Scholarships

Certification Scholarships

Our individual certifying scholarships are available for anyone ages 10+ who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Latinx, LGBTQIA+, Military Member, low income, living with a disability, and/or any other historically excluded group. We have two levels of scholarship available, and the amount of funding awarded is contingent upon need and availability. A recipient may apply for scholarships for any of the following courses: Open Water Scuba Diver, Advanced Scuba Diver, Drysuit Diver*, Enriched Air Nitrox, and/or any YES Camp. Although a recipient may apply for multiple scholarships sequentially, only one scholarship may be active at a time. For more information about each individual course, please visit our Course Offerings Page; for information about our camps, visit the Young Explorers Society (YES) Page.

To apply, please download and complete the Certification Scholarship Application. Email your completed application, along with a completed medical waiver, to mission@divecues.org (or to youngexplorers@divecues.org for YES programs). You must submit a completed medical waiver before receiving a scholarship. Scholarships awarded without a completed waiver on file are considered provisional pending medical clearance.

*Rental cost of drysuit not included

Non-Certification Scholarships

Our individual non-certifying scholarships are available for anyone ages 10+ who self-identify as Black, Indigenous, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Latinx, LGBTQIA+, Military Member, low income, living with a disability, and/or any other historically excluded group. We have two levels of scholarship available, and the amount of funding awarded is contingent upon need and availability. A recipient may apply for scholarships for any of the following: CUES Charters, Patch Classes, or any other activity offered by CUES. Applicants need to submit separate applications for each non-certifying event for which they are seeking scholarship assistance.

Charter recipients are selected via a lottery system. If you are selected, we will notify you of the charter spot available and your name will only be removed from the lottery if you participate. The charter lottery list will be cleared in the autumn at the end of each dive season. Charter recipients and applicants are welcome to reapply at the beginning of the next dive season.

To apply, please download and complete the Individual Non-Certification Scholarship Application. Email your completed application, along with a completed medical waiver, to mission@divecues.org, or youngexplorers@divecues.org for any YES programs. You must submit a completed medical waiver before receiving a scholarship. Scholarships awarded without a completed waiver on file are considered provisional pending medical clearance.

Group Scholarships

Our group scholarships are for groups of 4-12* individuals, ages 8+, who want to try scuba together! This 3hr package includes all the gear, pool time, and instruction needed to have a great time diving in a controlled underwater environment with our fantastic dive staff! Like our individual scholarships, these group scholarships are available for any groups whose members self-identify as Black, Indigenous, Asian American, Pacific Islander, Latinx, LGBTQIA+, Military Member, low income, living with a disability, and/or any other historically excluded group.

To apply, please download and complete the Group Scholarship Application. Email your completed application to mission@divecues.org. If a Group Scholarship is awarded, each member of the group will be required to submit a completed medical waiver prior to participation in your Try Scuba event.