Scholarships

All scholarship opportunities listed here are available only to degree program applicants, with the exception of the Scholarship for the Certificate Program in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy and the CIIS Public Programs Future Leaders Scholarships for the Climate Psychology and Sex Therapy certificates.

Scholarship Descriptions

Angeles Arrien

Eligibility Requirements: One new incoming student and one returning student [will be a renewal of last year's new student if they remain in good standing] among students who must demonstrate a commitment to one of the four areas specified below Anthropology and Social Change students receive first priority, but if none qualify, then any student from any program is eligible. Second-year students are eligible for a renewal scholarship upon successful completion of the first-year project.
Application Period: May 1 - June 30

Application Form PDF

In honor of Angeles Arrien, who founded CIIS' Anthropology program, a scholarship of $2,500 is awarded annually to new students who demonstrate a commitment to working in areas of preservation of cultural heritage, multicultural bridging and collaborative efforts, elder support, and youth support. Students in the Anthropology and Social Change Program are given priority in awarding this scholarship. Renewable for a second year depending on satisfactory academic progress. 

Asia Cummings Endowed Memorial Scholarships 

Eligibility Requirements: Undergraduate student
No Application Required.

Through donations from the Ernest Christian Klipstein Foundation and other donors, each year two students in the School of Undergraduate Studies Bachelor of Arts completion program will receive a $2,500 scholarship.

Auen Foundation Scholarships

Eligibility Requirements: Second- and third year Community Mental Health students committed to two semesters of community service
Application Period: August 1 - September 15

Application Form PDF

Three scholarships of $2,500 each will be provided to second- and third-year Community Mental Health students who commit to two semesters of community service. 

CIIS Faculty and Staff Scholarships 

Eligibility Requirements: One student from each school: Undergraduate Studies, Professional Psychology and Health, and Consciousness and Transformation. based on Financial need
No Application Required.

Each year one student from three of CIIS' schools — the School of Professional Psychology and Health, the School of Consciousness and Transformation, and the School of Undergraduate Studies — is awarded a scholarship of $1,000 supported by the annual donations of CIIS faculty and staff.

Drama Therapy Merit Scholarships 

Eligibility Requirements: M.A. in Counseling Psychology concentration in Drama Therapy students
No Application Required.

The M.A. in Counseling Psychology concentration in Drama Therapy offers a limited number of two-year Merit Scholarships based on the following criteria: 

• Outstanding preparation for the program
• Excellence in undergraduate and/or prior graduate work
• Relevant work experience or special projects
• Notable promise in terms of potential future contribution to the field of drama therapy. application essays
• GPA
• Letters of recommendation
• Interviews 
• Applicants who, in addition to the above criteria, are relocating from a geographical distance that adds to their moving expenses, have strong financial need, and add to the diversity of our program
• Full-time status and maintenance of good academic standing (required)

Haridas Bina Chaudhuri Endowed Memorial Scholarships 

Eligibility Requirements: Preferably a student from India (Indian national) with financial need. If no Indian student is available to be a recipient, then any student in good standing.
No Application Required.

In honor of CIIS' founders, Haridas and Bina Chaudhuri, up to three $1,000 scholarships are awarded to students from India each year. 

Inaugural Scholarship Awarded Scholarship

Eligibility Requirements: All newly admitted full-time students in good standing
No Application Required.

All newly admitted students in a new degree-granting program are considered for the CIIS Inaugural Scholarship. $2,500 will be awarded each semester for the entirety of the program if these requirements mentioned are met: 

• Students must be fully admitted and enrolled full time 
• Students must remain in good academic standing throughout the program

A separate institutional application is not needed for this scholarship.

Institutional Scholarships

Eligibility Requirements: All newly admitted students

CIIS is a university focused on supporting and maintaining its Seven Commitments. The University, guided by these principles, is offering five Trustee Scholarships of $12,500, ten Presidential Scholarships of $10,000 and thirty Mirra Alfassa “The Mother” Scholarships of $5,000 for the 2025-2026 academic year.

In line with our institutional mission of embracing traditions that enhance social and political liberation, these scholarships are intended to support academic excellence and the recruitment of an academically successful, diverse, and transformational student body. 

There are three sets of application materials that need to be submitted to be considered: 

1. Complete admissions application for one of our degree programs, where all application requirements have been met. 
2. Scholarship application.
3. Financial aid application in the form of a FAFSA application for domestic students, or an international student aid application for non-US citizens.

For questions about the Institutional Scholarships, please reach out to the Admissions Office at admissions@ciis.edu.

Joseph L. Subbiondo Scholarships 

Eligibility Requirements: Doctoral candidate researching themes related to CIIS founding mission, including integral studies, East-West comparative studies, peace studies, and evolution of consciousness
Application Period: May 15 – June 30

In honor of former CIIS President, Joseph L. Subbiondo, two scholarships of $2,500 each will be awarded to CIIS doctoral candidates  with financial need. These scholarships will be awarded in the fall. Applicants must attach a 2-3 page essay on the ways in which their approved dissertation proposal expresses an integral worldview. Applicants must attach the essay to their financial aid application and also submit their essay to Jacob Sherman, Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness Chair (jsherman@ciis.edu), Lilly Falconer, Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness Program Manager (lfalconer@ciis.edu); and Shaun Roberts, Director of Annual Giving (sroberts1@ciis.edu). 

Laurance S. Rockefeller Memorial Scholarships 

Eligibility Requirements: Financial need
No Application Required.

The late Laurance S. Rockefeller remains CIIS' single largest benefactor and he is the namesake for CIIS's library. Two scholarships of $2,500 each are awarded in his honor annually. 

Michael Gityjoon Hebel Scholarships

Eligibility Requirements: Financial need
No Application Required.

Students with financial need enrolled in the Master of Arts in Asian Contemplative and Transcultural Studies.

Opportunity Scholarship 

Eligibility Requirements: Newly admitted full-time students based on the EFC from the student's ISIR, scholarship matrix is used to determine the amount to award based on ISIR EFC.
No Application Required.

All newly admitted students are considered for the CIIS Opportunity Scholarships, which range from $500 to $3,000. A separate institutional application is not needed for this scholarship. Opportunity Scholarships are on a first-come-first-serve basis. Complete a FAFSA application as soon as possible. You must be fully admitted and enrolled full time. International students do not need to complete a FAFSA application; please complete the International Student Scholarship Application form and return it to the Financial Aid Office at finaid@ciis.edu. 

Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness Scholarships 

Eligibility Requirements: Newly admitted and current Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness students with financial need
Application Period: May 15 – June 30

Through the generosity of Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness faculty, students, and alumni, the program offers three scholarships of $5,000 each and are awarded in fall. Newly admitted and current Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness students with financial need are eligible to apply. Applicants must attach a 2-3 page essay on one’s alignment with the mission of the Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness program to their Financial Aid application. The essay must also be sent to Jacob Sherman, Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness Chair (jsherman@ciis.edu), Lilly Falconer, Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness Program Manager (lfalconer@ciis.edu); and Shaun Roberts, Director of Annual Giving (sroberts1@ciis.edu). 

Richard G. Meech Anima Mundi Scholarship

Eligibility Requirements: Resident or online M.A. or Ph.D. student in Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness with preference for mid-career and/or Canadian students, but all qualified applicants will be considered. Applicants must demonstrate a resonance with Richard Meech’s core values described below. The scholarship may be renewed for subsequent years.
Application Period: April 1 - May 31

Application Form PDF

One scholarship of $10,000 will be awarded annually to one qualified applicant, either resident or online, enrolled in the M.A. or Ph.D. program in  Philosophy, Cosmology, and Consciousness. Priority will be given to candidates who are applying in the mid-or late-career phase of their lives. Scholarship applicants must demonstrate a resonance with core values central to Richard Meech’s values, including ecological and planetary spirituality, indigenous wisdom, integral ecology, plant medicine, and the importance of the sacred. While priority will be given to Canadian and mid-career applicants, all applicants will be considered. This scholarship may be renewed at CIIS’ discretion. Applicants are encouraged to read The Journey of Richard G. Meech. 

Robert Joseph and Wilhelmina Ann Kranzke Research Scholarships 

Eligibility Requirements: Ph.D. Student researching psychedelic/entheogenic plants or substances in the form of a doctoral dissertation
Application Period: Rolling

Application Form PDF

The Robert Joseph and Wilhelmina Ann Kranzke Research Scholarships provide up to $5,000 per annum to doctoral students engaged in scholarly research on psychedelic or entheogenic plants and substances. Eligibility for this award is contingent upon the applicant being a registered doctoral student at CIIS, maintaining exemplary academic standing, having completed a minimum of one semester of full-time academic work, and having at least one remaining year in their doctoral program. The application process, with deadlines on June 15 for fall awards and January 15 for spring awards, requires submission of a comprehensive dissertation proposal, encompassing 15 to 25 pages, alongside a recommendation from the student's dissertation chairperson and requisite approval documents. This scholarship is instrumental in promoting a diverse range of research studies, encompassing disciplines such as psychology, historical analysis, ethnographic studies, and spiritual practices. Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the application guidelines and submit their signed application and all required documents to amontuori@ciis.edu. 

Robert Matta Scholarships 

Eligibility Requirements: Undergraduate student
No Application Required.

These scholarships are available to master's students in the M.A. in Counseling Psychology concentration in Integral Counseling Psychology and Ph.D. students in East-West Psychology.

Samuel Benjamin Hanser Endowed Memorial Scholarships 

Eligibility Requirements: Students in The M.A. in Counseling Psychology concentration in Somatic Psychology with financial need
No Application Required.

In memory of CIIS Somatic Psychology student Samuel B. Hanser, the Samuel B. Hanser Memorial Trust supports one annual $2,000 scholarship for a Somatic Psychology M.A. student.

Shirley Strong Scholarship

Eligibility Requirements: Trainee accepted into the Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research Certificate program

Submit a scholarship letter as part of their certificate program application.

The Shirley Strong Scholarship Fund awards one $7,500 tuition scholarship annually to a trainee accepted into the Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research Certificate. Selection prioritizes financial need and a commitment to serving under-resourced communities. Preference will be given to students who are able and prepared to attend program cohort weekends in person. An additional $1,000 scholarship may be available to the recipient for travel, books, childcare, or other expenses. All Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research Certificate applicants are considered for this scholarship if they submit a scholarship letter as part of their application.

Contact Us

Please contact our Financial Aid Office at finaid@ciis.edu with questions about scholarships and their availability for this year.

If you are interested in supporting CIIS students with a donation to our scholarship fund, please visit our giving page or contact give@ciis.edu.