What We Do

The Scholarship Committee, a standing committee reporting to the Board of Directors, accepts and evaluates applications for scholarship aid by reviewing an on-line application supplemented by appropriate documentation including tax return, clinical summary and recommendations of educational consultants. Evaluation of candidates shall be made on a basis consistent with criteria approved by the Board from time to time.

How We Do It

We work directly with educational consultants to develop a partnership focusing on the best “next step” for your teen. Educational consultants are experienced professionals committed to transforming the lives of struggling teens. They work directly with teens, their families and their treating professionals to provide support before, during, and after placement. They tour programs to establish relationships with the clinical staff and to better understand their strengths and weaknesses. They share their expertise and make placement recommendations based on the needs of the teen and where they feel (s)he will have the highest likelihood for success.

Educational consultants are an intrinsic part of our process. Families interested in applying for a scholarship are required to work with an educational consultant. Many educational consultants will provide free intakes for needy families; all educational consultants who agree to work with SavingTeens provide free or low cost consulting (75% or more discount).

Scholarships

SavingTeens volunteers work with the recommended program to negotiate the best scholarship or discount for the family. In partnership with the program, SavingTeens establishes a payment plan for tuition that includes: program discount and/or scholarship, family contribution, and SavingTeens scholarship.

SavingTeens scholarship awards range from $10,000 – $30,000. The amount awarded is based on family need and available funding resources.

Access diagram scholarships parent contribution

Eligibility Criteria

If your teen is between the ages of 13 and 17, and you are interested in applying for a scholarship, please have your educational consultant contact Lisa Vella here:

EC Application Inquiry

Application Process

SavingTeens requires a referral from the family’s educational consultant to initiate the scholarship process.
The educational consultant agrees to accept the client for the duration of the process either pro bono or at sharply reduced rate (a discount of 75% or greater).
The Family must complete our financial screening survey to determine if they should proceed with the application process.
SavingTeens will score the financial survey and notify the family if they are approved to proceed with the application (approval to proceed with the application does not guarantee funding)
The Family must submit their prior year tax return, sign the release forms, and complete a background check.
Upon completion, the family will be invited to fill out a SavingTeens Scholarship Application (secure link)
The educational consultant submits a clinical summary that includes program recommendations, tuition costs, amount parent can contribute, and estimated length of stay.
Applications are reviewed by the Scholarship Committee on a rolling basis.
Educational consultants continue to work with the family to determine the most appropriate program(s) for the client.
Awards vary based on parental need, available funds, and/or program scholarships. The maximum award per family is $30,000.

Selection Process

Financial need (as determined by the application process)
Family must be able to contribute some funds to their child’s care.
Client must be at least 13 years old.
Family and client show commitment to therapeutic interventions, as assessed by educational consultant.
Full and timely submission of detailed documentation as needed.

For additional information: Selection Process Inquiry

Thomas E Bratter Fund

SavingTeens administers a scholarship fund separate from its general awards program, dedicated to provide need based scholarships at college preparatory therapeutic boarding schools in the United States.

The Thomas E. Bratter Fund is dedicated to Thomas Bratter, Founder of John Dewey Academy, and Gabrielle Meerbegen and Alex MacCreedy.

The purpose of the Bratter Fund is to provide substantial scholarship monies that, when combined with parent contribution and in-kind scholarship from the school, will enable families of more modest means to access quality help for their child.

Eligible schools are college preparatory therapeutic boarding schools for bright but troubled teens that meet the following criteria:
• Regional accreditation in good standing
• Minimum of 75% in-class teaching
• Minimum of 75% of high-school graduates attend quality four-year colleges

We encourage interested schools, families and educational consultants to contact us for more information.