BIPOC Scholarship Policy

In recognition of the leadership of Black, Indiginous 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 is not an adjudicated process; funds will be provided as they are available. If there are no funds available at the time of the request, the requester’s name will be added to a waitlist. Students who request a scholarship and who choose not to wait for a scholarship to register will receive a scholarship retroactively as funds are available, in the order in which the requests are received.

To request a CC1 scholarship: This is not an adjudicated process. Simply send us an email or short audio or video recording (2 or 3 minutes) requesting a scholarship, along with your desired course start date and anything else you would like us to know about you. Send your request to: info@somaticsexeducator.com

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, 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 – 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 seven 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 or have been for along time. 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 our 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!