The Best Scholarship for Yoga Teacher Training: Your Path to Funding

scholarships for teacher training

So you’ve been taking yoga classes for a while and have decided you’re ready to become a certified yoga teacher. YAY!! 

I know it can be hard figuring out how to choose a yoga teacher training. There are so many options out there, from online programs to in person and hybrid training it can be overwhelming…then there’s the price. There are cheaper options out there but what if the teacher training program you love is just too expensive?

You can get a scholarship for yoga teacher training!

Yoga Teacher Training Scholarship Programs

As you research programs and teacher training cost you might come to realize a high quality yoga teacher training is a bigger investment than you expected. Don’t be discouraged. There are quite a few different yoga teacher training scholarship programs out there to give you financial support. 

Types of Scholarships

Below is a list of some of the different types of yoga scholarships/grants that may be available when you sign up for yoga teacher training. 

Full Scholarships

A full scholarship is exactly what it sounds like. It covers the full cost of your tuition and sometimes books. For example the Uplifted 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training program full scholarship includes the training manual. There are often a limited number of full scholarships offered per training.

Partial Scholarships

If you don’t qualify for a full scholarship you may qualify for a partial scholarship. This could cover up to fifty percent of your tuition costs but does not include any of the required materials. Partial scholarships can be awarded based on need or even location. For example if you live somewhere where the currency exchange rate for your desired training does not work in your favor you could ask about a partial scholarship to make up the difference. 

Work For Trade Scholarships

Work for trade scholarships are less common but still possible. This partial support scholarship would mean reaching out to the school of choice and building a relationship with them to see if you can offer work for trade. A work trade scholarship program is offering your services in exchange for partial or full discounts on tuition. This could mean:

  • Doing administrative work
  • Working the front desk of the studio
  • Cleaning
  • Blog writing
  • Teaching classes after graduation, etc.

Think about what knowledge and skills you have to offer the company where you want to train. Where might they need more help? Then reach out and make a proposal!

Military Scholarships

Active Members

As an active military member any grants or scholarships would need to go through the department of education. This makes them harder to find and less likely to get. However, many organizations offer military discounts for active service members. Reach out to the program and ask! 

Veterans

Depending on where you live you may qualify for a scholarship as a military veteran. Reach out to the program you desire and inquire or check with your local Veteran’s Affairs(VA) office to see what grants are available.

If you work for the VA you may be able to get a grant through the whole health program. Contact them to inquire for funding available.

Military Spouses

If you are the spouse of an active military member you may qualify for access to a MyCAA Scholarship.

“The My Career Advancement Account Scholarship is a workforce development program that provides up to $4,000 in financial assistance to eligible military spouses for the pursuit of a license, certification or associate degree or for continuing education courses to maintain a license or certification necessary for employment. The MyCAA Scholarship is part of the Defense Department Spouse Education and Career Opportunities program, which offers comprehensive coaching, information, tools and resources to support military spouses in meeting their career and education goals.” – MyCAA

BIPOC Scholarships

Black indigenous and people of historically marginalized populations may be eligible for specific scholarships. Many yoga teacher training programs partner with other companies in order to grant BIPOC(Black, Indigenous and People of Color) scholarships. Again, you have to reach out to the specific school/yoga institute you are looking at to see what they offer BIPOC students.

I know I’m a broken record but a lot of finding out which teaching scholarships are available involves just asking! Do your research, find the programs you love and teachers you want to train with. Then reach out to ask what scholarships they offer and how to apply.

Eligibility Criteria and Application Process

Depending on the program, each scholarship will have its own set of eligibility criteria. Make sure you research the specific requirements for the scholarship of your desired program. Be prepared to at least show:

  • Proof of financial need
  • A personal statement showing your passion for yoga
  • Letters of reference

Scholarships through a third party may require some extra steps. For example, if you were applying for a MyCAA Scholarship with either the Uplifted 200-Hour Yoga Teaching Training or 300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training these are the steps you would take:

  1. Schedule a coaching session with a SECO (Spouse Education and Career Opportunities) coach for a consultation on what scholarships/grants would be best for you based on what CE you, the military spouse (MS), want to take.
  2. Then reach out to info@upliftedyoga.com to request ETP (Educational Training Plan) – We then fill out, sign and return it to the potential student.
  3. Turn your ETP into your MyCAA coach for review and approval
  4. Once approved and you receive your letter of approval, forward the letter of approval to info@upliftedyoga.com to complete the steps and send MyCAA an invoice (Important note: Uplifted is not notified by MyCAA when a MS/ETP is approved – the student has to reach out to us when they are approved with the letter of approval. )
  5. Once invoice is paid to the school/us – we will reach out with the next steps to register. 

Again, it’s important to research the specific requirements for the scholarship you are applying to. Some scholarships may require a work for trade or volunteer commitment for the trade. Others may want to know how you plan to contribute to the community or what exactly you’ll be planning to do with your certification. This is a very individualized process. 

Tips for a Successful Scholarship Application

Although the scholarship process is unique to different yoga schools there are things you can do to prepare yourself for success.

Give a Proper Background

Simply saying you’ve been practicing yoga for a long time and are ready for the next steps isn’t going to be enough to engage the person assessing your scholarship application. Give a full scope of your background and what brought you to yoga. Think about including things like:

  • What were the signs you were ready for a yoga teacher training? 
  • How has yoga bettered or changed your life?
  • Qualities or skills you have to offer the yoga community
  • Volunteer experience
  • Your deep why on pursuing yoga teacher training

The art of story telling is a very powerful tool when it comes to these applications.

Letters of Reference

Letters of recommendation are always helpful to include in your application. If you know a yoga instructor or someone within the yoga community in which you are applying; having a recommendation from them can go a long way. Letters of reference can also come from a teacher at a local studio you’ve worked with or an organization you might volunteer with who can speak to your level of dedication.

Make Your Application More Dynamic

If you’re able to, include some photos or video of your practice so those reviewing your application can put a face to your name. This will help make your application more dynamic and relatable. Talk about what you plan to do with your certification. Do you plan to give back to the community? How? These are all things reviewers want to see. 

Other things to consider for yoga scholarships are making sure your application is clear and you submit your application in a timely manner. Some programs want applications at least eight weeks before training starts. 

What to Do If You Don’t Qualify for a Scholarship

Not everyone is going to be awarded a scholarship, but don’t be discouraged if you don’t get selected. If you applied for a full scholarship and were denied, reach out and ask about a partial scholarship or work for trade. If you still don’t qualify, that doesn’t mean you can’t attend yoga teacher training. Reach out to the school and ask about other funding options. If that still doesn’t pan out, start getting creative. There are a lot of ways to find the funds:

  • Try crowdfunding or check your personal savings
  • Look at where you can cut back in your day to day (that $7 morning latte perhaps? Or do you really need takeout 3-4x a week?)
  • Offer up your services on places like Task Rabbit, DoorDash, Fiverr, or InstaCart
  • Get on a payment plan

It’s a good idea to start coming up with a backup plan just in case your scholarship application is denied. If yoga teacher training is your dream then you’ll want to do everything you can to make it happen and guess what…YOU WILL!!

Closing Thoughts

Keep in mind that if you are awarded a scholarship you want to be dedicated and thoughtful of others. It’s an honor to be chosen and you want to be respectful of that. A yoga teacher training can be life changing, advancing your personal growth and helping you harness your unique voice. There are various ways to fund your training and you have to trust that it’ll all work out regardless of your financial situation.

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