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 eliminate the cost, but can significantly lower the cost of Membership, Swim Lessons, Youth Sports, Partial Day Preschool, Summer Camp and BASP (Before & After School Program).
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.
Scholarships are not combinable with any other discount or promotional rate, and rates offered are the lowest possible within the program’s guidelines. If approved, all joining fees are waived.
Our mission is to provide Experience Scholarships for individuals and families who live up to 350% of poverty, based on the Federal Poverty Guidelines, to reduce regular rates. Eligibility is determined following a sliding-scale based on address, total household size, and income regardless of who is applying for a membership or program. If supporting documentation is required, a request with specific guidelines for submissions to be accepted is emailed after the initial application is reviewed.
REQUIREMENTS FOR QUALIFICATION:
All household members must be disclosed at time of application, whether or not they will be included for the membership or program you are applying for. Census data provided by HUD is used in determining eligibility in addition to publicly available information provided by a third party, subscription-based data service.
Supporting documentation must be complete, verifiable, and account for each member in the household, whether or not they would be included in a Y membership or program. Clearly defined guidelines are provided in the request for documentable proof.
We require any prior unpaid balance on an existing account be paid in full before we can process an application. Please contact the previous membership location directly to resolve any balance before applying.
Rate guarantee. An approved rate is based on the pricing at the time of approval and is guaranteed for your 12-month scholarship period as long as your membership is continuous. If your membership is cancelled and later resumed, an award is subject to current pricing.
We recognize that many of our members with a Self-Direction budget through OPWDD or other agency-approved funding are required to apply for financial assistance before the membership can be approved. Experience Scholarships are based on the full disclosure of all household members and their income, not a specific individual’s.
If a membership will be paid for by a Third-Party organization (such as an FI through a Self-Direction budget or other agency funding), submit a short, simple form on our Third-Party Payers page here.
Our ability to process applications within a 30-day timeframe is directly related to the number of requests we receive for status updates and all information, including supporting documentation, being completely accurate and verifiable according to the guidelines provided.
For the most recent updates regarding your application, be sure to search your inbox and spam folders for the subject line “Experience Scholarship” using the same email address provided in your application. If you’ve submitted your required documentation according to the specific guidelines provided, your application is in the queue to be processed. Thank you for your patience.
ANY OF THE FOLLOWING WILL RESULT IN A DELAY OR DENIAL:
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.