A Helping Hand: Road Scholar’s Financial Assistance & Scholarship Programs
- Since Road Scholar’s founding over 50 years ago, financial assistance has been a part of our mission.
- Today, Road Scholars can apply for a variety of aid options, from Caregiver Grants to PEAR Scholarships to scholarships for our Adventures Online.
- Financial assistance has enabled Road Scholars to continue their journeys of lifelong learning and helped to remove cost as a barrier to entry.
Since its founding in 1975, Road Scholar has set aside resources to provide financial support to those attending our learning adventures.
“With the generous support of our donors, we are proud to offer financial aid and scholarships to adults 50 and over,” says Ann Simanis, Associate Vice President, Advancement. “We believe in providing adults with the opportunity to experience the joy of discovery, respite and camaraderie on our learning adventures. Whether studying art history, hiking the Grand Canyon or exploring architecture on our Signature City programs, we offer endless choices for participants to experience the benefits of lifelong learning.”
A History of Financial Assistance
From its beginning, Road Scholar (then known as Elderhostel) set aside $1 of every tuition payment to offer “Hostelships.” In 1982, the Annual Fund became our primary way to grow financial aid resources. Today, thanks to the generosity of our donors, more than 200 scholarships are awarded each year.
The scholarship from Road Scholar made it possible for me to take my first solo trip as a widow. In my husband Rich’s honor, I enrolled in Hiking the Grand Canyon: Adventures On and Below the South Rim in the fall of 2023. I often thought about Rich and how much he would have loved the canyon.
— Colleen G., N.J., Road Scholar Class of ’23
Caregiver Grants
Launched in 2015, Caregiver Grants offer respite for those who are primary unpaid caregivers. Road Scholar understands the emotional and physical demands of providing daily care to a loved one, and we are committed to helping caregivers attend our learning adventures. Individuals caring for an ill or disabled family member (spouse, parent, adult child, partner or sibling) are eligible to apply for a grant.
Thank you to Road Scholar for making the Caregiver Grant available. It has brought me peace and joy. Upon receiving this grant, I chose to attend History and Ecology: Okefenokee Swamp, Amelia & Cumberland Islands because my father would say that the sun and water have healing properties.
— Michelle M., Ill., Road Scholar Class of ’24
Scholarships for Educators (PEAR)
Road Scholar began offering the “Professional Educator’s Assistance Recognition” (PEAR) Scholarship in 2018. Active or retired educators with limited means can apply for this scholarship, including prior or current employees of any educational organization (public or private early childhood, primary, secondary or higher education).
The PEAR Scholarship came at a good time. Five days before Christmas last year, I lost my sister to cancer. Thankfully, the anticipation of the program I chose, Virginia, Mother of Presidents: Seven Historic Sites, gave me something to look forward to when I was depressed. I never thought I would be honored in this way.
— Susan S., Ill., Road Scholar Class of ’24
Adventures Online Scholarships
If traveling is not an option, Road Scholar’s Adventures Online present experiences that allow participants to learn from the comfort of home. Introduced in 2020, these multi-day online adventures are led by expert instructors who foster discussions and interaction among fellow Road Scholars.
As a caregiver, opportunity to travel is limited. With this award and fine online program, The Legends & History of Turkey, I was able to gain special insight from home. As a younger man, I traveled with my wife. We had planned an in-depth visit to Turkey, but life and medical complications got in the way. This scholarship is a wonderful gift to those of us who who cannot travel but want to learn and explore.
— David G., Calif., Road Scholar Class of ’24
Road Scholar thanks our community of dedicated supporters for making our financial aid and scholarships possible. Learn more about supporting or applying for financial aid.
Lauren Briggs first discovered Road Scholar at the age of ten, when she embarked on a Grandparent Adventure with her grandfather. In 2022, she reconnected with the
organization and began writing for Road Scholar full-time. Lauren is especially passionate about sharing participant stories, including her own Road Scholar experiences in South Dakota and Grand Teton National Park. She lives in Massachusetts and enjoys spending summers exploring New England in her campervan.