Tuition Assistance:

Tuition assistance is distributed to economically disadvantaged families working and living in and around the Telluride region. Families that request tuition assistance fill out a simple form and their rate is calculated using a matrix that takes into account household size and monthly income. The process is confidential.

In 2005, the Academy disbursed more than $70,000 in need-based assistance to 125 local and regional children. The pool of funds used for tuition assistance is maintained by grantors, including local and regional governments and philanthropic organizations, as well as private fundraising.

Work/Study:

The work/study option is designed for teens 13 and up and allows students willing to work and save the ability to enroll in a special theater or travel program, for example. A teen can earn up to 1/3 of the cost of a program to be matched by the Academy with the remainder of tuition paid for by their parents.

Early Bird:

Introduced in 2006, the Early Bird program offers working families a discount in exchange for early registration in February. The program was designed to provide enrollment incentives to local families to help us maintain a healthy balance of local vs. visiting students and streamline the planning process for the busy summer months.