BIPOC Scholarship Policy

In recognition of the leadership of Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC) in creating counter-normative sexual culture, and of the impacts of sexualized violence that is targeted at BIPOC, the Institute for the Study of Somatic Sex Education (ISSSE) works together with the Somatic Sex Educators Association (SSEA) to contribute to the movements for economic justice.

The ISSSE commits to continued learning and allyship with BIPOC students in bringing more anti-racist and decolonial awareness and presence to the profession of somatic sex education. This includes welcoming ongoing input on how our current model of funding support is working for folks.

Scholarships for Core Course 1: Foundations of Somatic Sex Education

All self-identified BIPOC/racialized students who request a scholarship will receive 50% off the registration fee for CC1. Scholarships are given in the form of a coupon code. Coupons are valid for 3 months, after which time the funds are redistributed to the next requester.

This scholarship is intended to offset the impact of systemic racism on Black, Indigenous, and People of Color identified individuals’ access to education. We understand that “race” is a social construct with real-life impacts on people’s lives – and that racialization affects different people differently. Not all BIPOC individuals experience socioeconomic barriers to education because of racism; for example, those with a high level of access to class privilege or some (not all) mixed-race individuals whose only racialized ancestry dates back multiple generations.

Scholarships for Courses 2 through 5

All self-identified BIPOC/racialized students who request a scholarship for Courses 2 through 5 will receive a $500 USD scholarship for each course they are invited to register in.

To request a scholarship for courses 2 through 5: Please contact us via email to make your request: info@somaticsexeducator.com and our creative admin will be in touch to arrange the scholarship with you.

If this scholarship doesn’t meet their needs, current students are invited to book a conversation with their current faculty mentor to discuss options. The ISSSE is committed to working with each student to offer the support that can make continued participation in the program possible.

Questions about our BIPOC Scholarship Process can be directed to us at info@somaticsexeducator.com – Current BIPOC students may book a 30 minute call with the BIPOC Faculty Liaison Onika Henry or Adjunct Faculty Kai Cheng Thom to review the tuition, scholarships, and financial aid options.

About Our Team

It feels important to us to tell you a bit about ourselves in relation to who we are financially so we can be in this money stuff together. We are a small gaggle of nine humans – trying to negotiate and survive late state capitalism.

Some of us on the team are homeowners, some of us are renters. Some of us are single parents. Some of us have mental health challenges that impact our ability to work. Some of us have chronic pain and health conditions that impact our ability to work. Some of us are BIPOC. Some of us have care responsibilities for our siblings, parents and other elders in our communities. Many of us are survivors of sexualized and gender based violence. Some of us are transgender & genderqueer. Most of us are queer.

Our intention in sharing this is not to negate our commitment to financial access, but to bring in transparency and authenticity about our social location(s) as a group.

At present, the SSEA’s model is to fundraise to make financial support available to people who identify as BIPOC in attending the program. ISSSE applies monies from program income as well as working with SSEA to do additional fundraising, in ways they determine will support best the needs of their BIPOC students.

SSEA and the ISSSE commit to continued learning and allyship with BIPOC students in bringing more anti-racist, decolonial awareness and presence to the profession of somatic sex education.

ISSSE works with each student to offer the support that can make participation in the program possible. This includes welcoming ongoing input and yearly evaluation of how our current model of funding support is working for folks. 100% of all funds raised go directly to program costs for BIPOC students. Your contributions are greatly appreciated!