How Does The Sliding Fee Training Model Work?
Our Mission: The Community Tip Jar & Sliding Fee Scale
At Full Circle AT, we believe that financial barriers should never stand in the way of independence. While professional assistive technology training has a real cost, we refuse to let that cost exclude those who need it most.
The True Cost of Training
It is important for our community to understand our structure: Full Circle AT provides 1:1 training at an operational cost of $40.00 per hour. This “Agency Rate” represents the true cost of providing expert, individualized instruction.
However, we recognize the reality of living on a fixed income in 2026:
- SSI Maximum (Individual): $994 per month
- SSDI Average (Disabled Worker): Approximately $1,630 per month
When basic necessities like rent and food take priority, professional training can feel out of reach. We believe your ability to participate in a digital world should not be dictated by the size of your benefit check.
Our Commitment to Free Training
Because we believe in the “Full Circle” mission, we have committed to the following:
If your monthly income is below $2,000, your training is always 100% free. We personally subsidize the difference between our $40.00 operating cost and the $0.00 price tag for these students. We do this because everyone deserves the tools to succeed, regardless of their current financial situation.
If your monthly income is $2,000 or more, you receive our reduced individual rate of $17.50 per hour — less than half of our $40.00 operating cost — so professional training stays affordable as you grow your career.
How the Community Tip Jar Works
To help sustain this mission and keep training free for those who need it, we utilize a Community Tip Jar.
- For Students: If you are receiving free training, there is no obligation to pay.
- Optional Contributions: If you choose to contribute even a small amount toward your session, those funds go directly into the jar to help offset the $40-per-hour cost of training the next person.
- The Goal: The tip jar helps bridge the gap between our operating expenses and the free services we provide to our community members.
Paying It Forward: The Full Circle
The “Full Circle” mission is realized when a student finds success. If you eventually find yourself in a position to give back—perhaps through a new job or a change in circumstances—your contributions to the tip jar ensure that the next person in your shoes gets the same chance at independence.
Your support makes a tangible difference in someone’s journey toward greater independence.
Ready to start your journey?