This application is for schools seeking financial assistance through either the Cincinnati Zoo's Living Classroom Education Access Fund (LCEAF) or Department of Education (DOE) funding. In order to qualify for financial assistance, 50% or more of your students must be enrolled to recieve free or reduced lunch (through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)).  

The LCEAF grant has been providing students attending qualifying schools in specific counties in the Tri-State (IN, KY, OH) with free Zoo visits since 2012. The DOE funding has been providing qualifying schools in Ohio with free Zoo visits since 2019. In order to be considered, this application needs to be completed fully upon submission. 

This application is specifically for After Hours Programs. 

• Financial assistance applications are accepted August 1, 2021 - June 30th, 2024.
• Completed applications can take up to 2 weeks to review and approve.
• Each year funding availability is subject to change, and assistance is awarded on a first come, first serve basis.
• This funding only covers students and adults within the 1:7 adult:student ratio. Additional Adults over the 1:7 adult:student ratio will be charged at the After Hours Program rate ($55 for African Predator Prowl, $65 for Sleep with the Manatees)
  
  • Deposit are due within two weeks of booking. Final numbers and any balance are due two weeks before your program date.
• After Hours Programs are available Wednesday-Saturday September-March, and Wednesday-Thursday April-June.

For this application you will need:

• Statement with current date of financial need showing a student population of at least 50% receiving Free and Reduced Lunch. This must be a recent statement dated within the last month. We cannot accept older statements from previous school years. 
• Names, emails, and cell phone numbers of teachers attending.
• Estimated number of students and adults attending, and grade levels of students. 

The Booking Process

1. Go over the program details and find the program that best fits your group.
2. Make your request through this online request form. Select up to 3 dates your group is available.
   • If one of your dates is available and you’re ready to book, we will book your program and send a confirmation/invoice.
   • If your dates are not available, a member of the Education team will be in touch.
3. Once your booking is confirmed, we will email a confirmation, and invoice if applicable. After this time, your participant numbers may not increase.
4. For programs with a balance, a 25% deposit is due within two weeks of booking confirmation
5. Two weeks before your program date, your final numbers (and balance if applicable) are due.

Preferred Date(s) 
Programs must be booked at least one calendar month in advance. Please note that not all preferred dates are always available. Flexibility is appreciated!

Please fill out the following information to the best of your ability. Approximating group size and needs is necessary for registration. Final numbers and any applicable program fees will be due 2 weeks prior to your program. 

Note that our chaperone to student ratio is 1:7. These programs are designed for children 2nd grade and up. 

There is a minimum of 15 participants for the African Predator Prowl and Sleep with the Manatees programs. 

Maximum total number of participants (students, teachers and other adults):

• Africa Predator Prowl: 90 people (78 students)
• Sleep with the Manatees: 60 people (52 students)

LCEAF/Financial Assistance Information

• Click "submit" to complete your application. You will be receive an email copy of your request.
• Financial assistance requests can take up to 2 weeks to process.
• If your application is incomplete and you are asked to resubmit it, please understand that grant funds are limited and will be awarded on a first come, first serve basis. Therefore, resubmission does not guarantee financial aid and the application will not be considered until it is completed and requirements are met.

LCEAF/Financial Assistance Terms and Conditions

If you are approved for financial assistance:

• You are only approved for the number of programs and students listed in your application. 
• Financial assistance only covers the cost of admission for approved students and required adults in our 1:7 adult:student ratio, and required student aides. Adults over the 1:7 ratio will be charged the program rate.
• Due to room restrictions, we cannot have addition participants once your numbers have been finalized two weeks before the program visit.
• If you receive financial assistance, all requirements must be met (ie. post-surveys).We maintain records of requirements being fulfilled and failure to do so may affect future financial assistance requests.