(Photo courtesy of Bend Language Institute)
The Bend Language Institute (BLI) is expanding its scholarship program for the 2026–2027 academic year, offering full and partial scholarships for students enrolled in English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and American Sign Language (ASL) courses.
The initiative is designed to make language education more accessible to Central Oregonians who face financial barriers, helping more community members gain valuable communication skills and connect with others through language.
This year, the institute will award 14 full scholarships for ASL students and six scholarships for ESOL students, with plans to grow the program in the coming years.
The scholarship program was developed in response to growing community needs.
“We regularly heard from people who wanted to learn a language but simply couldn’t afford the tuition,” said BLI founder Christina Cappy. “We realized there was an opportunity to remove that barrier and make our classes accessible to more people.”
Full scholarships cover both tuition and required course materials, while partial scholarships provide a 50% discount on tuition. Applications are evaluated based on financial need and community involvement, with priority often given to individuals working in healthcare, education, and nonprofit organizations.
The impact of language learning extends well beyond the classroom. For English learners, improved language skills can open doors to better employment opportunities, higher education, and greater confidence in daily life. ASL students often enroll to communicate with family members or friends who are deaf or experiencing hearing loss, while others begin learning ASL after experiencing hearing loss themselves.
“Our goal is to support members of our community who can truly benefit from these language skills,” Cappy said. “Whether someone is learning English to pursue new opportunities or ASL to connect with a loved one, we want to help make that possible.”
Community members interested in applying for a scholarship can email bendlanguageinstitute@gmail.com to request an application and learn more about available opportunities.
