Lancaster Recreation Commission
Youth Athletic Scholarship Application Guidelines
Purpose - To allow every Lancaster City and Lancaster Township resident, age 18 and under, the opportunity to participate in recreational activities regardless of household financial conditions. The Youth Athletic Scholarship program was developed to lower the cost of recreational opportunities for children whose families have demonstrated financial needs.
Who Qualifies? - Any Lancaster City or Lancaster Township resident youth age 18 and under who meets the family income guidelines (see Table 1 below) and whose parent/guardian submits the Youth Athletic Scholarship Application along with proper documentation. Scholarships are limited to a total of $200 per year per child.
Scholarship Requirements
- Families are required to participate in all program fundraisers.
- Parents/guardians are expected, if asked, to participate in volunteer activities to help offset the cost of this scholarship.
- Individuals are required to attend a minimum of 80% of scheduled practices, lessons, or games. Failure to meet attendance requirements and/or overdue payments may result in the loss of a scholarship for your household.
- Individuals are eligible to receive a 50% program fee discount (25% for certain programs) if they meet the income guidelines and provide documentation. Refer to Table 1 for family income guidelines.
- Foster children will automatically qualify with appropriate documentation.
Application Process
- Complete the Youth Athletic Scholarship Application Form, which must be signed by a parent/guardian. You must provide copies of the following where applicable: 2 current consecutive pay stubs, W-2 Forms, DSS Forms, SSI Forms, Social Security, Unemployment Statements, Child Support Order, and all 1099 forms.
- Attach Proof of Residency: copy of current driver's license, state-issued identification card, tax bill, or voter's registration card.
- Attach the program registration form.
- The Lancaster Rec Staff will contact you in writing within two weeks with the results of your application.
- Scholarship application approval will be based on verification of financial need and availability of scholarship funds.
Other Important Information
- Scholarship amounts are based on total family size and total family income level. Families are defined as parent(s)/guardian(s) and dependents all living at the same address. See Table 1 at right.
- Reduced fees will only be granted for programs solely sponsored by Lancaster Recreation Commission.
- Completing a Youth Athletic Scholarship Application DOES NOT register a child for a program. Please complete a form separately for the activities in which you are interested in having your children participate.
- All participants are expected to pay at least 50% of an activity registration/program fee.
- Scholarships will be provided on a first-come, funding, and space-available basis.
- All youth athletic programs qualify for scholarships.
- Transportation to programs is not provided.
- Scholarships cover the activity registration/program fee only, not uniform/costume costs.
Income Eligibility
| Household Members |
Annual Income Less Than* |
| 2 |
$33,874 |
| 3 |
$42,606 |
| 4 |
$51,338 |
| 5 |
$60,070 |
| 6 |
$68,802 |
| 7 |
$77,534 |
| 8 |
$86,266 |
*Annual income amounts are subject to change based on HUD guidelines.
Each additional dependent is $8,732
Confidentiality - Lancaster Recreation Commission will use the information on the application only to decide if your child qualifies to receive a partial scholarship for eligible athletic activities. Confidentiality will be maintained at all times. Applicants are guaranteed that personal finances will not be discussed outside of the department management. Coaches, instructors, or program leaders will not be informed of a participant's financial or scholarship status.
Questions? Call 392-2115 x 141