Tuition

The Joseph Baldwin Academy is an “all-inclusive” one price to attend – there will not be additional course fees, books or field trip expenses associated with some of the courses.

JBA Tuition for 2025 will be $2,400, which includes the following:

As with any activity, trip or event, students will want to bring spending money. Anything that is not listed in the “All-Inclusive Fee” listed above is the responsibility of the parent or guardian signing the application such as:

Spending Money – the items listed below are not required items, however most students do spend money on these and occasionally other items.

• Snacks and drinks (outside of meals) – see Hall Store info below (all proceeds fund JBA scholarships and financial aid)
• Souvenirs from field trips
• Housing group activities (such as farmers market, movies, swimming, fast food, etc.)
• *Laundry supplies (machines are at no cost to students, however, supplies must be provided by student)
• JBA items such as water bottles, additional t-shirts, lanyards, etc. (all proceeds fund JBA scholarships and financial aid)
• Items that a student may run out of, such as toiletries, laundry supplies, pens, pencils, etc.
• Appreciation day activities for Preceptors
• Replacement of lost residence hall key or student ID card (used in the library, rec center and dining hall)

While spending varies from student to student each year, most students spend an average of $150 per each three week session.  Please note that families are encouraged to discuss budgeting of money before attending the Academy.

JBA Hall Store

The Academy provides a “JBA Hall Store” in the residence hall where students may purchase a wide variety of items such as, but not limited to:

All profits for all of these items sold is the main funding source for scholarships/financial aid provided for students to attend future academies.

Personal Materials for Classes

Some faculty members will ask students to bring items, such as (but not limited to): Paper, notebooks, writing utensils, binders, calculators, tennis shoes/closed toe shoes, plain white t-shirts, USB cord, etc.  Not all students will need these items, however, if these or other items are needed, you will be notified by your instructor prior to arrival on campus (typically one – two weeks in advance of your session).

Medical Services

JBA provides a Health and Wellness Director to track and oversee prescription medications brought by students, provide simple/basic first aid, over-the-counter medications for needs such as headaches, minor coughs or colds, that would typically be treated by families at home.  However, JBA does not provide any medical services that require a physician, nurse, emergency treatment or normal medical/dental visits.  Any treatment beyond basic first aid is not included in the tuition and is the responsibility of the parent or guardian signing the Medical Form. Students/families will be required to pay any co-pay for medical services or prescriptions at the time of service directly to the facility.  For more information, click here: Student Services

Scholarships

Some students selected for JBA will be awarded partial JBA Scholarship/Financial Aid awards ranging from $250 to $450. The number of scholarships is limited and will be awarded on the basis of financial need. Scholarships are funded through the sales of the JBA Hall Store items during each session of the Academy.

Missouri applicants for financial aid will also be considered for The Joseph Baldwin Academy Opportunity Scholarship, made possible by a Missouri donor who each year seeks to help an extraordinary student(s) with great potential for future growth and leadership attend the Academy. Two $500 scholarships are awarded in each session.

The Dan Clark Scholarship, named after the JBA director who retired after 15 summers of dedicated service, is a single $500 award open to aid applicants who demonstrate both financial need and an expressed interest in their application. Students will also need to complete an essay in the online application addressing the principles of justice, equality, and opportunity for humanity in society.  The essay will need to be a minimum of 200 words and maximum of 400 words.

Priority is given to applicants who have not previously received financial aid from JBA. Awards are first made to all eligible first-time attendees. If funds remain available, these funds are then distributed to returning students in order of greatest need.

Donations for Scholarships and Financial Aid

Only students requesting financial aid should complete the request for financial aid section within the application materials. Students needing financial assistance are also encouraged to seek aid from service and business organizations in their local community such as Rotary, Chamber of Commerce, PTO/PTA, Bright Futures, etc.

JBA Fundraising Ideas from past attendees:

The suggestions listed below are ideas that past attendees have shared with us that they have used to raise the funds for their tuition.  

1. Contact your school’s counselor to see if any volunteer/non-profit groups have options to help you, such as:
   1. PTA/PTO
   2. Bright Futures
   3. Other local parent organizations
2. Optimist Clubs in your area
3. Organizations in your area that “hire” family members to work for donations, such as:
   1. 4theyouth.net
4. Crowd Funding, such as:
   1. GiveButter.org is a no fee fundraising platform.
   2. Go Fund Me is a fundraising platform.
5. Recycling programs – check your community for what they will pay for recycled materials, such as aluminum cans.
6. Check with local businesses for:
   1. possible sponsorship/donation.
   2. will allow you to do tasks for them in exchange for a donation to your tuition –
   3. your local grocery store may allow you to donate your time to help bag groceries in return for a donation.
7. Have your family members check with their employers for potential sponsorship/donation.
8. Tasks for donations:
   1. Community cleanup – Ask donors to donate an allotted amount for each bag of trash you clean up in a designated area. Even communicate with your local park or community area for this idea.
9. Crafting – Crafting items to sell to family, friends and/or at a local craft show or farmer’s market.
10. Parents Night Out – babysitting services that are a donation or hourly rate to towards your tuition.
11. Car Wash – contact a local business that would allow you and your family or friends to have it on a main street in their parking lot.