Scholarship Opportunities

The Putney Open Door Fund

The Putney Open Door Fund is a nonprofit foundation whose purpose is to eliminate barriers for young people seeking educational summer experiences. The Fund’s Board of Directors is committed to making the immeasurable benefits of transformative travel available to all students, regardless of their economic status.

Apply for a Full Scholarship

To be considered for a scholarship, candidates must meet eligibility criteria and complete a Putney Open Door Fund (PODF) application. Application materials are typically available in late October/early November for travel the following summer.

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Learn more about the Putney Open Door Fund and how you can give the gift of educational travel by donating today. 100% of donations go directly to funding scholarship students. Your support is greatly appreciated!

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Thank you for your interest in the Putney Open Door Fund. Scholarships are awarded annually. Every year, many applications are received and allocation is competitive. Before applying for a scholarship, please review eligibility requirements below.

Eligibility Requirements

Student must be a current resident of the United States (international students, including U.S. students living abroad, are not eligible to apply) and have a combined household income (adjusted gross income) of no more than the following income caps based on household size:

For each person in a household over 4 persons, we will increase the household income cap by $15,000.

Additionally, the applicant’s household will be expected to maintain few assets which will be assessed at the discretion of the PODF board. To verify income eligibility, we request a recent copy of a parent or guardian’s tax return Form 1040, line 11, showing adjusted gross income. If this is not available, other financial documentation must be provided.

If you meet the eligibility requirements above, we encourage you to complete a scholarship application (process outlined below). Application deposits are waived for all Putney Open Door Fund applicants. Please note that in order to maintain the equity of the scholarship process, late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

1. Completed Scholarship Application

Complete the Putney Open Door Fund application. (Application will be available in late October/early November.)

2. Two Teacher References

Two completed educator references submitted digitally through this Google Form. (Applicants must send this link to educators to complete.)

3. Financial Documents

Copy of parents’ or guardians’ most recent federal tax returns (fiscal year 2023 or 2024) and/or verification of non-taxable income (social security income, disability benefits, TANF, child support, etc.). Financial documentation from all contributing households is required. If the 1040 Tax Form submitted verifies income eligibility, no further documentation is required unless requested by the selection committee. This portion of the application must be sent by post mail to:

Putney Open Door Fund
345 Hickory Ridge Road
Putney, VT 05346

Applications must be received by February 15, 2025. An application is considered incomplete until we have received all required forms and documents.

Can I submit my scholarship application by mail?

Yes, if you are unable to complete the digital application steps above, please print, fill out, sign, and mail the following documents:

Putney Open Door Fund Scholarship Application Form (available late October/early November)
An applicant statement document that outlines:
- • The applicant’s specific connection to Putney’s programs and mission
- • Demonstrated interest in the program destination or theme
- • What the applicant hopes to gain from the experience
- • What the applicant feels they will contribute to a program and group of peers
Two teacher references for your teachers to complete and seal in an envelope with their signature across the seal.
Parent/Guardian statement explaining the household’s financial obligations, need for financial support, and outlining the unique characteristics of the applicant that demonstrate how the student would benefit from and contribute to a Putney program (if the applicant is financially emancipated or serves as head of household, this can be completed by the applicant).
Although this form is not needed to complete this stage of your application, please review the 2025 Putney Student Travel Agreement form . This document must be signed at a later date by all students who are awarded scholarship funding and their parent/guardian.
Mail completed applications to:

Putney Open Door Fund 345 Hickory Ridge Road Putney, VT 05346

What does the Applicant Statement require?

Within this online application, the applicant must submit an Applicant Statement of approximately 500 words that outlines:
- • The applicant’s specific connection to Putney’s programs and mission
- • Demonstrated interest in the program destination or theme
- • What the applicant hopes to gain from the experience
- • What the applicant feels they will contribute to a program and group of peers

What is the parent/guardian statement?

A parent/guardian statement is also requested within the online application, to explain the household’s financial obligations, need for financial support, and outlining the unique characteristics of the applicant that demonstrate how the student would benefit from and contribute to a Putney program (if the applicant is financially emancipated or serves as head of household, this can be completed by the applicant).

What is the Putney Student Travel Agreement Form?

All students awarded funding via the Putney Open Door Fund will be required to agree and sign this document along with their parent or guardian. The form is presented here for reference and completion is not required until after funding decisions are made.
Please review the 2025 Putney Student Travel Agreement Form here.

What costs does the scholarship cover?

The Putney Open Door Fund only offers full scholarships (i.e., does not offer partial scholarships or financial aid). These scholarships cover 100% of the program tuition and associated fees (including any required travel visas). In addition, the scholarships cover the costs of travel to and from the student’s home address in the U.S. and the program destination.

Please note that scholarships do not cover passport application fees.

Who should I contact with questions?

If you have questions about the Putney Open Door Fund application process, please contact our Scholarship Coordinator, scholarships@goputney.com.

2025 Board of Directors:

Emeritus Directors:

The Putney Open Door Fund

Apply for a Full Scholarship

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Eligibility Requirements

1. Completed Scholarship Application

2. Two Teacher References

3. Financial Documents

Programs

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Next Steps

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