The following is information about scholarships for the 2022-2023 academic year. If you have a question about the availability of a particular scholarship for this year, please contact the Financial Aid Office.
Opportunity Scholarship
For All New Students
All newly admitted students are considered for the CIIS Opportunity Scholarships, which range from $500 to $3,000. A separate institutional application is not needed for this scholarship.
International students wishing to apply for an Opportunity Scholarship should fill out this form and return it to the Financial Aid Office.
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 and enrolled full time
- International students do not need to complete a FAFSA - Please complete the International Student Scholarship Application form below.
Diversity Scholarship
CIIS is a university committed to diversity, inclusion, and advocating for social justice. The university, guided by these principles, is offering 5x $10,000 Diversity Scholarships and 40x $5,000 Diversity Scholarships for the academic year 2022-2023.
In line with our institutional mission of embracing traditions that enhance social and political liberation, these scholarships are intended to support the recruitment of a diverse student body, particularly students who are historically underrepresented in higher education.
For questions about the Diversity Scholarship, please reach out to the Admissions Office at admissions@ciis.edu.
Many of the scholarships listed below are funded by gifts from donors. The CIIS Development Office may contact you to write a letter of thanks for a donor-sponsored scholarship.
For all questions about your scholarship (both Opportunity and donor-funded), including changes in eligibility due to extenuating circumstances, please contact the Financial Aid Office.
Scholarships Requiring an Application
The following scholarships must be applied for through the Financial Aid Office. These scholarships have different opening and closing deadlines so please check dates below. Please refer to the web form below or click the link above to download the application instructions, requirements, and form for scholarships requiring an application.
Angeles Arrien Scholarships
In honor of Angeles Arrien who founded CIIS' Anthropology program, a scholarship of $2,500 is awarded annually to new students who demonstrate a commitment to working in areas of Preservation of Cultural Heritage, Multi-Cultural Bridging and Collaborative Efforts, Elder Support, and Youth Support. Students in the Anthropology and Social Change Program are given priority in awarding this scholarship. Renewable for a second year depending on satisfactory academic progress. Application period: May 1 - June 30.
Auen Foundation Scholarships
Three scholarships of $2,500 each will be provided to second and third year Community Mental Health students who commit to two semesters of community service. Application period: Aug. 1 - Sept. 15.
Cultural Integration Fellowship Integral Scholarships
Through the annual support of the Cultural Integration Fellowship, CIIS' long-time sister organization, two $2,500 scholarships are awarded to graduate students conducting approved integral yoga or yoga studies research. Application period: Aug. 1 - Sept. 15.
Joseph L. Subbiondo Scholarships
In honor of former CIIS President, Joseph L. Subbiondo, 2 scholarships of $2,500 each will be awarded to CIIS students at dissertation level (advanced to candidacy) with financial need. These scholarships will be awarded in the fall. Applicants must attach a 2-3 page essay on the ways in which their approved dissertation proposal expresses an Integral Worldview. Applicants must attach the essay to their Financial Aid application and also submit their essay to Jacob Sherman, PCC Chair (jsherman@ciis.edu), Lilly Falconer, PCC Program Manager (lfalconer@ciis.edu); and Charles Wilmoth, Associate Director of Development (cwilmoth@ciis.edu). Application period: July 1 – August 15.
Michael & Gityjoon Hebel Scholarships
Michael and Gityjoon Hebel Scholarships support students with financial need enrolled in the Asian Contemplative and Transcultural Studies (ACTS) program. There are six annual scholarships of $5,000 each. Interested students should send a statement of intent to Debashish Banerji, Ph.D. – Chair, East-West Psychology at dbanerji@ciis.edu. Please also send a copy of your statement of intent to Charles Wilmoth, Director of Advancement, at cwilmoth@ciis.edu and to the Financial Aid Office at scholarships@ciis.edu.
Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness Scholarships
Through the generosity of PCC faculty, students, and alumni, the PCC Program offers 3 scholarships of $5,000 each and are awarded in fall. Newly admitted and current PCC students with financial need are eligible to apply. Applicants must attach a 2-3 page essay on one’s alignment with the mission of PCC program to their Financial Aid application. The essay must also be sent to Jacob Sherman, PCC Chair (jsherman@ciis.edu), Lilly Falconer, PCC Program Manager (lfalconer@ciis.edu); and Charles Wilmoth, Associate Director of Development (cwilmoth@ciis.edu). Application period: July 1 – August 15.
Richard G. Meech Anima Mundi Scholarship
One scholarship of $10,000 will be awarded annually to one qualified applicant, either resident or online, to the MA or PhD program of the Philosophy, Cosmology Consciousness program. Priority will be given to candidates who are applying in the midcareer or late-career phase of their lives. Scholarship applicants must demonstrate a resonance with core values central to Richard Meech’s values, including ecological and planetary spirituality, indigenous wisdom, integral ecology, plant medicine and the importance of the sacred. While priority will be given to Canadian and mid-career applicants, all applicants will be considered. This scholarship may be renewed at CIIS’ discretion. Applicants are encouraged to read The Journey of Richard G. Meech which can be found at this link: https://www.ciis.edu/FinAid/FinAid%20Documents/FinAid%20PDFs/The%20Journey%20of%20Richard%20Meech.pdf. Application period: April 1 - May 31.
Rina Sircar Scholarship
The $3,000 Rina Sircar Scholarship award will pay for a class, independent study, research, attendance and/or presentation at a conference that focuses on contemplative practices and/or healing arts of Asian spiritual traditions. Only continuing students are eligible for this scholarship and students may receive this scholarship only once. Application period: Aug. 1 - Sept. 15.
Awarded Scholarships
The following scholarships are awarded annually through the recommendations of CIIS faculty in collaboration with the Financial Aid Office or solely by the Financial Aid Office based on the financial need of students.
Haridas & Bina Chaudhuri Endowed Memorial Scholarships
In honor of CIIS's founders, Haridas and Bina Chaudhuri, up to three $1,000 scholarships are awarded to students from India each year.
CIIS Faculty & Staff Scholarships
Each year one student from three of CIIS's schools — the School of Professional Psychology & Health, the School of Consciousness and Transformation, and the School of Undergraduate Studies — is awarded a scholarship supported by the annual donations of CIIS faculty and staff. Scholarships are for $1,000.
Asia Cummings Endowed Memorial Scholarships
Through donations from the Ernest Christian Klipstein Foundation and other donors, each year two students in the Bachelor of Arts Completion Program will receive a $2,500 scholarship.
Samuel Benjamin Hanser Endowed Memorial Scholarships
In memory of CIIS Somatic student Samuel B. Hanser, The Samuel B. Hanser Memorial Trust supports one $2,000 scholarship for a Somatic Psychology student annually.
Laurance S. Rockefeller Memorial Scholarships
The late Laurance S. Rockefeller remains CIIS's single largest benefactor and he is the namesake for CIIS's library. Two scholarships of $2,500 each are awarded in his honor annually.
