Original Query from Noreen Frye, IRP, University of Miami.
I would like to know if any of the LLIs have a scholarship program for members who can not afford the annual dues. If so, I would like to learn about your guidelines and procedures as well as successes and difficulties. Thank you.

From Marion Renning, ALR, Saratoga Springs, NY
We offers two 1/2 scholarships. The applicant simply sends a private letter to our Director stating the circumstances that make them ask for help. The Executive Council then approves. It is all kept very confidential and we have never had any problems.

From Sara Craven, Duke LLI, Durham, NC
We offer scholarships at the Duke Lifelong Learning Institute. A person just has to ask the director; no explanation required, although most people want to explain why they need the help. We have some auxiliary funds that could be tapped for this purpose, but, in truth, the simplest thing to do is simply waive the fee. Of the 681 members we have this term, I would guess that perhaps 6 have asked for financial help.

From Silvine Hudson, Retirement Living at Vanderbilt, Nashville, TN
Retirement Learning at Vanderbilt uses the same system as Sara Craven describes. It seems to work for us, too.

From Sara Skaggs, Center for Learning in Retirement, Rock Valley College, Rockford, IL
Our policy tated on the inside cover of our bi-annual list of classes is the following: "Classes are available to all who wish to participate. If you need financial assistance, call the Center's office. All inquiries are confidential." We have 2000+ members with only one person requesting assistance. We waive fees if this request does come in. Our fees are not high, which might account for so few requests.

From Sarah Fletcher, Furman University LLI, Greenville, SC
At the Furman University Learning in Retirement (FULIR) program in Greenville, SC, we have a scholarship program that has worked well so far. We were able to raise about $40,000 in our first 5 years of operation that was put into an endowed account with the university. (We matched two different $10,000 gifts). The university gives us %4 of the principal each year to spend, and puts the rest back into the principal. That is the university-wide policy for the endowed accounts on campus for various groups. FULIR students who wish to have a scholarship may speak to me (the director) in confidence. No one gets 100% of their membership fee paid. Our committee setting up the policy felt that people would have more pride if they contributed something, however small, to the cost themselves. I simply ask them to tell me what they feel they can pay, and the scholarship covers the rest. Some of our classes have fees, (art supplies, etc.) but most do not. The scholarship money does not cover fees. No one except the secretary and me know who is on scholarship. People can re-apply each term if they wish. We have had a small number of requests each term (4-8 at the most), so we have never used up all our interest money each year. In general, people of this generation do not seem to want to ask for assistance unless it is truly necessary. We are very pleased to be able to offer scholarships, and keep promoting the fact that we have this money available. Hopefully, no one feels that they can't attend because they can't afford our fees.

From Dick Mooers, SOAR, SUNY Potsdam, NY
We considered scholarships, but then thought that with a year's membership fee of $50, why get into the hassle of the "who's more deserving" question.

From Carolynn Rafman, McGill LLI, Quebec
McGill LLI initiated a scholarship policy several years ago when we raised fees from $55 to $75 to members who found this increase difficult to absorb. later on, we began to "advertise" it in the calendar as follows: "Membership is not denied to those who cannot afford it. Applications for scholarships should be directed to the Registrar." Basically anyone who asks gets, out of 1200 registrations we have between 12 and 18 scholarship requests.