BOSTON, April 30, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- For nearly 40 years, not-for-profit Road Scholar has been dedicated to making the enriching benefits of lifelong learning accessible to all older adults. From the organization's early days, it has made it possible for adults on limited incomes to experience its educational adventures through a generous financial aid program. As the nation's largest educational travel institution for adults and an organization at the forefront of the lifelong learning movement, Road Scholar believes that offering financial assistance honors its mission to inspire adults throughout society to learn, discover and travel. In all, thousands of participants have benefited from more than $7 million in scholarship funds provided throughout the years.
In 2015, Road Scholar identified another worthy constituency for financial assistance – individuals caring for a spouse or family member who requires full-time assistance. Caregivers do difficult work under sometimes challenging conditions and are seldom able to take time away to recharge and renew. Eager to expand its scholarship program to an even broader audience, Road Scholar has extended its financial assistance program to enable caregivers to apply for $250,000 in annual funds. This new grant will enable participants to offset the cost for respite for their family members in need.
The scholarship program has been renamed Impact Grants , and a new type of grant was created specifically for caregivers. In addition to the existing Enrichment Grants that are given to low- and middle-income lifelong learners to participate in an educational adventure, the new Caregiver Grants were created for adults who serve as caregivers for ill or disabled individuals.
"Thanks to the generous support of our donors, Road Scholar offers financial assistance to make our experiential learning programs accessible to low-income older adults and deserving caregivers," said James Moses, President and CEO of Road Scholar. "We expanded the scholarship program because we were so moved by the impact scholarships have on the lives of so many participants, who couldn't otherwise benefit from a Road Scholar experience. We believe the new Caregiver Grants will have a similar impact, and offer some respite from the emotional and physical demands inherent in caregiving."
Road Scholar is actively seeking applicants for both grant types and is reaching out to caregiver support groups, senior citizen centers and adult day services groups.
For more information, please visit www.roadscholar.org/grant , submit an email to registration@roadscholar.org , or call Road Scholar toll free at (877) 426-8056, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET.
About Road Scholar
Not-for-profit Road Scholar's mission is to inspire adults to learn, discover and travel. Our learning adventures engage expert instructors, provide extraordinary access, and stimulate discourse and friendship among people for whom learning is the journey of a lifetime. Since inception, more than 5 million people have enrolled in our 5,500 iconic educational adventures offered annually in 50 states and 150 countries around the world.
Road Scholar educational adventures are created by Elderhostel, the not-for-profit world leader in lifelong learning since 1975. To learn more, please visit our website at www.roadscholar.org/press .
Stacie Fasola (617) 457-5418 Despina Gakopoulos (617) 457-5502
