STRIDE Youth With Promise Scholarship Application

STRIDE Scholarship Program Information
Thank you for considering STRIDE as an opportunity to provide yourself, your child, or a loved one with a meaningful equine experience through our scholarship program. Please read the following information carefully and provide complete and accurate information so our Scholarship Committee can make the best decisions for all applicants.

Applications are reviewed in the order they are received. If multiple qualified applicants are competing for limited scholarship funds, a lottery system may be used to ensure a fair and equitable selection process.

YOUTH WITH PROMISE SCHOLARSHIPS
STRIDE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to making horses and horsemanship accessible to individuals of all abilities and financial circumstances. Through our Youth with Promise Scholarship Program, we provide financial assistance for children and teens who would otherwise be unable to participate in our programs.

In addition, STRIDE offers scholarship opportunities for adults with disabilities who wish to participate in our adaptive riding and equine-assisted programs. Together, these scholarships help fulfill our mission of making the physical, emotional, cognitive, and social benefits of horses available to those who need them most.

New and returning participants are welcome to apply.

Scholarships may be used for eligible STRIDE programs, including:

Adaptive (Therapeutic) Riding Sessions
Group Riding Lessons
Summer Camps (youth participants)
Other approved STRIDE programs as funding permits
After a scholarship has been fully utilized, participants are welcome to apply again for future funding.

Attendance Policy
Scholarship recipients are expected to attend all scheduled lessons, therapy sessions, or camp days.

Participants who miss more than one scheduled lesson, therapy session, or camp day without prior notice may forfeit their scholarship and may not be eligible to reapply until determined by the Scholarship Committee.

Scholarship Awards
To maximize the number of individuals we can serve, applicants who do not require full financial assistance are encouraged to apply for a 50% partial scholarship rather than a full scholarship.

Applicants will indicate whether they are requesting a full or partial scholarship during the application process.

Prospective participants and their families are also encouraged to pursue any available financial assistance through insurance, schools, agencies, community organizations, or other funding sources before applying. This allows STRIDE to extend scholarship assistance to as many individuals as possible.

Participation Criteria
Mounted Programs
Participants in mounted activities must:

Be physically able to mount a horse using a mounting block with assistance from staff or volunteers if needed.
Be able to sit safely astride the horse with adequate trunk stability during movement.
Be able to independently maintain appropriate head and neck alignment during riding.
Be able to safely wear an ASTM/SEI-approved riding helmet.
Be able to experience the movement of the horse without significant pain.
Have sufficient hip range of motion to safely sit astride a horse.
All Programs
Participants must:

Demonstrate sufficient self-control and ability to follow directions to maintain a safe environment.
Be able to benefit physically, emotionally, socially, cognitively, or recreationally from participation.
Complete an initial intake assessment to determine eligibility and appropriate placement.
Demonstrate safe behavior around horses and other animals.
Be able to communicate pain, discomfort, or distress verbally or through another reliable method.
Conduct themselves in a manner that promotes the safety of themselves, volunteers, horses, and others.
Age and Weight Requirements
The minimum age for mounted programs is 6 years old.
There is no maximum age limit.
Youth scholarships are available through the Youth with Promise Scholarship Program.
Adults with disabilities may apply for scholarship assistance for eligible adaptive riding programs.
Mounted participants may not exceed 240 pounds, based on the capabilities and welfare of STRIDE's current horses.
Scholarship Policies
Receiving a scholarship does not guarantee placement in a specific lesson, session, or camp. Enrollment is subject to program availability.
Scholarships must be used within one year of the approval date unless otherwise approved by STRIDE.
The Scholarship Committee generally meets once each month. Please allow adequate time for your application to be reviewed.
Scholarship funding is limited. Applicants who are not selected may be placed on a waiting list as additional funding becomes available.
Financial hardship documentation must be submitted with the application for consideration.
Scholarship recipients will be notified of award decisions by email.
At the conclusion of the scholarship period, participants or their parent/guardian may be asked to complete a brief impact statement describing their experience. These stories may be used anonymously in grant applications, annual reports, or marketing materials unless permission is specifically granted to identify the participant.
Because scholarship funds are limited, recipients are expected to make attendance a priority. Participants should notify STRIDE as early as possible if they must miss a scheduled lesson due to illness, injury, or another unavoidable circumstance. By accepting a scholarship, participants (or their guardians) acknowledge their commitment to regular attendance and agree to make reasonable arrangements for reliable transportation.

Date of Application

Date

Applicant's Full Name

First NameLast Name

Applicant's Date of Birth

Date

Parent or Guardian's Full Name

First NameLast Name

Home Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / ProvincePostal / Zip CodeCountry

Phone Number

Please enter a valid phone number.Format: (000) 000-0000.

Are you able to receive text messages at this phone number?

Email Address

example@example.com

Has the applicant been awarded a scholarship from STRIDE in the past?

If yes, please provide the approximate date(s) of the previous scholarship award(s)

Applicant's Horse Experience Please describe if the applicant has had any prior experience with horses, what that experience was, and how long ago. This information will help us determine the best fit for lessons and camps.

What type of scholarship are you applying for?

What type of program are you applying for?

Please describe any physical/emotional/psychological conditions that may require private lessons as opposed to group lessons

Please indicate if you would allow STRIDE to use photographs of the applicant for documentation or marketing purposes (not required)

Please describe your financial need and any circumstances you would like the Scholarship Committee to consider.

Documentation of hardship: Please select any of these that apply and email documentation to StrideEquineTherapy@gmail.com.

If other, please describe:

Attach financial hardship documentation (required)

If you have additional information or documents to support your application, you may upload them here.

By signing below, I/we acknowledge that we have read and understood the eligibility requirements and policies for the STRIDE Youth With Promise Scholarship. We commit to attending all scheduled lessons or camps unless prevented by illness or injury, and agree to provide an impact statement at the end of the program.