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Seattle Parks and Recreation offers scholarships for recreation programming

Recreation program participants

Recreation program participants

Seattle Parks and Recreation values access and opportunity and it’s the department’s goal not to turn any individual away who wants to participate in SPR programs.

As part of the 2016 Park District spending plan, Seattle Parks and Recreation will partner with the Associated Recreation Council in the creation of a citywide scholarship system estimated to support a $400,000 system-wide scholarship fund enabling more people access to programs.

In the past, only individual community center advisory councils allocated scholarships for recreation programs, which created an issue of access inequity. Some wealthier advisory councils could offer more scholarships than others—leaving out areas where scholarships are needed the most. 

Those with low-income eligibility may qualify for up to a 90% discount in pricing. Eligibility is determined based on family size and income level.

Scholarship forms can be picked up at any community center or pool or can be found online here. Scholarships are awarded solely on funding availability on a first come, first serve basis. Receiving a scholarship does not automatically enroll a participant in the desired program. People must register for the program separately following the facility’s guidelines for registration.

For more information on scholarship policies and guidelines for school-age care, go here.

For help filling out a scholarship application, contact any staff member at a community center for assistance.