We’ve redesigned our tuition to make WRFI programs more accessible.
Our Sliding-Scale model adjusts course tuition based on household income, reducing financial barriers while maintaining the full academic and field experience. We believe that everyone should be able to participate in experiential learning and have access to the natural world, especially those in communities who have been historically marginalized and excluded from outdoor spaces, experiential programs, and higher education. This model reflects a broader commitment to expanding access.
We are piloting this program for our 2026 Montana Afoot & Afloat course, and expect to adapt it across all courses for the 2027 field season.
The table below outlines estimated total cost of attendance based on household income:
| Household Annual Income | Course Tuition | Credit Cost* | Food Costs** | Gear Rental*** | Total Cost of Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Notes:
*Credit Cost is charged through the University of Montana at $175 per 3-credit course, with a total of 15 semester credits.
**Based on estimated $20/day cost for breakfast and lunch over 70 days. Dinner is included in tuition.
***Gear rental is optional; students may bring their own equipment.
Students participating through an existing cooperative agreement with their home institution (such as the National Student Exchange), where tuition is paid directly by the university, will be billed at the full tuition rate or a pre-negotiated institutional rate.
Yes. The sliding scale lowers baseline tuition, and additional scholarships and discounts are still available for students who apply and qualify.
You can learn more about our scholarships and discounts on our Financial Assistance page.
No. Tuition has no impact on admissions decisions. It is used solely to determine cost after acceptance.
We believe in trusting our incoming students to provide us with accurate information when choosing their tuition level. We will not ask for supporting documentation beyond what our normal application process already requires.
Our amazing community of supporters and donors! WRFI has worked hard to secure philanthropic funding and to shift away from relying solely on student tuition dollars to fund our operations. Our work is not done in this regard – we will continue to need support from our whole community – but we are thrilled to step into this chapter of accessibility for WRFI!
If you would like to help keep this program sustainable, please head to our Ways to Give page to learn more about supporting WRFI. As a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, your gift to WRFI is fully tax deductible!
The cost of higher education continues to rise. While we can’t change the broader system, we can change how we operate within it. WRFI believes the power of experiential education is paramount in addressing complex and nuanced social and environmental issues in the world today. We want to ensure access to programs like ours remain open and affordable to anyone who wants to be an engaged global citizen!