STRIDE Youth With Promise Scholarship Application

Thank you for considering STRIDE as an opportunity to provide your child with a fulfilling horse experience through our scholarship program. Please read the following carefully and provide complete information so our Scholarship Committee can make the best decisions for our applicants.

Applications will be considered in the order in which they were received. If multiple applicants are qualified, a lottery system will be employed to ensure fair selection of students.

YOUTH WITH PROMISE SCHOLARSHIPS
STRIDE is a non-profit organization with a goal of making horses and horsemanship activities available to all, regardless of income or ability. We are pleased to implement a new scholarship program, YOUTH WITH PROMISE, that directly fulfills our mission by funding some or all lessons and camps for students. New and current students are eligible to apply.

Scholarships will cover therapeutic riding sessions, group riding lessons, and summer camps. After a scholarship has been used students are eligible to re-apply for another scholarship.

STUDENTS WHO MISS MORE THAN ONE LESSON, THERAPY SESSION OR CAMP DAY WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE WILL LOSE THEIR SCHOLARSHIP. THEY WILL NOT BE ELIGIBLE TO RE-APPLY FOR ANOTHER SCHOLARSHIP.

We ask that students who do not require a full scholarship only apply for a partial scholarship of 50%. Applicants will be asked to clarify if they are applying for a full or partial scholarship during the process. Additionally, prospective participants and their families are expected to exhaust all other options for financial support before filing a scholarship application. This allows our team to serve a larger community in need.

Participation Criteria

Mounted programs:
- Must be physically able to mount the horse with a mounting block and an instructor or helper.
- Physically able to sit symmetrically with torso upright and legs astride the horse during dynamic movement
- Physically able to independently maintain head and neck position in proper alignment with dynamic movement
- Able to tolerate a riding safety helmet
- Ability to experience the movement of the horse without pain
- Adequate range of motion in hip(s) to sit astride

All programs:
- Exhibit self-control and ability to take direction to the extent that unsafe conditions do not arise
- Exhibit physical, emotional, social, and/or cognitive benefits from services provided by STRIDE
- Complete an intake assessment where trained staff evaluate eligibility
- Safety awareness around animals
- Ability to express pain or discomfort
- Behave in a manner that is safe for self, horses, and others

Age and weight requirements:
- The minimum age is 6 years old for standard or adaptive riding.
- The maximum age limit is 18.
- Participants involved in mounted activities may not exceed 240 pounds due to the weight limits of the current horses.

Scholarship Requests and Policies:
1. Scholarships do not guarantee a spot in a specific lesson. Openings are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Scholarships must be used within one year of application approval.
2. The Scholarship Committee meets once a month. Please be patient when applying; we will respond to all requests as soon as possible.
3. The initial class of recipients is limited; as our funds grow, we will expand this offering to more students. If you are not selected for the first class, we will place you on a waitlist for future consideration.
4. You must attach the financial hardship documentation at the end of the application before you submit it.
5. If you are awarded a STRIDE scholarship, you will be notified via email.
6. Participants (or their guardians) will be asked to write a brief impact statement upon completing their series of lessons or camp. This statement may be used anonymously in marketing and grant applications. Participating in this program indicates your willingness to provide a statement at the end of your first series.
7. Please understand for STRIDE to make the best use of scholarship funds and make the biggest impact on the community, the applicant must attend all lessons unless they cannot participate due to illness or injury. By signing this document, you commit to making attendance a priority and have backup transportation available.