Scholarships

New Students

All newly admitted students are considered for the CIIS Opportunity Scholarship. There is no separate application for this scholarship. Awards are determined primarily on financial need, so you are strongly encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Quick facts/guidelines: Opportunity Scholarship

• Opportunity Scholarships are on a first-come first-serve basis
• Complete the most current FAFSA as soon as possible
• You must be fully admitted
• You must be enrolled full time
• Scholarships are for two years: fall and spring semesters only
• If you change programs, you will retain your existing scholarship for the duration of the remaining two years
• International students do not need to complete a FAFSA

The Opportunity Scholarship is funded from donations, gifts and endowments to the Institute. CIIS Development Office will be contacting recipients of these donors-sponsored scholarships who we would like to thank:

For New Undergraduate Students

Bachelor of Arts Completion Scholarship

There are $15,000 scholarships available for new students entering the Bachelor of Arts Completion Program as of 2011-12 academic year.

This scholarship is specifically for any student who meets the following criteria:

• Complete the most current version of FAFSA (2011-12)
• Submit a complete admission application by the October 15th priority deadline.
• Write a one-page addendum answering the following question:

"What communities are you connected to and how do you see your education enhancing the ways in which you work with an in those communities?"

Note: This essay should be included with your application packet and all criteria met by October 15th.

National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
Faculty members of the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine institutes who are also pursuing a doctoral degree in CIIS, may receive $1,000 for half-time enrollment or $2,000 for full-time enrollment.

Continuing Students

All scholarships for continuing students require an application. Pay careful attention to the scholarship packet for required documentation.

For Doctoral and Masters Students

Annual Scholarship
All continuing students who have completed 15 or more units may apply for the Annual Institute Scholarship.  Some of these Annual Institute Scholarships are also supported by the special donor-initiated funds noted above. CIIS Development Office staff will be contacting recipients of donor-sponsored Annual Institute Scholarships about providing an acknowledgment to the donor[s].

Quick facts/guidelines: Annual Institute Scholarship

• Complete the scholarship application ONLINE (only) at https://finaid.ciis.edu
• Must have completed a minimum of 15 units by the application deadline
• Complete the most current FAFSA (international students are exempt from this requirement)
• Scholarship awards range from $500 to $2,000, per year
• Scholarships are for institutional tuition credit only, and are not a cash award.
• Students' personal information (address, phone, and email) may be released to donors/foundations funding the scholarship. If a student does not agree with the release of such information, it is the responsibility of the student to notify the Financial Aid Office that he/she is opting out
• If you do not use the scholarship funds within the semester, you forfeit the funds - you may not roll-over the remaining funds to the following semester
• Applications Opens June 01.  Deadline is July 1
• The online application is available each year on June 15

Additional CIIS research based scholarships are available to our students. This information will be available through logging into your MyCIIS account: Click on the Financial Aid tab, click on the Scholarships portal on the left.