Vermont Grant Helps Student Pursue Calling By Wendy Reese
I resisted doing my advanced yoga teacher training. I have always said that yoga chose me, not the other way around. While I have received many compliments over the years about my teaching style, I have struggled to embrace being a yoga teacher for 13 years. Life has a funny way to redirecting us to our purpose regardless of how strongly we resist.
![Funding for Yoga Teacher Training](https://somayogainstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Funding-for-Yoga-Teacher-Training-300x177.webp)
The Call to Advanced Yoga Training
The call to step up and pursue my advanced certification was about as subtle as running into a brick wall. I don’t know if I will ever forget sitting on a beach with a friend, discussing A Course In Miracles, looking up at a hawk soaring overhead when I heard it. I wish I could remember what my friend was saying at the time, but I can’t. What I do remember vividly was knowing I had to do this certification. But doing so without a scholarship for yoga teacher training seemed impossible for me at that time.
I began to research 300 hour YTT’s. In Vermont there are at least 4 that I could find and, of course, Kripalu was nearby. All were a significant financial investment. A few were also such a long drive that housing would be required.
![How to pay for yoga trainings and retreats](https://somayogainstitute.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/How-to-pay-for-yoga-trainings-and-retreats-300x195.webp)
Paying for Advanced Yoga Teacher Training
Since moving to Vermont 2 years ago, my business has struggled. Money has been tight. I had to find an alternative to actually follow through with this calling. I began looking into scholarships for yoga teacher training. A friend told me about a grant called VSAC through the State of Vermont for non-degree courses that would improve employability. Applicants may receive this grant for up to two enrollment terms per financial aid year (July 1-June 30) and a total of six terms of Non-Degree grants in a lifetime.
The institution must be eligible and approved. A few of the YTT’s were, however, Soma Yoga Institute was not. I reached out to Liz and asked her about it. I applied for the grant. VSAC provided enrollment papers for Liz. Both of us were accepted- she for the school and myself for a scholarship for yoga teacher training! 2/3 of my tuition was covered. I still had to pay for books and the remaining tuition, but that was far more feasible than the full burden of tuition.
This is a brilliant way for Vermont residents interested in doing a yoga teacher training to be able to afford it.