The Hyperlite Scholarship is a collective effort of NOLS and Hyperlite Mountain Gear to increase access to the skills and equipment to support a lifetime of lightweight adventures in the backcountry. Our faculty have been trusting Hyperlite gear for years in the field. This collaboration is built on that trust. This scholarship will cover both tuition and a gear package, specifically aimed at individuals who might not have the resources to pursue this opportunity otherwise. Together, we believe in our shared ability to provide the skills and the equipment to set someone up for a lifetime of backcountry travel, focused on the experience, rather than the aches and pains of a hefty pack. We hope that this experience will lay the groundwork for someone to expand their capacity for outdoor pursuits, to move through wild places with confidence and competence, and to inspire others to do the same.
Join us for a 14-day lightweight backpacking course through Wyoming’s Wind River Range, where you’ll learn how to assemble your own lightweight kit, experiment with systems, and learn the fundamentals of backcountry travel and wilderness medicine. This course begins with a 2-day Wilderness First Aid course, where participants will learn the basics of how to respond during a remote medical emergency, as well as building their understanding of how to care for themselves and others. This section is classroom-based with a focus on scenarios. After a gear shakedown, participants will head into the Winds to embrace the value of expeditionary learning. Your instructors will walk you through the fundamentals of backcountry travel, lightweight/efficient decision-making, and help lay the groundwork for planning your next adventure.
This need-based scholarship for someone who is 21 years or older. The application closes on April 11, 2025 at midnight. Applicants will be notified throughout the process of their eligibility with a final decision communicated in early May. The recipient will receive a scholarship for the full tuition of the course and a lightweight gear bundle (pack, quilt, and accessories) from Hyperlite Mountain Gear that will be yours to keep for your next adventure. The cost of travel to/from NOLS Rocky Mountain is the responsibility of the participant.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at info@nols.edu.
Apply for The Hyperlite Scholarship
Before You Begin
Gather these items before you begin. You will not have the opportunity to save your application once you start.
Your most recent 1040 tax form.
Your parents’ or guardians’ most recent 1040 tax form if you will be 24 or younger on December 31 of the year in which you are applying for a scholarship.
If you have any significant life events or circumstances that impact your finances, please let us know in the "Applicant Special Circumstances" section at the bottom. This will allow us to factor in life events that complete the picture of your ability to afford a NOLS course.
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