Why does the Friends Youth Scholarship Program provide financial assistance?
The Friends Youth Scholarship Program offers resident youth financial assistance for registration fees to ensure all young people have equal access to the benefits of participating in recreation activities. The Friends Youth Scholarship Program continues to “Create Community through People, Parks and Programs” by focusing on its mission to provide positive recreation experiences, promote health and wellness, increase cultural unity, strengthen community image and sense of place, and foster human development.
Who is eligible to receive a Youth Scholarship?
Santa Clara residents who meet eligibility requirements may apply for financial assistance to cover or offset the expense of Parks and Recreation program registration fees for youth, ages 17 and under.
What is the maximum benefit of the Friends Youth Scholarship Program?
Eligible residents may be granted up to $300 per family member (maximum of two family members), 17 years or under, each calendar year. A maximum of $600 per family may be granted. Once eligibility has been determined, the benefit of the Friends Youth Financial Scholarship is valid for Summer Recreation Programs and camps, as well as Fall Recreation Programming. Scholarship resources are limited and subject to availability of funds.
What programs can a child participate in with a Friends Youth Scholarship Program?
Youth and Teen summer recreation classes and activities sponsored by the City of Santa Clara Parks and Recreation Department.
Is there anything the Friends Youth Scholarship Program does not fund?
The Friends Youth Program does not fund adult or senior programming, special events, or non-City of Santa Clara sports leagues (i.e., AYSO, Pop Warner, Little League). Please see the “Wade Brummal Scholarship Fund” for financial assistance for Santa Clara based non-profit sports organization participation.
In order to qualify for the Friends Youth Scholarship Program, you must be a City of Santa Clara resident and provide all of the following:
- Proof of need (i.e. SNAP/CFAP, Medical enrollment, or the SVP Reduced Rate program, etc.). If your family has been approved for a government assistance program, you must provide a copy of your approval letter with your registration materials.
- Two forms of Santa Clara resident identification* at the time of application (i.e., driver’s license, utility bill).
- Proof of parentage/guardianship (i.e., birth certificate, proof of guardianship form). If the last name in the proof of parentage is different from the one in the application form, we will require a document that supports the change of names and shows the link between the two such as a marriage certificate, a legal name change certificate or a common law relationship.
- Proof of parentage/guardianship (i.e., birth certificate, proof of guardianship form). If the last name in the proof of parentage is different from the one in the application form, we will require a document that supports the change of names and shows the link between the two such as a marriage certificate, a legal name change certificate or a common law relationship.
As a Friends Youth Scholarship participant, what additional registration information should I be aware of?
Friends Youth Financial Grant participants do not receive priority registration nor are they exempt from the Santa Clara Parks and Recreation Department refund / transfer policy. Financial Grants may only be used for registration fees required for the activity and are not redeemable for cash.
Proof of residency, guardianship and need is required each time a Youth Financial Grant is applied for.
*Grandparent rule does not apply for residency. School district boundaries do not qualify for residency.
Completed forms must be submitted at the Community Recreation Center
or may be emailed to prcustomerserve@santaclaraca.gov with proof of residency for processing.
