THE 3-WEEK ALIM SUMMER PROGRAM
For the past 25+ years, American Learning Institute for Muslims (ALIM) has helped spread Islamic Literacy among Muslims. Our 26th annual summer intensive, held at Benedictine University, IL, is an excellent opportunity to learn, meet students from across the globe, and build confidence in your faith.
The ALIM Summer Program intensive seeks to educate and empower Muslims with the requisite knowledge to understand their religion in the light of a changing world. The curriculum addresses traditional subjects such as Fiqh, Tafsir, and Sirah and contemporary issues in courses like Islam in America, Modernism, Sectarianism, and Liberalism.
The ALIM Summer Program intensive seeks to educate and empower Muslims with the requisite knowledge to understand their religion in the light of a changing world. The curriculum addresses traditional subjects such as Fiqh, Tafsir, and Sirah and contemporary issues in courses like Islam in America, Modernism, Sectarianism, and Liberalism.
Engage with esteemed scholars through interactive, discussion-based courses during our three-week faith-affirming ALIM Summer Program. With a maximum of 50 students per class, our intimate student/teacher ratio fosters personalized attention and cultivates a tight-knit learning community. Our inclusive classroom environment encourages students to freely ask questions and build lasting bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood. With a diverse network of 1,200 ALIMni, students have the opportunity to connect with fellow Muslims from around the world, enriching their learning experience and providing networking opportunities.
Embark on a transformative educational journey that combines critical thinking skills with a strong Islamic foundation. Gain exclusive access to esteemed scholars through interactive, discussion-based courses at our three-week faith-affirming ALIM Summer Program!
Apply now to secure your spot among the 50 graduating students of 2025! Start your application process today to take advantage of available scholarships and payment plans for those in need of financial assistance. Join us and become a part of our thriving academic community.
Apply now to secure your spot among the 50 graduating students of 2025! Start your application process today to take advantage of available scholarships and payment plans for those in need of financial assistance. Join us and become a part of our thriving academic community.
Submit an interest form
ALIM Class of 2025
Summer Program overview
The ALIM Summer Program focuses on developing critical thinking skills while promoting true Muslim character through an interactive, stimulating curriculum designed to provoke thought while emphasizing moral values. ALIM's Core Scholars are highly trained and hold Ph.Ds, ensuring a high level of academic expertise.
The study of tradition fosters critical thinking, whereas the contemporary courses invoke tradition, thus empowering participants with the tools to balance contemporary realities with traditional sciences. Moreover, the Summer Program imbibes students with the tarbiyyah (training) to fortify their personal identity while inspiring them to work for the improvement of society. Students also learn much from each other as they create ties of brotherhood and sisterhood that span the nation and globe.
Scholars & Courses
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Core Courses:
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Previous Courses:
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Admission
Regular Registration: ($3,250)
Late Registration: ($3,500): Ends 6/30/25
Deposit: $250
In need of a financial scholarship or want to learn more about payment plans? Learn more below!
Late Registration: ($3,500): Ends 6/30/25
Deposit: $250
In need of a financial scholarship or want to learn more about payment plans? Learn more below!
Program Fees:
Pay Here (Payment is submitted after applying, completing interview and receiving an acceptance email)
Fees include class tuition, materials, housing, food, and field trips. There is a slight discount for those who will be commuting daily (all students are highly encouraged to live on campus to experience the full ALIM program; those outside of the Canton area are required to live on campus). All students (commuter or on-campus) must commit to attending all classes and on-time.
Payment Plans:
For your convenience, we offer payment plans. Pay your full ALIM tuition in five easy payments of $650. Learn more here.
Refunds:
No accepted student is turned away due to lack of funds. Please fill out a financial aid form after you are accepted to the program.
Sponsor a Student: If you would like to sponsor a student or know someone who can, please click here. Questions? Email us here and read our FAQ's.
Pay Here (Payment is submitted after applying, completing interview and receiving an acceptance email)
Fees include class tuition, materials, housing, food, and field trips. There is a slight discount for those who will be commuting daily (all students are highly encouraged to live on campus to experience the full ALIM program; those outside of the Canton area are required to live on campus). All students (commuter or on-campus) must commit to attending all classes and on-time.
- Deposit: $250 to save your seat
- Total Tuition and Fees with Lodging = $3250 (including the deposit)
- Total Tuition and Fees without Lodging (commuters) = $2500 (including the deposit)
Payment Plans:
For your convenience, we offer payment plans. Pay your full ALIM tuition in five easy payments of $650. Learn more here.
Refunds:
- Withdraw before June 1: full refund (minus CC processing fees)
- Withdraw after June 11: forfeit deposit (tuition will be refunded)
- Withdraw after June 25: no refund at all (deposit or tuition)
No accepted student is turned away due to lack of funds. Please fill out a financial aid form after you are accepted to the program.
Sponsor a Student: If you would like to sponsor a student or know someone who can, please click here. Questions? Email us here and read our FAQ's.
frequently asked
What does the tuition cover?
Tuition includes room and board, meals, and transportation on field trips. Students are responsible for covering transportation to and from the program and any additional purchases such as additional meals, snacks, and items for the apartment such as sheets and bedding
Do you offer scholarships?
Should I bring anything with me?
Yes, we recommend bringing the following:
- Qur’an with translation (Note: Also bring a Qur’an specifically for recitation)
- Laptop/Tablet (for note taking and all reading materials will be sent electronically)
- Notebooks/paper and pens/pencils/highlighters
- Full size bed sheets, blanket, pillow, and a towel
- Toiletries (Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Soap, Shampoo/Conditioner, Towels, Shower Shoes, Hair Brush, etc.)
- Laundry Detergent for laundry machines (this can also be purchased upon arrival)
- Hangers and Clothing: Warm, Cold, Recreational
- Shoes (at least one pair for recreation)
- Optional: Blow Dryer
- Optional: Additional money for personal use (Instacart orders etc.).
- Qur’an with translation (Note: Also bring a Qur’an specifically for recitation)
- Laptop/Tablet (for note taking and all reading materials will be sent electronically)
- Notebooks/paper and pens/pencils/highlighters
- Full size bed sheets, blanket, pillow, and a towel
- Toiletries (Toothpaste, Toothbrush, Soap, Shampoo/Conditioner, Towels, Shower Shoes, Hair Brush, etc.)
- Laundry Detergent for laundry machines (this can also be purchased upon arrival)
- Hangers and Clothing: Warm, Cold, Recreational
- Shoes (at least one pair for recreation)
- Optional: Blow Dryer
- Optional: Additional money for personal use (Instacart orders etc.).
I'm traveling from out of state. What dates should I book my transportation?
Students should arrive on the first day preferably prior to 3 pm, in order to be there for evening orientation session and should leave on the last day, preferably in the afternoon, so they have time to cleanup before leaving— (arrive on July 8th and leave on July 30th).
Do you offer payment plans?
Yes! Pay your full ALIM tuition in three easy payments of $1,083. Learn more about payment plans here.
Read more FAQ's here. For more questions, please email us at [email protected] and [email protected]
ALIMni Testimonials
Join a network of 1,200+ ALImni
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Meet 2023 Alimni
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ALIM provided me with the proper foundation of Islam. All the scholars are phenomenal and come with different teaching styles. Each instructor incorporates diverse viewpoints of Islam—it’s important to have all the information about Islam so we can be empowered to make informed decisions on how we want to practice our faith and raise our kids in the future.” — Hadia Ali, Master’s in Biomedical Sciences, Loyola University |
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ALIM gave me a sense of brotherhood, belonging, and taught me how to not only maintain my deen but also grow it. The program taught me how to go about my life and also left me with a lot of questions about how I want to continue to pursue Islam. — Muhamad Mussani, Computer Science, University of Wisconsin-Madison |
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The amazing thing about ALIM is having the opportunity to engage with scholars inside and outside of class. The faculty has modeled diversity in thought and opinion within the Islamic tradition and the courses embody the idea of American Muslims in ways I haven’t seen before. The unique emphasis on grounding Islam within the U.S. context makes the content especially relevant to our present-day lives. As a convert, this has been particularly meaningful to me." — Kate Bridges-Lyman, Master of Divinity, University of Chicago. |
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This program allowed me to see Islam through different lenses and it made me realize no matter how different we all are, we all connect through Islam." — Shaheed Price, revert, husband, completing a Bachelor’s in Black Studies |
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ALIM has empowered me to want to dig deeper into Islamic studies. After being disconnected from religion for a long time, the knowledge I’ve gained has inspired me to study more and maybe even attend the program again!” — Keyana Price, revert, wife, completing a Bachelor’s in Psychology. |
ALIM summer program Blog
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By: Ustadh Ubaydullah Evans
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WHAT MAKES THE ALIM SUMMER PROGRAM SPECIAL?
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"Embracing diversity without succumbing to relativism is one of the greatest cultural achievements of Islam. Many students appreciate the ALIM SP because it embodies this ethic. As one of our previous students brilliantly put it: “It’s one thing to simply share physical space with people from other backgrounds; it’s entirely another to negotiate mutually exclusive truth claims with people whose experiences are completely different than mine and feel at home doing so. I feel as though we’re all collectively benefitting from one another.” Her insightful comments actually brought the Qur’ān to mind..." |
2024 ALIM Summer Program Afterword
By: Ustadh Ubaydullah Evans
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"...When instructors are intellectually honest (which shouldn’t be confused with conviction-lacking 'objectivity') students are given license to find themselves within the tradition. The result, which was highlighted by capstone projects completed by the students, is that students develop wildly diverse ideas about the utility of what they’ve learned. For example, one group of students developed a prototype of a social networking app while another group of students laid out an imaginary blueprint...."
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Apply as a FACILITATOR
Are you interested in being a facilitator at the ALIM Summer Program?
The ALIM summer program has, alhamdulillah, been successful since its inception in 1998. An integral part of the program lies with the two ALIM counselors, who remain on-site for the duration of the program. Their contributions are invaluable and as such discounts to their tuition’s are provided. If you are interested in being a counselor and have attended the ALIM Summer Program before, please fill out the form below!