Sustainability Scholarships and Financial Aid

Who is the Economic Access Scholarship for?

At Presidio, we believe that no qualified students are turned away due to lack of funding. The economic access scholarship is an aid fund available to new and continuing students who demonstrate financial need based on the Economic Access Scholarship Application, which requires students to submit a FAFSA for the current year. We encourage anyone feeling the financial stress of paying for higher education to apply for this scholarship.

How do I apply as a new student?

• Step 1: Complete your admissions application.
• Step 2: To apply for the Economic Access Scholarship, students must provide the following through our scholarship application form.
• Step 3:  Our Scholarships Committee will review your application and statement, and reach out to inform you of any awards granted based on the documentation provided (including the estimated family contribution per FAFSA® and/or the circumstances shared in your scholarship statement).

What is the typical Economic Access Scholarship award?

While the exact value of the Economic Access Scholarship varies, awards typically vary between 10-50% of program tuition.

Availability and renewal

This scholarship will be awarded for the duration of the entire program, and the criteria to continue receiving the award is to remain in good academic standing by maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Scholarship Deadline

Our scholarship deadlines fall on the same dates as our general application deadlines. We consider scholarship applications on a rolling basis up until the final admissions deadline and encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. Please note that applications for the Economic Access Scholarship will only be considered after the applicant’s general application is submitted. Please see admissions deadlines for dates.

Who is the Academic Leadership Scholarship for?

Solving the world’s unprecedented challenges in an era of disruption, uncertainty, and rapid business change requires a new brand of leadership. We’re proud to recognize and award this scholarship to select students who embody our core values by demonstrating outstanding academic achievement, ethical leadership, an exceptional commitment to equity and inclusion, promotion of social justice, or a unique drive for sustainability.

How do I apply as a new student?

• Step 1: Complete your admissions application.
• Step 2: To apply for the Academic Leadership Scholarship, students must prove one or more of the following through our scholarship application form:
  • Completed bachelor’s degree and exemplary academic track record as evidenced by official transcripts reflecting a minimum GPA of 3.25 or higher
    OR
  • Promise or track record of community and/or organizational leadership as shown through either a letter of recommendation and/or publication
    AND
  • A 500-word essay that demonstrates or describes your commitment to becoming a changemaker in one of the areas aligned with Presidio mission: social justice, sustainability, and/or systems thinking.
• Step 3: Our Scholarships Committee will review your application and reach out to inform you of any awards granted.

What is the typical Academic Leadership Scholarship award?

While the exact value of the Academic Leadership Scholarship varies, awards typically vary between 10-20% of program tuition.

Scholarship Deadline

Our scholarship deadlines fall on the same dates as our general application deadlines. We consider scholarship applications on a rolling basis up until the final admissions deadline and encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. Please note that applications for the Economic Access Scholarship will only be considered after the applicant’s general application is submitted. Please see admissions deadlines for dates.

Who is the Representation Matters Scholarship for?

At Presidio, we hold that sustainability is a deeply intersectional field. While historical definitions have focused on environmental impact, we believe that truly sustainable solutions must be economically, environmentally, and socially equitable—and these solutions cannot be designed without equitable representation. The world’s most urgent challenges demand that we proactively support and uplift BIPOC voices to expand representation in the field of sustainability. To that end, the Representation Matters Scholarship specifically designated for incoming students interested pursuing a career in sustainable business or sustainable policy.

How do I apply as a new student?

• Step 1: Complete your admissions application.
• Step 2: To apply for the Representation Matters Scholarship, students must prove one or more of the following through our scholarship application form:
  • A proven track record of commitment to sustainability or DEI work within your community and/or organization as evidenced by one or more of the following: letter of recommendation and/or publication(s).
    AND
  • A 500-word essay that describes how you envision an expanded commitment to sustainability, systems thinking, or DEI could be impacted in your community and/or organization.
• Step 3: Our Scholarships Committee will review your application and reach out to inform you of any awards granted.

What is the typical Representation Matters Scholarship award?

While the exact value of the Representation Matters Scholarship varies, awards typically vary between 10-50% of program tuition.

Application Deadline

Our scholarship deadlines fall on the same dates as our general application deadlines. We consider scholarship applications on a rolling basis up until the final admissions deadline and encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. Please note that applications for the Economic Access Scholarship will only be considered after the applicant’s general application is submitted. Please see admissions deadlines for dates.

Who is the John A. Spiekhout Scholarship for?

John A. Spiekhout was a pillar of his community who believed passionately in social justice and understood that the world was facing unprecedented challenges that demanded a new brand of leadership. The Spiekhout Scholarship honors his legacy through generous funding from his family, including alumna Rebekah Helzel, Linda Mantel, and the Helzel Family Foundation. The Spiekhout Scholarship is awarded once per year to an incoming student who presents a demonstrated commitment to social justice or social impact.

How do I apply as a new student?

• Step 1: Complete your admissions application.
• Step 2: To apply for the Spiekhout Scholarship, students must prove more of the following through our scholarship application form, with particular emphasis on subject matters related to social justice or social impact:
  • Academic excellence as evidenced by academic transcripts
  • Letter of recommendation from a professor
  • Published work
  • Track record of organizing or community work

  AND

• A 500-word essay that describes your commitment to social justice and impact principles through your work, volunteerism, or other practice.

What is the typical Spiekhout Scholarship award?

The Spikehout Scholarship is awarded to one outstanding degree candidate each year. The total award is 50% off program tuition and is a combination of the Spiekhout Award and Presidio Scholarships.

Application Deadline

Our scholarship deadlines fall on the same dates as our general application deadlines. We consider scholarship applications on a rolling basis up until the final admissions deadline and encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. Please note that applications for the Economic Access Scholarship will only be considered after the applicant’s general application is submitted. Please see admissions deadlines for dates.