Tuition & Financial Aid

Since its founding, Tivnu has succeeded in making its gap year program accessible to young adults of all economic backgrounds. Over 40% of past participants have received some financial assistance. Please do not let the cost of the program keep you from applying — see information about financial aid below.

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Tuition & What's Included

$40,400 for applications received by March 1, 2026
$42,400 for applications received by May 1, 2026

Tuition covers:

Housing and utilities
Food
Supplies for internships
Educational sessions, field learning, activities, excursions, and trips
Transportation to and from the worksites and all Tivnu programs
Dedicated staffing, including consistent support and one-on-one mentoring

The Tivnu gap year now includes a 12-day service learning trip to Nayarit, Mexico. During this immersive experience, participants live and work on a vibrant organic farm and community learning center, deepening their understanding of sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, and global justice. The trip also includes cultural and educational exploration, with activities such as snorkeling, visiting ancient petroglyphs, and learning firsthand about local environmental and social justice initiatives.

Tuition does not cover transportation to and from Portland, Oregon, or Mexico (participants will fly into Puerto Vallarta), nor does it cover incidental living expenses such as entertainment, personal items, or independent travel.

While tuition represents a significant portion of the cost of supporting each participant, the remainder is made possible through the generous support of donors who believe deeply in Tivnu’s mission.

Financial Aid

Tivnu continues its commitment to making its gap year accessible to young adults of all economic backgrounds. Please contact Steve Eisenbach-Budner at Steve@Tivnu.org or 503-673-3644 with any questions about the affordability of the program for your family. Financial aid applications are due at the same time as program applications and priority consideration for tuition assistance will be given to earlier applicants. The financial aid application is located at the School and Student Services family portal; please use the school code 201518. For assistance with the financial aid application steps, please call the National Association of Independent Schools at 1-800-344-8328; their customer support is outstanding.

We are deeply appreciative of the Zidell Family Foundation, which generously supports our scholarship program.

Refer a friend discount: If you tell a friend about Tivnu and both of you are accepted and enrolled in the program, each of you will get a $500 discount off the program price.