Backpacking Trip Scholarships
As part of Blue Ridge Hiking Company's mission to make the trails enjoyable and accessible for everyone, we offer a limited number of backpacking trip scholarships each season for hikers in need of financial assistance.
Scholarships are open to any enthusiastic adult hiker in need, regardless of background or ability level. A subset of funding exists specifically for hikers who are members of the BIPOC or LGBTQ communities as a means of promoting equity in outdoor recreation. Scholarships range from 20% to 100% of the trip price.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for funding for group backpacking trips taking place in any month (applications are not limited to upcoming trips). All applications received by the review date will be reviewed, as long as the deadline for that trip has not passed. Scholarships are not available for March trips. Prospective hikers should be physically prepared to complete the trip for which they are applying.
Scholarship applications are reviewed three times each season:
- March 1 is the application deadline for trips taking place April 1 - June 30. Scholarships are awarded by March 15.
- May 1 is the application deadline for trips taking place July 1 - August 31. Scholarships are awarded by May 15.
- July 1 is the application deadline for trips taking place September 1 - November 30. Scholarships are awarded by July 15.
For a trip to be eligible for a scholarship participant, the existing registrant count must equal or exceed the participant minimum + 1. If the application is being reviewed less than two months from the start of a trip, the applicant will be considered if their participation allows the trip to meet the minimum participant requirement.
Please keep in mind that financial assistance applies only to the trip price. It does not apply to travel arrangements to and from the start of your trip in Western North Carolina or to gratuity for your guide. Industry standard gratuity is 20-25% of the full trip price.
To apply for scholarship funding, please complete our Scholarship Application Form.
We will review and respond to your applications according to the aforementioned review schedule.
