Educational Scholarships

Financial Assistance?

Need financial assistance to pursue your career ambitions with certification? Apply for a scholarship! Click below to find out more.

National Scholarships - Due October 31 each year

Regional Scholarships - Due December 15 & Feb 1 each year

Keystone High Achiever Scholarship - TBA

Financial Planning

What exactly does it take to become a Level 3 instructor in Rocky Mountain? A lot of work, and yes, a bit of money.

  • Membership Registration: $130 for July 1-June 30 (1 full year)

  • Level 1 Exam: $360 for 3 days on snow

  • E-Learning Course: Free, takes a couple hours

  • Children’s Specialist 1: $240 for 2 days on snow

  • Level 2 Prep Course: $115 for 1 day on snow

  • Pro Knowledge Written Exam: $20, less than an hour

  • Level 2 Exam: $630 for 3 days on snow ($210 each module)

  • Children’s Specialist 2: $420 for 2 days on snow

  • Level 3 Prep Course: $115 for for 1 day on snow

  • Pro Knowledge Written Exam: $20, less than an hour

  • Level 3 Exam: $720 for 3 days on snow ($240 each module)

  • Total $ = $2770 Total Time = 15 days plus Written Exams

Price of being a Level 3 Certified Instructor: Priceless! But certainly cheaper than a Bachelor’s Degree. On that note, Penn State is taking PSIA-AASI certification there within the next year! Also, the amount of money you will bring home…. Woo! Let’s go!

Reducing the “Gamble”

Gaining certification is highly rewarding and will amount to favorable economic outcomes for instructors, but can sometimes feel like a gamble upfront. While successful passes are reimbursed, candidates must still pay upfront for the event and train for a successful pass.

However, not all candidates are successful every time, and sometimes we just don’t have the money upfront. That’s okay. That’s why scholarships are available to help.

Note that many scholarships are for non-Vail Resorts employees. Our reimbursement program is a huge employee benefit that not all resorts can afford to pay, and so some funds are reserved to help them.

Prerequisites can also be costly and won’t be reimbursed until the Certification for which it’s being attended for. Scholarships for those can also soften the blow.

Scholarships are almost always for members only with a few exceptions so make sure you read requirements fully.