Summer Scholarships

As you are considering a summer opportunity for your child, we are well aware of the financial barriers that are present for many families when considering an opportunity such as this. ARCC is committed to providing meaningful experiences for all of our students, regardless of their financial means to attend, and do everything that we can to make these opportunities accessible for all students. We strive to uphold these values of our organization through a variety of means, including scholarships, fundraising ideas, flexibility with payments, and support with gear expenses.

ARCC Summer Scholarship Application Steps

To be considered for an ARCC Scholarship, families must complete the scholarship steps outlined below. ARCC scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis, with earlier applications receiving priority consideration and the greatest availability of funds. Typical award amounts range from $500 to $2,000.

ARCC will continue reviewing applications throughout the season as funding allows, though availability may become more limited later in the year (April or later). Please note that families are not required to submit a program deposit until a scholarship offer has been awarded, allowing you to determine whether the support offered is sufficient for your family.

To apply for ARCC’s Summer Scholarship, please submit the following as early as possible:

  • Complete ARCC's Scholarship Application

    The first step of the ARCC Scholarship process is to complete the application HERE. This application must be completed in full by a parent or guardian. As part of the review process, ARCC may request a student interview and a copy of the family’s most recent tax return.

  • Submit Your Student Statement

    The student statement should be completed confidentially by the student and submitted HERE. It should describe why you would like to participate in an ARCC program, what you are most excited about, and how you will contribute to a positive group experience.

  • Fill Out Our Brief Online Application

    Click Enroll Now and complete the brief application through CampInTouch. When you reach the deposit page, select “Pay by check.” The $800 deposit is waived while you begin the scholarship process.

  • Receive Your Scholarship Offer

    Upon receipt of your completed scholarship application, our team will review it and respond within 3–4 weeks with details about the scholarship support available to you. This will include the amount of the award and the specific program(s) to which it applies. In some cases, families may receive more than one scholarship offer, with awards designated for specific programs.

  • Accept Your Offer

    Once you receive a scholarship offer, you will have time to determine whether it is the right fit for your family. If you choose to accept the offer, a $400 deposit is required to secure your student’s place in the program. The remaining tuition balance is due by March 1, or within a specified timeframe after accepting the scholarship, depending on when the application was submitted. Please contact us if you need a more flexible payment plan.

If you have any questions about the ARCC Scholarship process, please call (415) 332-5075 or email us and we’ll be happy to support you!

Apply for ARCC’s Summer Scholarship

Additional Information

Confidentiality:

All financial aid applications will be kept in strictest confidence. Only senior staff will evaluate them. They will be destroyed at the end of the season. No participants on the program will know of the financial aid awarded to your family.

ARCC may request a student interview as well as a copy of your family’s tax return as part of the scholarship process.

Binkley Foundation Grants & Scholarships:

ARCC is excited to highlight a wonderful scholarship opportunity for our students through the Binkley Foundation. Here is a bit more information about the foundation, as well as the financial assistance available:

The Binkley Foundation was established by Frederick M. Binkley and Marian F. Binkley in 1987. The primary objectives and purposes of this corporation are to provide funding for education and charitable assistance to the general public by granting academic scholarships and funding various educational endeavors. The Foundation has routinely made distributions to the University of California Berkeley, and to the Vascular Surgery Department at the University of San Francisco.

Today, Sharon Binkley Straus, the founders’ daughter, is the Director of the Foundation.
In addition to supporting the above entities and others, Sharon has created a Scholarship Program specifically for individuals from historically marginalized communities. This includes, but is not limited to, people of color, those from under-resourced municipalities, women and girls, LGBTQ+ persons, and individuals covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Foundation wishes to assist such individuals if there is a financial need in order to create, attend, or participate in programs designed for personal or community growth in terms of academic or work-related advancement or cultural awareness. You can access the full eligibility criteria HERE.

AWARD AMOUNTS
The number and amounts of individual awards will vary from year to year. It is anticipated that 2-12 awards will be given out annually and that the dollar amount will range from $500 to $10,000. Scholarships will be granted on an annual basis and will be renewable based upon need and successful completion (passing) of the program attended or a positive reception (majority approval) of the event/creation. A Binkley Scholarship can be combined with ARCC Financial Aid on any ARCC summer program.

If you are interested in applying for The Binkley Foundation Grant, please reach out to [email protected].

Payment Plans:

We offer students and families the option to pay for their program tuition in small increments over a period of time to lessen the burden of having to pay for the tuition in full upfront. Please ask us for more information regarding this option.

Gear Lending Program:

Gear for a summer program can end up amounting to a large financial commitment for some families. ARCC has a gear lending program where students can borrow certain items that we have in-house for the duration of their program, which are then returned at the end of the program for use by another student. Gear available includes backpacking packs, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, and mess kits. Please send gear requests to your Summer Director by May 1st. Please note that gear lending is only applicable for financial aid recipients.

Furthermore our packing list includes a list of online discount gear options to help ease that financial burden as well.