frequently asked questions

Q: What is Education Without Walls?
A: Education Without Walls is a year-round mentorship and outdoor education program that provides academic and life skills guidance for motivated teens. By merging meaningful outdoor adventures with ongoing mentorship, we help aspiring students achieve their academic and personal goals.

Q: What does Education Without Walls cost for the year? 
A: $3,000 per student per year.

Q: Does Education Without Walls offer scholarships?
A: Yes. Full scholarships are awarded to students who live below the U.S. Federal Poverty Guidelines or live in foster care. Partial scholarships are awarded on a sliding scale depending on family income.

Q: How do I know if I qualify for a full scholarship? 
A: If your family income is below the $ amount, then you qualify for a full scholarship.
    For a family of 2 $20,440
    For a family of 3 $25,820
    For a family of 4 $31,200
    For a family of 5 $36,580
    For a family of 6 $41,960
    For a family of 7 $47,340
    For a family of 8 $52,720
    For a family of 9+ add $5,380 per person

Q: How does Education Without Walls determine the amounts for the partial scholarships?
A: Partial scholarship are calculated based on income and family size.  The chart below is based on a family size of two individuals. Use the chart below to determine the program cost. Add an additional 10 % ($300) off per family member in the household.

  Income                  Your Cost 
  $20-$30,000          $300
  $30- $40,000         $600
  $40- $50,000         $900
  $50- $60,000         $1200
  $60- $70,000         $1500
  $70- $80,000         $1800
  $80- $90,000         $2100
  
 For families larger than 2:
 Family size 3+ Additional $300 off     
 Family size 4+ Additional $600 off 
 Family size 5+ Additional $900 off
 Family size 6+ Additional $1200 off
  
Q: How do you verify my eligibility for an Education Without Walls scholarship?
A: We check with students’ school to confirm qualification, review documentation of other resources received by the family or financial records. 

Q: What does Education Without Walls cover?
A: The Education Without Walls program includes the cost of weekly mentorship throughout the school year, participation in five outings (including multi day backpacking trips), all of your outdoor recreation gear needed to participate in the outings, transportation (as needed) and meals for the expedition.

Q: Do I have to participate in both the mentorship and the outings?
A: Yes. Full participation is required of all participants. 

Q: Do I need to be a certain age to participate in Education Without Walls?
A: Yes —all students interested in enrolling in Education Without Walls must be 13 years of age or older.

Q: How do I register?
A: You can register for Education Without Walls by calling our office at (910) 515-9175 or you can inquire about registering by using the Contact Form on our website. Once we connect with you and verify that you qualify for participating, we quickly schedule a New Student Interview. 

Q: What does the mentorship look like within the content of Education Without Walls?
A: Education Without Walls’ mentorship is focused on helping students identify and achieve academic and personal goals and objectives. Together — with the student and their family — we decide the details of the mentoring sessions. The mentoring sessions themselves feature a rich and intentional mix of support and guidance for school homework assignments, as well as help with developing personal insight, communication, and decision-making skills.  

Q: Where do Education Without Walls mentoring sessions take place?
A: Mentoring occurs at our office, the students’ schools or if the opportunity presents itself, within students’ home, or in a public access space within the local community. 

Q: Do Education Without Walls mentors offer anything besides academic support?
A: Education Without Walls’ mentors also chaperone during the outings that may include beach clean-up, day hikes, and freebee golf, for example.

Q: Who are Education Without Walls’ mentors?
A: Education Without Walls mentors are typically college and university students who are currently matriculated in a Social Work or Education degreed program. Sometime, members of the community — people with similar college degrees who are either working or retired professionals — will serve as mentors. Before being hired, all Education Without Walls mentors are fully screened — including being required to submit information for an independent criminal background check.

Q: What is Education Without Walls’ summer expedition like?
A: The Education Without Walls summer expedition is a multi-day wilderness-based adventure that includes elements of backpacking, rock climbing, canoeing, or surfing. While participating, students acquire technical outdoor skills, and continue to develop personal insight, communication, and decision-making skills.  

Q: Who leads Education Without Walls’ summer expedition?
A: Education Without Walls partners with The National Center for Outdoor & Adventure Education (NCOAE) to guide backcountry expeditions that meet our organization’s exacting needs. NCOAE is a values-based outdoor adventure and education provider for teens and adults interested in personal growth and professional development. NCOAE is accredited by the Association of Experiential Education.

Q: Do students return to participate in Education Without Walls year after year?
A: Yes! More than half of our students return after their first year, with some having logged over 80 days and nights in the backcountry from participating in outings.