Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Class Afloat Foundation

The Class Afloat Foundation is an independent charitable foundation created in 2012 by educators, parents and alumni whose lives were shaped by experiential learning. Operating as a registered charity in both Canada and the United States, it exists to make the life‑changing Class Afloat – West Island College International program more accessible through scholarships and financial aid.

The Foundation focuses on experiential education at sea as a way to deepen students’ understanding of the world, foster leadership and build responsible global citizenship. Its scholarships help offset tuition for a full school year aboard Class Afloat, transforming what might otherwise be an unattainable opportunity into a realistic option for motivated young people.

The Foundation awards scholarships to Canadian and international students who have applied to and been accepted by the Class Afloat school. Support is directed to students whose participation in the program is dependent on Foundation assistance. Scholarship amounts vary from smaller awards of around $1,000 up to roughly half of the tuition for a full academic year, with the number and size of awards determined annually by fundraising results.

By concentrating its resources on one intensive experiential program, the Foundation is able to provide meaningful financial support while maintaining clear, transparent criteria and a structured selection process.

All applicants must first complete the school’s own admission process before being considered for Foundation funding. Once accepted to Class Afloat, students submit a separate scholarship application that typically includes a detailed form, curriculum vitae and short essays on topics such as experiential learning, motivation, service and community leadership.

The Foundation evaluates candidates on both financial need and personal merit. Need is assessed through a confidential third‑party review by Apple Financial Services, which provides an objective financial profile directly to the Foundation. Merit‑based considerations include academic performance, leadership, commitment to volunteer service, physical vigor, resilience and alignment with the program’s values of global citizenship.

The Class Afloat Foundation operates at arm’s length from the school with respect to scholarship criteria, application assessment and award decisions. An adjudication committee meets regularly—typically bi‑weekly during the application cycle—to review completed files. All materials are submitted electronically, and personal information is handled in strict confidence.

Through this independent governance structure, the Foundation aims to ensure that scholarships are awarded fairly and consistently, balancing the goals of increasing access, recognizing excellence and supporting young people who want to learn from the world and make a positive difference.