Financial Assistance Program Information
ALL APPLICATION MATERIALS MUST BE RECEIVED
NO LATER THAN AUGUST 15TH DEADLINE.
Questions regarding financial aid and the application process should be directed to finaid@rideiea.org.
REQUIREMENTS & TERMS:
IEA Sponsoring Coach
Students must be recommended for the program and sponsored by the student’s IEA Coach.
The Coach’s sponsorship must include the following:
- Submission of the initial application and recommendation.
- The Sponsoring Coach will agree to waive or charge reduced lesson fees to the student-rider applicant to offset lesson costs.
- Coaching fees at IEA events will be waived, or charged at a reduced rate, and/or the coach will offer working opportunities to help offset any additional team fees/travel costs/etc.
- Note that the Financial Aid Program covers the rider's expenses for post season as an INDIVIDUAL, but that the Team/Coach would be expected to financially assist the rider through donations, fundraising, or work opportunities if the rider is needed as a point rider for the Team during the post season finals events.
- Signature from Sponsoring Coach confirming sponsorship of the applicant and intent to abide by the structure fo the IEA Financial Aid Policy. (Additional email confirmation may also be requested if student-rider is approved for aid.)
- A Sponsoring Coach who fails to meet the Requirements & Terms for Financial Aid will NOT be considered an IEA Member in good standing.
- The Sponsoring Coach will be responsible for the timely submission of lesson stipends, entry fees, and travel fees (if applicable) on the IEA Invoice for Coach Reimbursement Form on behalf of the rider for funds to be distributed. All reimbursement requests must be submitted no later than June 30 of the applicable competition season. The form will be sent to the Sponsoring Coach upon applicant approval for aid.
IEA Financial Coverage
All financial awards will be approved for a period of one competition season. The IEA Benevolent Fund will match the Coach’s sponsorship as follows:
- IEA will waive or refund the student-rider’s individual membership fee for one discipline. ($70)
- IEA will pay a stipend toward the student-rider’s lesson fees to the IEA Sponsoring Coach to help cover lesson costs and horse use. ($50/lesson-2x per month-up to $600 max)
- IEA will pay all standard competition entry fees for up to five (5) regular season shows in one discipline. ($550 Maximum)
=$1,150 maximum in regular season
In the event of post-season competition, additional financial aid will be awarded as follows:
- IEA will pay the student’s standard entry fees for qualified Individual classes at regional, zone and national finals. (up to $420 max).
- IEA will pay a $150 travel stipend for zone finals (HS/D) or regional finals (W) and a $300 travel stipend for nationals.
=$870 max in post-season additional funds
Maximum financial aid to be awarded to any applicant through the IEA Benevolent Fund: $2,020/student.
The Sponsoring Coach will be expected to cover all financial obligations until a reimbursement is received from the IEA. Requests for funds will be accepted on a monthly basis and will be paid within 30 days of the request received. Requests cannot be paid in advance of services rendered, shows completed, or for any potential billing accumulated prior to notification of approval. Please submit the information via fillable PDF IEA Invoice for Coach Reimbursement Form provided for all payment requests.
Approval Period
Rider financial aid applications for the upcoming IEA competition season will be accepted until August 15th. All applications will be compiled and reviewed at the same time by the Benevolent Fund Committee. The Committee will consist of the IEA Executive Director, the National Steward, the Membership Secretary and one additional Member chosen from the IEA Staff or Board of Directors. If a student has been recommended or is personally known by a Benevolent Committee member, tha member will be replaced for the review by an alternate member.
IEA Sponsoring Coaches will be notified of application decisions in early September, and an acceptance email from the coach additionally confirming their sponsorship of the applicant and intent to abide by the structure of the IEA Financial Aid Policy may be requested at that time.
Restrictions
A student-rider applicant can only be approved for financial aid to support participation in ONE IEA discipline (Hunt Seat, Western, or Dressage).
Any student that is receiving aid through the IEA Benevolent Fund is NOT eligible to receive additional financial assistance for IEA participation from regional or zone programs unless otherwise stated. However, these students ARE fully eligible for any scholarships, competitions, or additional competitive awards offered through the IEA such as the National Sportsmanship Award, Senior Scholarships, Regional/Zone Essay Competitions, etc. They may also be eligible to apply for additional supplemental grants that may be offered from time to time as detailed in the “Opportunities” section of the IEA website.
To be eligible to apply for and receive Financial Aid, the rider must be active on a team roster and remain an IEA rider member in good standing throughout the entire competition season in which funding has been approved.
A rider’s entry fees will only be reimbursed if they competed in the entered event claimed for reimbursement. (i.e.: Scratched entries cannot be claimed for reimbursement.)
Anonymity
Once a student applicant is approved for financial aid, the IEA Sponsoring Coach will be notified and can then notify the student and the student’s parents. No other parties will be made aware of the financial support without consent from the Sponsoring Coach and Parent of the student-rider.
Funding
Initial funding for the Financial Assistance Program will come from the IEA Benevolent Fund. To establish an ongoing endowment, the IEA will continue to fundraise and seek out grants and donors to support the longevity and growth of this program. Tax deductible donations to the IEA Benevolent Fund may be made at any time through the IEA website. https://www.rideiea.org/donate-benevolent-fund/