The single most important quality in a scholarship recipient is that they want to be at camp. There are often more campers seeking financial support than there is funding to go around so campers who ask for a scholarship should be prepared to make the most of camp and participate fully. If your camper attends with the support of a scholarship and does not follow the expectations laid out in our Camper Guide you may be required to pick them up from camp early.
Need Based Scholarships
Some scholarships are awarded to campers based on financial need. The method for determining this need can vary based on the source of the funds for the scholarship.
Typically though, this determination is kept as simple as possible and is based on elegibility for the National School Lunch Program provided by the USDA. When applying for a scholarship it is likely that you will be asked whether you are eligible for free or reduced school lunch through this program.
If you have already applied for this program and you or your school can verify eligibility, you don't need to do anything else. If you have not applied you can contact your school district for help and guidance on the application process. It is usually very easy and takes a few minutes so long as you have your family income information available.
You can find out more about the program here. You can also learn about the application process and view sample applications or you can review the Income Elibility Guidelines which are updated each year.
* You do not actually have to receive free or reduced school lunch, just to meet the creteria to be eligible for it. You may decline to receive it even if you apply and are found eligible.
Academic Performance Based Scholarships
Some scholarships are awarded to campers based on their academic performance. The perfomance requirements may vary based on the source of the funds for the scholarship. You may be asked to submit a camper's grades, or a statement from a teacher to be considered for a scholarship based on academic performance.
Essay / Interest Based Scholarships
Some scholarships are awarded based on the interest and ambitions of the camper. Campers who want to gain experience and knowledge in a particular field of space science or have a paricular career goal may be eligible for these scholarships. An essay or interview is typically required.
Demographic Based Scholarships
The region a camper is from, or their gender, are the most common demographic groups used in the distribution of scholarships. Some are awarded to campers from a specific state, county, or city. Other scholarships are intended to support girls or boys gaining experience in a topic in which they are historically under-represented.
At times there are scholarships for campers who are members of certain groups such as scouting organizations or civic organizations.
