Tuition and Aid

Through generous scholarships and innovative financing options, we are committed to ensuring finances are never a barrier to learning.

Income Sharing | Tuition | Scholarships | Fellowships | Work Study | Crowdfunding

American Impact Fellowship

Watson Institute’s American Impact Fellowship fully covers the cost of attending Watson’s 4-month Semester Incubator program in Boulder, Colorado. The merit-based Fellowship is tailored for young innovators and social entrepreneurs based in the United States looking to launch social ventures tackling the greatest challenges facing the world.

Watson Institute awards one merit-based American Impact Fellowship per semester. To apply for the Fellowship, please select “yes” under the American Impact Fellowship question found in our Semester Incubator application. To qualify, you must be a resident or citizen of the United States.

Contact Jorge Méndez, Director of Search, at jorge@watson.is to learn more about the American Impact Fellowship.

Pave the Way Fund

Watson’s Pave the Way Fund pays for students’ tuition and housing in Boulder and tuition, housing, and 24/7 dining in South Florida. Once students graduate and begin earning a living wage, alumni share an affordable percentage of future earnings for a set number of months through what’s commonly known as an Income Share Agreement. Alumni contributions refuel the Pave the Way Fund which in turn provides the same opportunity to future scholars to attend Watson.

Watson believes entrepreneurial talent is universal, while opportunity is not. Therefore, The Pave the Way Fund is a new way of financing higher education which ensures Watson is radically accessible and alumni graduate without debt.

Here is how it works >

Scholars also have the option to pay tuition upfront instead of joining the Pave the Way Program.

Below is a table which demonstrates the percentage of future earnings shared and number of months of repayment for each program. Note: the tuition and income share amounts below are before merit and need based scholarships and work study are awarded. Scholarships and work study reduce the percentage of future earnings shared or tuition paid.

Currently, the Pave the Way Fund is only open to students from USA.

Bachelor of Science in Social Entrepreneurship:

Item Amount Future Earnings Shared Number of Months
Tuition per year $35,960 9.7% 96
Room and Board per year $12,170 3.3% 96
Additional Fees $2,250 0.6% 96

Semester Incubator:

Item                                            Amount Future Earnings Shared Number of Months
Tuition $12,000 8% 42
Housing $3,000 2% 42

Specific income sharing percentages may change slightly from semester to semester.

Minimum Salary: Income Share Agreements only start once alumni achieve a minimum salary of $20,000/year

Payment Cap: There is an upper cap of 2-2.5x on the amount alumni would pay back. If the cap is reached the agreement is over.

Extension: Agreements can be extended for up to 5 years whereby payments are not required if the minimum salary has not been reached or alumni are continuing their education. Once the number of months above plus the extension period have been reached, the agreement is over regardless of the amount paid back.

All scholars accepted to Watson Institute from the USA are automatically eligible for the Pave the Way Fund. Students also have the option to pay tuition upfront or take out private loans instead of the Pave the Way Program.

For students from all other countries:

Tuition is paid for each program at the rates indicated above. Merit and need-based scholarships and full ride fellowships are available for select candidates.

Note: We are working with philanthropic foundations and individuals to expand the Pave the Way program to additional countries in the future.

Here's what our alumni have to say about the Pave the Way Fund:

Tuition. Income Sharing. Scholarships. Fellowships. Work Study. Crowdfunding.

“I never would have attended Watson without the income sharing model because my family could not afford the upfront tuition. The most comforting part of the program was re-payment was tied to my income; I didn’t have to choose between education and healthy eating or owning a safe vehicle. The best part is: I felt Watson believed in me from the get-go. They trusted I would have the ability to repay the income sharing agreement, completely tying their financial success to my business success.”

-Patrick Mateer, Fall 2014 Watson Scholar and Founder of Seal the Seasons

“Watson’s income sharing model provided me the flexibility to optimize my early career decisions for impact, and not compensation. It allowed me to focus less on making loan payments, and more on deciding what path out of Watson is most aligned to my passions and desired impact. Baked into this model is accountability: if alumni aren’t successful, then neither is Watson.”

-Ryan Singh, Fall 2013 Watson Scholar and Associate Director of the Academy for Entrepreneurial Leadership at University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Tuition Breakdown

The Watson education is an extremely personalized experience – from weekly mentor meetings to tailored workshops, out of state travel, and one-on-ones with renowned entrepreneurs. We offer generous scholarships, fellowships and financing options to make Watson accessible to students from all economic backgrounds.

Boulder Semester Incubator
Tuition: $12,000
Housing: $3,000
Total: $15,000

Watson Institute at Lynn University

See Lynn University Tuition
Health Insurance: All students are required to have health insurance, which is offered at cost if the student does not already have insurance.
Other Expenses: Students should also budget for travel to and from Boca Raton or Boulder, transportation while enrolled, as well as entertainment costs.
Housing: Living on campus is mandatory.
Required Technology: Wireless internet is included in the residential fees, however, having a laptop is essential to your learning at Watson.

Scholarships

Watson offers generous scholarships for both merit and financial need.

Merit Scholarships: Watson selectively offers merit scholarships for scholars with exceptional track-records in the social impact space and demonstrated potential.

Need-Based Financial Aid: On top of awarded merit scholarships, Watson offers need-based financial aid for accepted applicants upon completion of our internal Financial Aid Application and accompanying documentation.

Fellowships

Watson offers five full-ride fellowships each semester that include full tuition and housing. All finalists will be invited to apply for these fellowships.

  • The Enlight China Fellowship: For applicants from greater China, including Taiwan and Hong Kong
  • The Enlight Women’s Fellowship: For applicants working to increase access and quality of education for women and girls
  • The Luff Peace Fellowship: For applicants working to promote peace globally
  • Lakota Fellowship: For Lakota youth applicants
  • Middle East Fellowship: For applicants from the Middle East or of Middle Eastern descent

Work Study

Watson selectively offers a work study program for exceptional Watson Semester Incubator students with financial need. Work Study Scholars work 10 hours per week with the Watson team while enrolled and are awarded a $2,500 scholarship per semester to go towards their tuition.

Crowdfunding

Admitted students have the option to fund their tuition through Watson’s crowdfunding platform to raise tuition from their networks of family, friends, and supporters.