Founded in Newport in 1973 by Barclay Warburton III, the American Sail Training Association (ASTA) is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization focused on youth education, leadership development and maritime heritage preservation. ASTA's mission is “to encourage character building through sail training, promote sail training to the North American public and support education under sail.” ASTA is an international institution with 250 tall ship and sail training member vessels hailing from more than 20 countries and sailing all of the world's major bodies of water.

ASTA is also the lead organizer of the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE®, an annual series of Tall Ships ® races and maritime festivals, and will be bringing an international fleet of tall ships to West Coast this summer to take part in TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® 2005.

To further its mission, the American Sail Training Association has established a new scholarship program to provide funding to individuals committed to a course of sail training and sea education and furthering the skills and values imparted through time spent underway and under sail.  

The Ernestine Bennett Memorial Scholarship Program has been established to assist applicants over the age of 14 in participating in a sail training experience with special consideration given to young women and residents of Washington, Oregon and British Columbia. The scholarship fund and program was initiated with a generous gift from Youth Adventure, Inc., the nonprofit sail training organization headed by Mrs. Bennett from 1974 until her passing in 2001.   Youth Adventure owned and operated the historic schooner Adventuress throughout the Puget Sound area and Pacific Northwest offering experience-focused character and team building sail training programs were aboard the 131-foot traditional sailing vessel for more than a quarter-century.

Scholarships will be awarded according to need, with priority given to students who show individual initiative and leadership qualities.   Students must pay some part of their tuition, but the percentage is not fixed, nor is it a determining factor in the selection process.   The Sail Training Program selected must be a current Professional Member of the American Sail Training Association and the vessel must hold an US Coast Guard certificate of inspection and be for use in programs designed for sail training purposes.  

To receive a copy of the application or for more information please e-mail Adria at adria@sailtraining.org or download it from our website at www.sailtraining.org   Application deadlines :  Applications must be received by ASTA by April 1st and November 1st of each year.