from the ground up.
A committee of representatives from Admissions and Operations makes NOLS scholarship decisions. We evaluate applications by course type: all semester course applicants together, all outdoor educator course applicants together, etc. In this way we're able to reserve money for each area and avoid comparing applicants to others with a different league of experience. Scholarships are the best way to make NOLS' education more accessible.
NOLS has established many named or memorial scholarships at the request of supporters. These are endowed or annually funded programs that award scholarships based on specific criteria, or in memory of an individual.
A committee at NOLS reviews all scholarship applications for potential matches with the requirements of these annual and endowed scholarships. We will contact the donors, if required, and inform you if you are awarded these funds.
| Awarded Annually |
| Chris Stanton Memorial Scholarship |
| David E. Perkins Memorial Scholarship - David E. Perkins was an enthusiastic outdoorsman, zealous nature lover and preserver, and passionate humanitarian. The purpose of the David E. Perkins Annual Memorial Scholarship is to provide financial aid for NOLS students with demonstrated merit and financial need to participate in a Leave No Trace Master Educator Course, with preference for courses being run in Yellowstone National Park. |
| DeSo’s Dream: Instructor Course Scholarship |
| DeSo’s Dream: Patagonia Scholarship |
| Dustin & Kristin Yoder Memorial Scholarship |
| Peter Roy Scholarship |
| Shane Nemetz Memorial Scholarship |
| Endowed Scholarships |
| Pete Absolon Memorial Scholarship - In memory of Pete's spirit of adventure and excitement, this scholarship is intended for instructor training. Pete was a long-time staff member and instructor at NOLS, and this scholarship is established by his family and friends. |
| John S. Avant Jr. Memorial - John was a graduate of a Wind River Wilderness Course in 1985. He was a young man who truly enjoyed the outdoors and inspired actions through his quiet ways. This scholarship was established in his memory to provide financial aid for NOLS students with demonstrated merit and financial need. Preference will be given to applicants from Columbus, Georgia, then to applicants from the state of Georgia. |
| Katherine Dial Baker Memorial Scholarship - This scholarship was established in memory of Semester in the Pacific Northwest graduate Katherine Dial Baker. Preference will go to female applicants. |
| John N. Barnes Memorial - John Barnes took a Semester in the Rockies in the fall of 1987. He expressed a great love for the outdoors and a desire to gain the skills necessary to travel safely and responsibly in the backcountry. The purpose of this scholarship will be to provide partial or full annual scholarships for students wishing to take a NOLS course in Wyoming. |
| Benton Scholarship - This scholarship is intended to be used as funding for a NOLS course for a qualified student or students from the Chinquapin School in Houston, Texas, or other qualified applicants in the Houston area, or other qualified applicants in Texas. |
| Randolph Britt Memorial Scholarship - This scholarship was established in memory of NOLS graduate Randy Britt, a wilderness advocate with a love of the outdoors. He believed in the NOLS mission and the benefit of a NOLS education. |
| Charles W. Brooks II Memorial Scholarship - Established in memory of Charley Brooks, this scholarship is intended for students interested in taking a Wind River Mountaineering course, followed by any course in the Wind River Range. Charley was a strong, spirited, and motivated student on his Wind River Mountaineering course in 1990. |
| Patrick J. Clark Memorial Scholarship - This scholarship, in memory of NOLS employee and instructor Patrick Clark, is intended for applicants intending to take a NOLS mountaineering course. |
| Colhoun United World College Scholarship - The purpose of this scholarship is to provide financial aid for NOLS students who have demonstrated financial need and merit. Preference will be given to applicants that are currently enrolled at a United World College. |
| Charles H. Davison Memorial Scholarship - Charles became involved with NOLS when he encouraged his teenage son Andrew to attend a NOLS course in 1981 and saw firsthand the positive impact the school made on young lives. First preference will be given to applicants who desire to take a NOLS course, have a family income at or below the national average, and have requested financial aid. |
| Eastside College Preparatory School Scholarship - This scholarship was established by Greg and Anne Avis. The scholarship is for students from Eastside College Preparatory School who desire to take a NOLS course. |
| Scott Fischer Memorial Scholarship |
| Gordon de Lima Hamilton Memorial - This scholarship was established in memory of Gordon de Lima Hamilton. It is intended for students taking Outdoor Educator courses. |
| Lawrence S. Huntington Mountaineering Scholarship - The purpose of this scholarship is to provide a partial scholarship to a student wishing to take a NOLS mountaineering course who demonstrates both merit and need. |
| Kinship Scholarship - This scholarship was established by five family members who are all NOLS graduates, and is intended for applicants who meet the highest standards of the NOLS admissions requirements and demonstrate financial need. |
| Koopman Family Endowed Scholarship - The Koopman family has a strong multi-generational relationship with NOLS. This scholarship is offered to help expand financial assistance to qualified physically challenged individuals, their assistants, or others who might not have an opportunity to participate in a NOLS experience. |
| Gretchen Long Endowed Scholarship - Gretchen is a longtime supporter of NOLS, a former chair of the NOLS board and a longtime advocate of protecting the environment. Her passion for ensuring that others experience a NOLS education led her to establish this scholarship. Her goal is to fund female students, so that they can lead others both in the field and in the frontcountry. |
| Homer Luther Scholarship for Excellence |
| Christopher Martinat Memorial Scholarship - In recognition of Chris’s love of nature an the outdoors, this scholarship fully funds the tuition for a month-long NOLS course in the Rocky Mountains, with preference for applicants from Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, or Knollwood, Illinois. |
| Philip Otis Memorial Scholarship - This fund recently helped support its 100th student! The scholarship was created in memory of Philip Otis, a two-time NOLS grad who was happiest when in the outdoors. |
| Kurt Petersen Family Scholarship |
| Trina & Jess Peterson Scholarship |
| Paul Petzoldt Legacy Scholarship |
| Mark R. Philips Scholarship |
| Bernard B. Rinella Jr. Memorial Scholarship |
| Wendy Rogers Memorial Scholarship |
| Peter Simer Instructor Course Scholarship |
| Christine Dixon Vallenova Memorial Scholarship |
| Tom Walter Memorial Fund |
| WDL Scholarship |
| Headlands Scholarship - This scholarship is intended for students from the Bay Area, preferably women, who desire to take a course in the Wind River Mountains. |
| Regional Endowed Scholarships |
Front Range Scholarship
Houston Area Scholarship
New Mexico Scholarship
New York Scholarship
Teton Petzoldt Scholarship
Puget Sound Scholarship
Wyoming Scholarship |
These scholarships are made possible by NOLS supporters from each listed region, and are intended for applicants from those regions. |
