Apprenticeship Costs and Financial Aid

The 2-year apprenticeship program is essentially the equivalent of a Masters Degree, which ordinarily costs between 30,000 and 120,000 USD!  While our program is not nearly as costly, we recognize that the apprenticeship is an investment in yourself and the future healer you will become.  In this apprenticeship program, you will gain mystical and practical knowledge as well as shamanic healing skills, of course, but you will also undergo an inner transformation that will shape who you are as a person and as a healer.  We recognize the value of these benefits.  At the same time, we understand that costs can be challenging, so we offer a Deferred Payment Plan (based on financial need) to make this program affordable for you.   

***FINANCIAL AID AND MONTHLY PAYMENT CALCULATORS BELOW!!!***

Apprenticeship Costs

With the exception of lodging fees which must be paid in full prior to the event, all costs below may be paid through the Deferred Payment Plan, meaning that you may pay one fixed-rate monthly payment (based on income level) no matter what services you have that month.  So, whether you have 4 shamanic healing sessions and 8 classes, or 6 shamanic healing sessions and 6 classes, you'd just make your fixed monthly payment without change to that rate.  You'd simply continue to make those monthly payments until all fees are paid in full.  

Program Flexibility and Costs
We want your apprenticeship to be individualized to your needs and to the needs of your apprenticeship group.  You and your group will be making choices along the way to shape the design of your apprenticeship program; thus, costs will be variable.   You can, for example, decide to add a day to your retreat, add a class, observe more live demonstrations, or have a private supervision session.  Additionally, your shamanic healing sessions may increase or decrease in frequency depending upon your need.    

Although costs are variable given this flexibility, you'll find a list of costs for each service below as well as an average overall cost per year for those services.  This average can only be an estimate as costs change based on your choices and the choices of your group. ​

Bi-Annual Retreats
TUITION: 
     200 per FULL day (3-4 days)*
     = 600 to 800 biannually

Average Retreat Tuition Cost for 1st Year: 1,400
Average Retreat Tuition Cost for 2nd Year: 1,600

NOTE: Tuition costs for retreats can be applied to your deferred payment plan, so you do not have to pay for the retreat prior to the event.  You would simply pay your first monthly payment amount.  
​
*You do NOT pay tuition for arrival and departure days even if there are retreat activities on those days.

LODGING:
Lodging is 125 per night of each retreat.  

1st Retreat example:
Check in - Thursday
Check out - Monday
4 nights x 125 = 500

2nd, 3rd, 4th Retreats example:
Check in - Wednesday
Check out - Monday
5 nights x 125 = 625 

Average Retreat Lodging Costs for 1st Year: 1,125
Average Retreat Lodging Costs for 2nd Year: 1,250

****NOTE: Lodging fees must be paid in advance of your retreat and are NOT part of the deferred payment program.*****  

FOOD:
We bring our own food to retreats.  

Classes Between Retreats
2-hour Classes (Academic and Practicum) - 50 each 

​Average Number of  Classes per Year: 50 - 80
      Total Average Cost per Year - 2,500 - 4,000

 Individual Shamanic Healing Sessions
As part of the apprenticeship program, you are required to enter into an on-going shamanic healing process, structured much like psychotherapy with sessions usually occurring once a week.  Sessions last 1.5 hours.  

Apprenticeship Discount for all Apprentices: 
180 (ordinary cost of session) - 20 (discount) = 160 per session

Average Number of Sessions for First Year: 30
Total Average Cost for Sessions for First Year:  4,800

Average Number of Sessions for Second Year:  20
Total Average Cost for Sessions for Second Year: 3,200 

Vision Quest 
Includes:
Preparations Classes prior to the 6-day quest
​Medicine Walk Discussion Class prior to the quest
6-day Quest (1 day preparation, 4 days in wilderness, 1 day of integration and ceremony - all for 1,295

Financial Aid

Deferred Payment Plan (based on financial need)
Rather than a monthly payment based on accrued charges, we offer financial aid which allows you to defer some of that payment, (based on household income and dependents), and simply pay a fixed monthly fee until all program costs are paid in full.  This is the equivalent of an interest-free student loan.  

As flexibility is designed into the apprenticeship program with the apprentice making continuous choices about individual needs, services and tuition may fluctuate; therefore, while the monthly payment amount will remain fixed, the number of months for payment may increase or decrease, depending upon the number and type of services rendered.  Participants whose financial situation changes during the apprenticeship must report changes to income level so that the monthly fee may be reassessed according to the new income level.  Proof of income must be provided in order to choose this option.  (Lodging fees for retreats are NOT included in this plan and must be paid in full prior to attending the retreat).  

​To get an estimate of your monthly payment plan, you can fill in your information and use the calculators below, which are loosely based on the income-driven repayment system of the US federal government.  ​

Financial Aid Calculator

income-based financial aid Calculator

To determine your eligibility for the Deferred Payment Plan, please complete the information below.  
(NOTE: the Institute does not have access to or store any information provided). 

***Total household income includes the gross annual income (before taxes) for ALL wage earners in the household***  

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Your Estimated Monthly Payment on the Deferred Payment Schedule:

With this Monthly Payment, you would be making payments for a period of:

If you have any questions about financial aid, please contact the Institute and we'll be glad to assist!