The Y strives to provide the most thorough consideration and assistance to those experiencing financial hardship. Scholarships are funded generously by donors in our community to help bridge the gap between the cost of a membership and a family’s own resources. All Y members can feel confident knowing they are a part of an organization that cares greatly for the well-being of all people in the community from all backgrounds.
An Experience Scholarship does not cover the full cost, but can significantly lower the cost of:
If approved:
Experience Scholarships are available for individuals and families who live up to 350% of the Federal Poverty Level, but it’s important to note that scholarships are intended to support those whose circumstances limit their ability to meet basic living expenses—not solely those who report low income. Eligibility is determined through a full review of:
REMINDER: If you live in a single-family residence, all members of the household must be included in the application and supporting documentation — even if they are not applying for a Y membership or program. Incomplete or unverifiable information will result in delay or ineligibility.
The application is just the first step—your eligibility depends on your accuracy and follow-through.
1. Check your inbox (and spam!) right away
Look for an automatic response from no-reply@RochesterYMCA.org. This confirms we have the correct email for all future status updates.
2. Use the same email
All updates will be sent to the same email you used in your application. Check it regularly and respond promptly to any requests — exactly as outlined.
If you haven’t received a follow-up within 7 business days, email Membership@RochesterYMCA.org.
Be ready to submit proof of total household information as required within 30 days of applying.
You’ll be emailed specific instructions within 7 days if documentation is necessary. What you think is sufficient proof of income may not meet the program’s requirements, so submit according to the guidelines provided to be accepted.
The full process takes up to 30 days.
Applications and supporting documentation are reviewed in the order received. Delays are most commonly due to:
PRO TIP: The more closely you follow the guidelines provided, the faster we can move your application forward.
We understand that members using a Self-Direction budget through OPWDD — or other agency-approved funding — are often required to apply for financial assistance before a membership can be approved.
There are two options for requesting a membership at a reduced rate, depending on your situation.
Option #1:
If you are unable to meet the Experience Scholarship Program’s full household requirements, or know your household income would disqualify you, submit a short form through our Third-Party Payers page to request a membership at our 20% Member Referral rate. Once that form is received, we’ll confirm payment directly with your FI, broker, or agency contact and you can activate the membership right away.
NOTE: By selecting this option, you are choosing not to apply for a total household income-based scholarship.
Option #2:
This is our full financial assistance program, which may provide a deeper discount based on total household size and income. To qualify, you must:
• Disclose all household members (if living in a single-family residence)—not just the individual receiving support
• Submit complete, verifiable documentation for all income sources—not just the individual receiving support
✅ If you can fulfill these requirements, continue with the full Experience Scholarship application, answering each question with the entire household in mind.
Our team works hard to review each application thoroughly. While we aim to process applications within 30 days, delays are often caused by incomplete documentation, missing follow-up steps, or a high volume of unnecessary status requests.
If you submitted all required documentation according to the specific guidelines, your application is in line for processing.
Be sure to:
The most common reasons for delay or denial include:
PRO TIP: The best way to speed up your application is to submit complete, accurate household information and corresponding documentation the first time by carefully following the guidelines provided following your application.
Each Experience Scholarship is valid for one year from the time of approval, based on current household information. To determine eligibility for a new 12-month period, a new application with up-to-date information is required for our records.