Scholarships
Leisure Services Department Scholarships
A scholarship offers an opportunity to pay a discounted rate for a Leisure Services youth program including summer camp. All Athens-Clarke County residents under the age of 18 are eligible to be considered for a scholarship.
Requirements:
- Must be under the age of 18
- Must reside in Athens-Clarke County
- Must meet financial need requirements
- Due to the high volume of applications, parents/guardians must apply by Friday, March 3, 2023 in order to have the scholarship approved by summer camp registration. After March 3, we cannot guarantee the scholarship will be processed in time for camp registration. Note: Registration fees cannot be retroactively reimbursed if scholarship is approved after camp registration.
Scholarship Program Terms:
- Scholarship levels are available at 25%, 50%, and 75%. Recipients who receive a 75% scholarship only pay 25% of the total cost of each program, etc.
- Each scholarship recipient may receive a combined total of $400 in scholarship funds per year.
Required Documentation:
- Utility bill from the last 90 days
- IRS Tax Form 1040 (with children listed)
- Photo ID
Scholarship Forms:
- ACCGov Leisure Services Department Scholarship Form
- ACCGov Leisure Services Department Scholarship Hardship Form
Hardship procedures are in place for those who do not have the necessary paperwork. Please call the ACC Leisure Services Administrative Office at 706-613-3800 to schedule an appointment. This process may take up to three weeks. The hardship procedures address the lack of necessary paperwork, not to appeal the amount of the scholarship award issued. The amount of the award cannot be appealed.
How to Apply
Parents/legal guardians must apply for an ACCGov Leisure Services Scholarship at a Leisure Services facility office. Due to the high volume of applications, parents/guardians must apply by Friday, March 3, 2023 in order to use the scholarship for summer camp registration. After March 3, we cannot guarantee the scholarship will be processed in time for camp registration. Staff needs at least five business days to process a scholarship application.
Please take the required documentation, to any of the following Leisure Services facility offices: ACC Tennis Center, Bishop Park, East Athens Educational Dance Center, Heard Park, Lay Park, Lyndon House Arts Center, Memorial Park, Rocksprings Community Center and Park, or Sandy Creek Nature Center
Parents/legal guardians may apply for scholarships at Leisure Services facility offices, but scholarship applications will not approved on site. Applicants should expect an email within five business days as to whether or not the scholarship has been approved. This email will include the amount of discount.
Scholarship Vouchers
Recipients of the 75% scholarship will also be awarded an additional $20 to use toward any Leisure Services scholarship eligible program(s). This voucher is applied to qualifying accounts and will automatically be deducted from the patron's first transaction. Please note that each child receives the $20 voucher each year.
Beginning July 1, 2019 individuals may re-apply for a scholarship, and all future 75% scholarship recipients will receive the $20 voucher.
Other Things to Note
Scholarships do not cover admission, entrance, field trips, or rental fees. ACCGov Leisure Services will grant a scholarship to all those who qualify.
Staff at all facilities are available to answer questions or call 706-613-3800.
Scholarships may be renewed or applied for at any Leisure Services Department facility office and take at least five business days to process. All scholarships expire December 31 and must be renewed annually.
- How do I apply for a scholarship?
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Parents/legal guardians must apply in person by taking the required documentation to any ACC Leisure Services facility office during regular hours of operation. Please note that scholarship applications may take up to five (5) business days to process. Documentation must be submitted at least five (5) business days prior to registering for a program or camp.
- Do you have to be an Athens-Clarke County resident in order to qualify for a scholarship?
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Yes, the scholarship program is only available to qualifying ACC residents under the age of 18.
- Which documents are now accepted when applying for an ACC Leisure Services Department Scholarship?
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Required Documentation:
- Utility bill from the last 90 days
- IRS Tax Form 1040 (with children listed)
- Photo ID
Hardship procedures are in place for those who do not have the necessary paperwork. Please call the ACC Leisure Services Administrative Office at 706-613-3800 to schedule an appointment. This process may take up to three weeks. The hardship procedures address the lack of necessary paperwork, not to appeal the amount of the scholarship award issued. The amount of the award cannot be appealed.
- What if an applicant does not have a current tax return or utility bill?
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Applicants without a current tax return and utility bill may apply for a hardship consideration. A designated Leisure Services staff member will accept other documents for review and determination. Please call 706.613.3800 to schedule an appointment.
- How are scholarship discounts determined?
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Scholarship discounts are based on dependency, income, and residency verification and the amount awarded follows the Federal Poverty Guidelines information produced annually.
- What is the scholarship discount?
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Scholarships are available in 25%, 50%, and 75% amounts. The 100% scholarship is no longer available.
- Is there a maximum scholarship discount per child?
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Yes, the maximum scholarship discount is $400 per child, per year.
- Do scholarships expire?
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Yes, all scholarships expire December 31 and must be renewed.
- Who do I contact with questions?
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Please call 706-613-3800.