Where Your Tuition Goes
You deserve to know where your tuition gets spent. Students’ tuitions are distributed to realize maximum in-country learning and to ensure maximum participant safety.
We know that expenses continue to increase, and a summer or Gap Year program might be a significant investment for your family. Our goal is to make our programs as accessible as possible for everyone.
Every financial situation is unique, and household income is only one factor assessing financial support needed. We understand that tax returns can skew income in various ways, and we work with every family to understand your holistic financial situation. If any amount of financial support would make a difference for you, please apply!
Standard Tuition
You pay 100%
Registering for a SUMMER program – early bird pricing ends December 1st.
Registering for a FALL semester – early bird pricing ends January 1st.
Registering for a SPRING semester – early bird pricing ends July 1st.
Just a little support. This pricing range is intended to help decrease financial stress for families who may not qualify for most forms of financial aid, but whose unique financial situations make it an uncomfortable stretch to pay the full cost of a Dragons program.
For those who need “a lot of support.” Scholarships are competitive. We award a limited number on a ‘need, then merit’ basis – applicants who demonstrate financial need are then considered based on merit. Scholarships encompass a wide range of incomes and economic situations, and we strive to allocate our limited funds to a varied set of awardees each season.
You deserve to know where your tuition gets spent. Students’ tuitions are distributed to realize maximum in-country learning and to ensure maximum participant safety.
Fill out a standard online application. Please do not submit a program deposit (Sliding Scale applicants will be invited to submit a deposit if their application is approved. The $850 deposit is waived for all Scholarship applicants). Be detailed when answering the short answer responses; this is your chance to express why you are a great fit for WTBD! As with all WTBD students, we are looking for applicants who are curious and excited to engage with communities around the world, and who meet our Essential Eligibility Criteria.
Fill out a financial assistance application. Complete this form alongside your parent or guardian. Sliding Scale applications are considered on a rolling, first-come, first-served basis. Scholarship applications must be received by the session’s deadline to be considered: Summer scholarship applications: due by March 1. Fall scholarship applications: due by May 15. Spring scholarship applications: due by October 15.
Acquire a copy of your parents’ most recent Federal tax returns. Please be sure that your family income information is available on the document (Your FAFSA or SAR can also work if it shows your family income). While you are not required to submit your documents with your financial assistance application, you must be able to provide them at Dragons request.
If we may be able to support your financial assistance request, our admissions team will contact you.
Sliding Scale: You’ll hear back within five (5) business days. If approved, you will submit your program deposit first and then receive an interview invitation.
Scholarships: After the session scholarship deadline, the scholarship committee will select applicants to advance to the interview stage. You will not submit a program deposit.
After an interview, our Review Committee will issue an admissions and financial assistance decision via email. Please be patient. The process can take time, and all decisions are made with care. Feel free to check in on the status of your application by emailing us.