Junior Sailing Scholarship Program

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

Sailing Foundation of Barnegat Bay
4 Oriole Ct.

Application Process

Complete all steps below. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Step-by-Step Application Instructions

1. Complete the Scholarship Application
   • Include contact information for the hosting yacht club
   • Indicate which participating yacht club program will be attended
2. Provide Proof of Financial Need - Attach ONE of the following:
   • Proof of being on government assistance program (free/reduced lunch, SNAP, Medicaid, etc.)
   • Proof of household income
   • Notice of work layoff
   • Documentation of emergency medical issue
   • Other documentation to be reviewed by committee
3. Submit Essay
   • Written by the junior sailor
   • Explain why he/she would like to learn to sail
   • Include in application materials
4. Complete and Sign Inherent Risk Form
   • Required form acknowledging inherent risks of sailing
5. Obtain Signed Sponsor Letter
   • Must be signed by active member of participating yacht club
   • Include sponsor contact information

Required Documents to Submit

• Application Form (completed)
• Inherent Risk Form (signed)
• Sponsor Letter (signed by active yacht club member)
• Essay (by junior sailor explaining reasons for wanting to sail)
• Proof of Financial Need (one of the qualifying documents)

Submission Instructions

Mail to:
Victoria Duff
Scholarship Coordinator
Sailing Foundation of Barnegat Bay
4 Oriole Ct.
Toms River, NJ 08755

Email:

Or: Submit through online application portal

Application Timeline

• No specific deadline stated; rolling applications accepted
• After application received, an interview with the child by Foundation members may be requested

Note

• Incomplete applications will not be considered
• Online application portal available on website