Shaping the Future of African Venture Capital
The Access foundation
Dream VC's Internal Financial Aid Office
ABOUT DREAM VC ACCESS FOUNDATION
Dream VC’s Access Foundation provides need-based aid that allows us to bring the most outstanding fellows through Dream VC, regardless of their ability to pay.
Thanks in large part to our generous corporate sponsors along with other donors and alumni, forty percent of our past fellows paid nothing to go through the program, and more than half of the fellows received need-based scholarships.
With our generous financial aid program and a commitment to economic diversity, our Access Foundation team will work closely with every fellow to make sure nothing stands in the way of them joining our programs.
25%
Of Past Dream VC Fellows Paid Nothing to Go Through the Program
>40%
Fellows Received Some Form of Need-Based Scholarships
100%
Of Demonstrated Financial Need is Met
Applying for financial aid
Dream VC program applications are need-blind, meaning financial need and aid applications do not impact admission chances.
By mid-April, the Access Foundation Team will update the admissions committee on final financial aid decisions. Applicants who receive an offer from Dream VC will get their financial aid packages along with their offer letters.
The Access Foundation Team, along with our donors and corporate sponsors, reviews financial aid applications separately from the admissions committee, as Dream VC program applications are need-blind. They may ask for additional references and documentation from applicants.
Applicants offered a place in the Dream VC cohort have two weeks to decide on their acceptance and financial aid. Once accepted, they will begin the pre-onboarding process and receive payment information from the Access Foundation if they need to contribute to tuition.
Guiding Principles
All Dream VC program applications are based on need-based admissions. Therefore, an applicant’s financial need and their aid application will never affect their chance of being admitted to our programs
All financial aid packages are 100% need-based aid. The Access Foundation bases aid awards on need, not on merit - so the financial aid supports the prospective fellows who will benefit from it the most
Eligibility is determined in the same manner for all admitted fellows regardless of nationality or citizenship
The Access Foundation aims to meet each fellow's demonstrated financial need based on multiple factors including an individual and their family’s income, assets, size, and unusual expenses
DEMYSTIFYING FINANCIAL AID PACKAGES
The first step to navigating the financial aid process with the Access Foundation is to determine whether or not you as an individual demonstrate financial need in regards to the program tuition.
The tuition for the Launch into VC Program is $1500 USD, and the Investor Accelerator is $5000 USD.
It is imperative for all program applicants to first determine their individual contribution ability based on a careful review of their respective income, assets, and overall financial circumstances. Beyond their own individual contribution, all applicants should also seriously evaluate other potential outside aid.
It is important to note that all fellows regardless of their financial need are still expected to contribute to the programs in some form even if they receive a fully comprehensive financial aid package from the Access Foundation.
In the past, this has been met with fellows supporting in internal initiatives within Dream VC and external work required by financial sponsors, due to them being primary beneficiaries of Dream VC's education at the generosity of our ecosystem supporters.
Should an applicant qualify for financial aid from Dream VC’s Access Foundation, the team will create an individualized aid package offer based on the individual’s demonstrated need.
The outcomes of the Access Foundation’s financial aid decisions will only be communicated to prospective fellows who have received an official Dream VC program offer after the final application stage.
All decisions made on the financial aid package are final, although the finance team can suggest other sources of funds that maybe available from external sources.