Junior Sailing Scholarship Program

Junior Sailing Scholarship Program

Overview: The Sailing Foundation of Barnegat Bay (formerly Island Heights Sailing Foundation) offers a one-time needs-based scholarship for junior sailors ages 8-14 who have no yacht club affiliation. The purpose is to introduce children to sailing on the Toms River and Barnegat Bay and help families who cannot afford yacht club membership access sailing programs.

Target Audience

• Children ages 8-14
• Children whose parents are not members of a yacht club
• Families with demonstrated financial need

Geographic Scope

• Toms River and Barnegat Bay area, New Jersey
• Participating yacht clubs in the region

What the Scholarship Covers

• Includes: One year of tuition for sailing instruction at one participating area junior program
• Does NOT Include: Extra fees such as social memberships or junior club memberships (parent/guardian responsibility)

Award Type

• One-time needs-based scholarship
• Tuition coverage only

Eligibility Requirements

1. Membership Status:
- Applicant and parents must be non-yacht club members
- No prior yacht club affiliation

2. Age:
- Must be between 8-14 years old
- Must be able to swim and pass yacht club required swim test

3. Sponsor Letter:
- Must provide signed sponsor letter from active member of participating yacht club
- Not all yacht clubs on Barnegat Bay participate in program

4. Financial Need:
- Parents must meet SFBB financial needs requirements (see requirements on application)
- Must provide proof of financial need:
- Proof of government assistance (free/reduced lunch, SNAP, Medicaid, etc.)
- Proof of household income
- Notice of work layoff
- Emergency medical issue
- Other issues to be reviewed by committee

5. Equipment and Resources:
- Must have availability of Optimist Pram or Sunfish with dolly for program
- Host yacht club or SFBB may provide direction for finding/chartering a boat
- Must provide own approved life jacket (PFD), footwear, and sailing attire
- Must provide own transportation to/from program in timely fashion

6. Post-Award Commitment:
- Must comply with all rules and regulations of participating Yacht Club Junior Sailors
- Must write one-page summary of sailing experience at program end
- Summary may be used by SFBB for marketing with name redacted

Duration

• One-year scholarship
• One-time award per applicant

Contact Information

Scholarship Coordinator: Victoria Duff Sailing Foundation of Barnegat Bay 4 Oriole Ct. Toms River, NJ 08755 Email: duff4@comcast.net