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The Experience Scholarship Application is currently closed. The application will reopen on Wednesday, March 20. Thank you for your understanding.

What is an Experience Scholarship?

An Experience Scholarship can be applied toward the cost of Membership, Swim Lessons, Youth Sports, Partial Day Preschool, and BASP (Before & After School Program). Please note: Full Day Child Care, Day Camp, and Overnight Camps offer Experience Scholarships individually by program site. Please contact the location directly with questions regarding availability or how to register.

Each Experience Scholarship awarded is valid toward a 12-month membership that must be started by the expiration date provided at the time of approval. It is required that a new application with up-to-date information be submitted for our records to determine eligibility for each 12-month membership period. If approved, all joining fees are waived.

Am I Eligible?

Experience Scholarships are funded generously by donors in our community, so every dollar donated is carefully considered to make certain that awards are granted responsibly, fairly, and based on needs to those who need it most.

Our mission is to provide Experience Scholarships for individuals and families who live at or below 300% of poverty, based on the Federal Poverty Guidelines, to reduce regular rates. Eligibility is determined on a sliding-scale basis, and awards are approved based on total household size and income with verifiable supporting documentation to account for each member in the household.

Approved scholarships are the lowest possible rates within the program's guidelines to ensure funds remain available year-round while continuing to provide all the benefits our members have come to value so much.

Our Commitment to You

We are grateful for the opportunity to support you and want to provide you with the best customer service possible. Here are some things to keep in mind:

  • Once an application has been submitted, a new application cannot be submitted for a minimum of 6 months. 
  • Allow 30 days for us to process your application: If you have not seen an email from us within 5-7 business days of your application date, search your email inbox and spam folders for the subject line “Experience Scholarship” using the same email address indicated in your application. We understand many are eager to start a membership, however high volumes of status inquiries and duplicate submissions only delay the process for everyone. Thank you for your understanding!
  • Submitting more than one application: Applications are processed based on the date of submission and only your most recent application will be considered. Submitting multiple applications will push your application date further out and delay an award determination.
  • Carefully consider each application question: Membership type, category, home branch and awards are determined based on the information provided being accurate. Any information that cannot be verified or found to be inaccurate, will result in a delay in approval or ineligibility.

  • Extension or change requests are prohibited. Each application is based on an annual membership and receives our fullest attention in the order they are received. Expired awards or requests to change a membership type are subject to a waiting period of up to six (6) months to ensure all other applications are fairly processed.

  • Outstanding balances from a previous membership: We require any prior unpaid balance on an existing account be paid in full before we can process an application or award an Experience Scholarship.

Our Process

Here’s what to expect during the application process:

  • Submit your application: You will receive an email right away confirming your application has been received. If you don't see one, please check your spam folders and save the email address as a contact to ensure you receive all future status updates.
  • Look for another email within 5-7 business days for updates: You may be asked for more information and supporting documentation. Monitor the email used for Scholarship communications often as to not miss any updates.
  • Submit all supporting documentation if requested: All adults in the household must be included in the application and supporting documentation, even if they will not be included in the membership and/or program you are applying for. Any missing information for a member of the household will result in a denial or delay.
  • If you’re approved: You will be emailed your Award Agreements along with instructions explaining how to activate your scholarship and start your membership. 

If you accept an Experience Scholarship

  • Changes to your membership type or award cannot be made within the first six (6) months of the expiration date originally established in your Award Agreement. A request to change or extend an award does not guarantee approval and will be answered based on the number of applications needing to be processed at that time. 
  • Approved rates are guaranteed for a continuous 12-month membership that is started by the expiration date at the time of approval. If the membership is not started by the expiration date or is cancelled within the 12-month period, rates are subject to change and approval to re-apply the previous scholarship is at the discretion of the YMCA of Greater Rochester.

Frequently Asked Questions

I applied and haven’t heard anything. What is the status of my application?

Please allow 30 days from the date of application for a determination. Our ability to process applications within this timeline directly correlates with the number of requests we receive for status updates and/or all information, including supporting documentation, being completely accurate and verifiable according to the guidelines provided. 

For the most recent updates regarding your application, be sure to search your inbox and spam folders, using the same email address provided in your application, for the subject line "Experience Scholarship". If you've submitted your required documentation according to the specific guidelines provided in the request, your application is in the queue to be processed. Thank you for your patience.

ANY OF THE FOLLOWING WILL RESULT IN A DELAY OR DENIAL:

  • Duplicate applications - Applications are reviewed in the order they are received. Your current place in the queue will be replaced using the most recent submission date
  • High volume of requests for status updates, through multiple channels
  • Providing information inconsistent with original application (e.g., application submitted under different name in household, maiden/hyphenated names, shortened/nicknames, multiple email addresses, etc)
  • Unclear or inconsistent information provided regarding household members or membership type requested
  • There is an outstanding balance on your account
  • You've previously been awarded an Experience Scholarship within the last 12 months and did not redeem the award within the redemption window
  • Partial or inaccurate total household income information that cannot be verified

Why do I have to start my membership at a certain branch when I chose a Passport Membership?

Every member has a designated “home branch”. This simply tells us where you initially set up your membership, who handles your billing and payment plan, and generally where you’re likely to visit most. If you have a Passport Membership, you are free to use any of our locations after your membership is set up at your determined home branch.

The Experience Scholarship Application is currently closed. The application will reopen on Wednesday, March 20. Thank you for your understanding.