Funded Independent Courses

Pick your passion.

Through Funded Independent Courses, LAU provides access to your student’s favorite activities from a qualifying vendor of your choice.

View the list of approved vendors here

Here’s how Funded Independent Courses work:

LAU students have the option of taking one Funded Independent Course from an LAU approved vendor per semester.*

The purpose of Funded Independent Courses is to help students access courses that:

  • Are at a beginning or intermediate level of instruction
  • Get students off their screens and encourage social interaction
  • Are offered by professionals who operate under a business license
  • Are in physical, public settings, such as studios, gyms, or other public places
  • Fulfill required standards
  • Are not in competition with or similar to courses already offered by LAU

Courses that do not fulfill the purpose of this program and will not be approved include:

  • Online courses – they do not engage students in physical or social activities in a public setting.
  • Core courses, including History, Science, Math, Social Studies, Language Arts, and Leadership. LAU already offers courses in these subjects. 
  • Any type of 1:1 instruction not offered in a public setting. Public settings include places like a dance studio, a university, or a place of business; a private residence does not qualify.
  • Classes from local tech colleges.

Approved courses may include:

  • Language Arts – Debate
  • Fine Arts – Dance, media arts, music study, choir, instrumental, theater, and visual arts
  • PE – Group physical activities that require the development of physical skills and fitness, such as martial arts, gymnastics, sports, etc.
  • Electives – Live courses that meet the purpose of the program as described above and in which LAU does not already provide related offerings

Questions? Please reach out to Cynthia Hampton for more info.

Click below to learn more about what you need to do to participate in Funded Independent Courses:

Process for Students

Process for Students:

  1. Log required hours of practice/performance during the semester (60 hours for high school and 40 hours for middle school students).
  2. To pass this class, students must turn in assignments and work samples by completing 4 brief reports. (One report for every 15 hours of practice/performance for HS Students, one report for every 10 hours of practice/performance for MS Students)
  3. Students are required to submit the signed instructor agreement and first report before mid-term (this is required to remain in this class).
  4. Receive instruction at least four times from a person who is qualified as a professional in the field (high school coaches, construction contractors, martial arts instructors, piano teachers, etc.).
  5. Submit 4 items of evidence (may include photos or video of performance or practice, or written report).

Important note: Funded Independent Courses courses are a privilege. Students who do not log the required hours and submit the required reports will not pass the class. Students who fail to pass a Funded Independent Course will be unable to take it again the next semester.

Process for Parents

Process for Parents:

  1. Enroll your student in a Funded Independent PE, Fine Arts or Elective course from an LAU approved vendor.
  2. Select an approved vendor or you may invite a vendor to apply to become a vendor through LAU.
    • Fall Semester Vendor Application Deadline:
      September 5 (or following Monday if 5th is over the weekend)
    • Winter Semester Vendor Application Deadline:
      January 25 (or following Monday if 25th is over the weekend)
  3. LAU approves the enrollment.
  4. Parents communicate with vendors to make all arrangements and understand any additional costs, program availability and other registration details. ALL Funded Electives will require additional registration outside of LAU registration.
  5. Parents fill out the form sent on week two of the semester to tell the LAU team which vendor(s) they have invited to apply.
  6. Vendor applies for and receives approval through LAU.
  7. LAU pays approved vendors directly.

Important notes:

  • Vendor must be a professional in the field that offers classes to the public. (Non-professionals and family members are not eligible to teach Funded Elective courses.)
  • If your Vendor is not already approved, please follow through with them and communicate all requirements and deadlines for the application process.
  • If your Vendor IS approved but is a new Vendor to you, remember that parents and/or students are responsible to communicate with Vendors to make all arrangements and understand any additional costs, program availability and other registration details. ALL Funded Electives will require additional registration outside of LAU registration. Please see Vendor list below for Vendor contact information.

Process for Vendors

Process for Vendors:

  1. Complete the Vendor Application & Consent Form on this page.
  2. Complete fingerprint background check. An LAU school-specific fingerprint background check is required. Per the State of Utah, fingerprints from other locations cannot be accepted.
  3. Get listed on the LAU website so more families can find you (unless you request otherwise).

Vendors are also required to:

  • Submit student roster and invoice mid-semester.
  • Sign students off on their 15-hour reports (10-hour report for MS students).
  • Accommodate an in-person visit annually as requested by LAU.
  • Provide a current photo of the place of business.

As vendors are approved, they will be listed here. Vendors that have applied but have not yet completed the fingerprint or background check process can be found here.

Important Info - General Requirements

Drop Deadline

Students must have an approved vendor before the final Add/Drop date which is day 28 of the semester. State law requires that any class dropped after day 28 will receive an “F”.

Students who do not have Vendors secured and reported to LAU by week 3 of the semester will have their Funded Independent Course changed to a regular Independent Study course and no funding will be available. This means parents will be responsible to pay for any lessons that have or will be taking place during the semester.

Things LAU cannot do:

  • Pay families directly
  • Pay more than $300 per semester
  • Pay more than vendors usually charge
  • Pay more than one vendor per semester

View the list of approved vendors here

*The funding limit for Funded Independent Courses is $300 per semester.