Financial Assistance & Payment Support
Because Cost Shouldn't Automatically Close the Door.
The BOW Access Program is Blessing Our Women, Inc.'s financial-access initiative designed to help eligible individuals participate in qualifying BOW programs and services when financial hardship makes the full cost difficult to manage.
Need Support With a BOW Fee? Start Here.
What Is BOW Access?
Access With Dignity
BOW understands that someone's ability to pay a full program or service fee does not necessarily reflect her commitment, readiness, or desire to participate.
BOW Access provides a structured process for eligible participants and families experiencing financial hardship to request consideration for available financial accommodations.
"Create a pathway to participation when resources allow."
Please note: BOW Access does not guarantee free services or financial assistance. Each request is reviewed individually based on the applicable program, eligibility requirements, demonstrated need, available resources, and BOW approval.
What BOW Access May Provide
Different Needs May Require Different Solutions
Depending on the program or service and available resources, an approved BOW Access arrangement may include:
Payment Plan
Breaking an eligible program or service fee into approved installments.
Reduced Fee
A portion of an eligible fee may be reduced based on the approved financial-assistance determination.
Partial Scholarship or Sponsorship
Available scholarship or sponsored funds may be applied toward an eligible participant's approved costs.
Full Scholarship or Fee Waiver
In limited circumstances, qualifying costs may be fully covered when funding is available and the request is approved.
Other Approved Accommodation
BOW may authorize another financial arrangement when appropriate and consistent with organizational policy.
Who Can Request BOW Access?
Financial Hardship Can Look Different for Different Families.
BOW Access may be available to individuals applying for or participating in an eligible fee-based BOW program or service. A request may be appropriate when circumstances make the regular fee difficult to manage, including situations involving limited income, unemployment, unexpected financial hardship, significant household obligations, or other circumstances affecting the applicant's ability to pay.
"You don't have to decide whether your situation is "bad enough" before asking."
If paying the regular fee presents a genuine financial barrier, you may submit a request for consideration. BOW will make the eligibility determination.
What Can BOW Access Be Used For?
BOW Access Helps With Eligible BOW Fees
BOW Access may be used only for approved costs associated with qualifying Blessing Our Women programs or services. For example, where applicable, assistance could be considered for:
BOW Access is not general financial assistance.
It does not provide cash to participants for rent, utilities, transportation, groceries, personal bills, or other outside expenses.
BOW Access vs. Survivor Stabilization
These are two separate programs serving different purposes.
| BOW Access | Avis' Legacy Survivor Stabilization Grant |
|---|---|
| Helps reduce financial barriers to eligible BOW programs/services | Helps an eligible active BOW participant with an approved critical stabilization need |
| May include payment plans, reduced fees, scholarships, sponsorships or waivers | Provides one-time financial assistance |
| Does not provide cash for general living expenses | May address approved immediate needs such as utilities, transportation or essential transitional expenses |
| Availability varies | Offered through the Avis' Legacy Fund under its own eligibility and review process |
How BOW Access Works
A Clear, Consistent Review Process
Choose Your Program or Service
Determine which eligible BOW program or service you're seeking.
Request BOW Access
Complete the BOW Access financial-hardship request and provide the required information.
BOW Reviews Your Request
BOW reviews your request according to applicable eligibility criteria, program requirements, available resources, and financial-assistance policies.
Receive a Determination
You will be informed whether your request was approved, partially approved, placed under another available arrangement, or unable to be funded.
Complete Your Arrangement
If approved, you complete any required financial-assistance, payment-plan, sponsorship, scholarship, or fee-adjustment documentation before the arrangement takes effect.
What Information Will I Need?
We Ask Only for Information Needed to Review the Request
- The program or service requested
- Household/financial circumstances
- Amount the applicant can reasonably contribute
- Type of assistance requested
- Relevant hardship circumstances
- Supporting information or documentation when required
- Applicant certification and acknowledgment
Applicants are not required to provide unnecessarily invasive financial documentation. BOW asks only for information needed to fairly review the request.
How Much Should I Request?
Contribute What You Reasonably Can.
Where appropriate, applicants may be asked what portion of the regular fee they can reasonably afford. If someone cannot afford the full program fee but can contribute part of it, a reduced-fee arrangement or payment plan may preserve limited scholarship dollars for participants who need greater assistance.
An applicant's ability to contribute does not by itself determine whether assistance will be approved.
Participant Sponsorship
Community Support Can Open a Door.
Individuals, businesses, churches, community groups, and other supporters may contribute toward eligible participant costs through BOW's approved sponsorship process. Participant sponsorship funds are administered by BOW according to applicable program and financial policies.
Privacy & Dignity
Financial Hardship Is Personal. We Treat It That Way.
Information submitted through BOW Access is used for legitimate program administration, eligibility review, financial-assistance decisions, recordkeeping, and other authorized organizational purposes.
Access to information is limited according to BOW's applicable records, privacy, financial, and program policies.
Receiving financial assistance does not give BOW permission to publicly identify a participant as a BOW Access recipient.
Important Things to Know Before You Apply
BOW Access FAQs
Need Access? Ask.
Financial Hardship Shouldn't Stop You From Exploring What's Possible.
BOW Access exists to create a fair, organized way for participants and families to tell us: "I want to participate. I need help making the cost manageable." We'll review the request, determine what options may be available, and communicate the decision before an approved financial arrangement takes effect.