Financial Aid

 Birthwise applicants can apply for financial aid in three possible ways:

Title IV Funds- Students at Birthwise are eligible to apply for Title IV funds. This allows qualifying students to obtain Federal Stafford Loans and Pell Grants. Assessing financial aid eligibility starts with filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form which is available at Birthwise, high school or college financial aid offices, or can be completed online. The FAFSA becomes available in December and should be filed before May for best results. The school?s Title IV code is: 036123. You will be notified of your award.

Birthwise Diversity in Midwifery Scholarship- Up to two applicants per cohort can be awarded a tuition scholarship that will cover 30% of their tuition throughout the Birthwise program. For details on this scholarship, see the description that follows.

Work-study- Limited work-study positions are available at Birthwise. Work/study students will be chosen based on need, location and order in which the request was received.

Birthwise may provide a financial aid package to eligible students. In order to receive aid, students must file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In addition, these students may complete the Diversity in Midwifery Scholarship if appropriate. Once Birthwise has received notice of your Title IV award (FAFSA), we will review your application and present you with your Award Letter which will include the Federal loans and grants you are eligible for, and any Diversity in Midwifery Scholarship you may have been awarded.

In the past, some students have obtained commercial bank loans, or small grants or scholarships from foundations or organizations.

Diversity in Midwifery Scholarship

Up to two applicants may be awarded a scholarship annually that will cover 30% of tuition throughout the Birthwise program.

Who are these scholarships for? 

Recipients of this scholarship will be chosen using the following criteria:

    a. She must be a member of a distinct ethnic/religious/ cultural community inside or outside the United States that desires to incorporate respectful birthing practices into their community. She must demonstrate that the community she is a part of is in need of the  services she will provide as a midwife.

    b. She makes a commitment to Birthwise and to her community to return to her community to work as a midwife and help improve conditions for birthing women and their families when her training is completed.

    c. She can demonstrate clear financial need.

    d. She has proven to be or has potential to be a leader in her community.

    e. Her philosophy of birth and midwifery is compatible with Birthwise.

    f. She meets all the admission requirements as outlined in the Birthwise catalog.

    g. She must have proficiency in the English language.

How does the selection process work?

    a. Any interested applicants should apply on the standard application form provided by Birthwise, including the required essay and references.

    b. In addition to the above, the applicant will submit an essay where the following  components are addressed:

        - Describe the community you live in and the need you see for midwifery care there.

        - Describe your vision and/or goals for yourself in your community if you were to  become a midwife there.

        - Tell us why you in particular would be the person to bring midwifery to your  community.

        - Explain why you need financial assistance to achieve your goal of becoming a midwife.

    c. In addition to the required references for the application, the applicant must submit a letter of recommendation from at least one leader in her community who can speak to her abilities and the support she would have from her community during and after her training at Birthwise.

    d. An interview will be conducted by phone or in person as the final step of the selection process.

What does this scholarship include?

This scholarship pays for 30% of tuition for the entire program.

What doesn?t this scholarship include?

The student to whom this scholarship is awarded will be responsible for 70% of all tuition costs each semester of the program, all material fees (currently $10.00 per credit hour taken), book costs (approximately $1200 total), equipment costs, travel and living expenses while in the program.

What are the responsibilities of the student once the scholarship is awarded?

The student will be held to all policies and standards expected of all Birthwise students.  The student must maintain satisfactory academic progress as outlined in the Birthwise Policies in order to continue to receive the scholarship in future semesters.  The student must agree to return to her community of need upon graduation from Birthwise to work as a midwife for a minimum of two yeas and to document this work for the two year period post graduation.