Each institute participant will receive a $3,200 stipend, half of it to be paid upon your arrival in Prescott, and the remainder available halfway through the month. The stipend is to be used for all institute expenses, including travel, lodging, food, and books. Field trip travel will be covered by the organizers, as will your admission into the national parks and other sites. If, for any reason, you do not complete the full month of instruction, you are responsible for reimbursing Arizona State University at a prorated amount. The stipend is considered taxable income, and you will receive a 1099 form next year from ASU.

Below is a sample budget, which suggests how you might apply the $3,200. The “low” estimate assumes you will drive to Prescott or find an inexpensive flight, lodge in a shared room, eat most meals in your dorm, and already own most of the required texts (or buy them used). The “high” figure assumes you will take a more expensive flight and stay in a B&B or extended-stay motel, eat out more often, and buy most of your books new. These are estimates, of course, but they illustrate that the stipend can cover most expenses. Even if you are out-of-pocket, we think you will agree that the experience will be worth it.