When registered for a minimum of three credit hours in the approved courses, families can use funds from 529 plans to pay for treatment at Open Sky and for Western Colorado University course credits.
The complexities of being a young person today are unprecedented and the tools to prepare for meeting this reality lacking. Many of Open Sky’s young adult students have had to take a break from college or delay the next steps of their lives due to challenges with mental health, substance use, or independent living. Now, our students don’t have to choose between their education and overall well-being. We offer students the opportunity to both earn college credits while at Open Sky and use college savings to pay for their treatment and education.
In partnership with Western Colorado University, students enrolled in Open Sky’s young adult program may choose to earn three credit hours in a special topics psychology course, Nature and the Human Psyche. The robust curriculum is specifically designed to align with the trajectory of students’ therapeutic work and deepen their experience in wilderness. Through independent study, group engagement, and experiential learning, students strengthen their core capacity for attention, curiosity, awareness, emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and connection.
When registered for three credit hours in the approved course, families can use funds from 529 plans to pay for a portion of the Open Sky program and Western Colorado University course credits. If you would like to explore using a 529 plan to pay for a portion of treatment, please check out our free guide below or contact admissions@openskywilderness.com. We also recommend consulting with your tax advisor regarding eligibility of 529 funds for potential program and registration reimbursement.
Open Sky recognizes the power we hold as educators to help guide the learning and lives of the students we serve. We believe in educating the whole person – body, mind, heart, and spirit – to prepare our young people to navigate unique and urgent challenges and to positively contribute to society.
