Scholarship Information
One of our core values is accessibility and this manifests in different ways. We are in a continual process of humbly learning and evolving to best serve as a spiritual home for retreatants of all backgrounds. At present, we are not ADA compliant. The center was carved out of the side of the mountain 40 years ago. Several of our stairways are literally rocks protruding from the mountain.
Southern Dharma was founded offering and continues to offer affordable retreats. Even so the cost of retreat is not affordable to many. For those in need, we provide scholarship and fellowship opportunities.
Need-Based Scholarships
Thanks to the generosity of friends and donors, Southern Dharma offers work-exchange scholarships to people unable to attend retreats without financial assistance. Applicants may request consideration for one work-exchange scholarship per calendar year.
Work-Exchange Scholarship recipients commit to arriving early on the first day of retreat to help with set up, working two hours daily during retreats, and staying on the last day to help with closing procedures, in exchange for reduced registration fees.
To request consideration for a Work-Exchange Scholarship, please register for the retreat of your choice through our website and select the scholarship option in the drop-down payment area of the registration form. After you register, we will email you a scholarship application form for completion and return.
Southern Dharma will reserve space in the retreat of your choice for a period of one week pending completion and return of your scholarship application. We will notify you of the amount of your scholarship award by email after we review your application. At the time of notification, you will be given the opportunity to accept or decline the award offer.
Hemera Contemplative Fellowships
The Hemera Contemplative Fellowship Program was created to make the unique benefits of a sitting contemplative practice in a retreat context more widely available. Fellowships are available to anyone with a commitment of service – a deep desire to devote oneself to serving others through their work.
Eligible applicants must be 18 years of age or older and working full-time in their profession.
• Those who are new to meditation, have never attended a retreat longer than two nights or are new to this center are eligible for 75% support.
• Those with previous meditation retreat experience are eligible for 50% support.
• Those in financial need are eligible for 100% support.
• Financial support is limited to one fellowship per individual per calendar year.
• Fellowships are available on a first-come, first-served basis based on eligibility.
Fellowship awards may be applied to retreat registration fees, but not to teacher dana, travel expenses, or voluntary contributions to the retreat center.
To request consideration for a Hemera Fellowship at Southern Dharma, please register for a retreat through our website and select the fellowship option in the drop-down payment area of the online registration form. If funding is available at the time you register, a link will be provided to connect you with Hemera’s online application site. Please note that Hemera charges a $5.00 application fee.
Southern Dharma will reserve space in the retreat of your choice for a period of one week pending submission of your fellowship application through the Hemera site. We will notify you of the amount of your fellowship award by email after we review your application. At the time of notification, you will be given the opportunity to accept or decline the award offer.