AGH Swim Scholarship Application Process
Please read below for important information regarding the AGH Swim Scholarship and it's application process.
After reading over this information, follow the link provided at the bottom of the page to be directed to the application.
**Important updates to our Scholarship Program: Due to the enormous growth/ demand of this program for our central Florida families, AGH continues to work hard to raise funds while constantly working on ways to provide the most families possible with financial assistance through partnerships of swimming providers and scholarship families. This is truly a massive team effort and we appreciate your understanding and support through this process. (Full Scholarships will be limited while increased partial scholarships will be available as a result of this partnership).
REFRESHER: AGH puts emphasis on refreshing survival skills for our younger children each year. Previously awarded AGH scholarship children (ages 1-4) are eligible to apply for limited refresher financial assistance. New application is required each year and as with all of our applications, funding is not guaranteed (is reliant on the funds raised/support of our community).
This application is to request a Survival Swim Lesson Financial Assistance/ Scholarship. The application period will open March 1st and will continue through the first of April. At that point, our decision committee will begin their tireless efforts to review each application, making note of those with high risks (see below). The Scholarship Program is age based, but otherwise non-discrimatory. Applying for a scholarship, does not guarantee availability. Outside of risk factors, other choices you make on your application will affect your possibilities of receiving a scholarship. These include: Type of Lesson requested (private/group), type of scholarship (fully funded/partial funding) and location. AGH Primarily supports Polk County, FL (Lake Wales, Winter Haven, Lakeland and more coming soon), but does occasionally fund scholarships to surrounding areas (Tampa/Orlando) based on special requests.
Risk Factors: Age (1-4), Special Needs. (Child does not have to fall into either category to apply).
Recipients will be notified via e-mail early May. Families receiving financial assistance from the AGH Swim Scholarship Program are required to attend the Annual Awarding Event to be held on May 6th between 1pm-4pm in Winter Haven, FL. Recipients will meet with their instructors during this event to register for their class times. (Lesson start date depends on instructor schedule). It's important that recipients and guardian(s) are present for this event to sign waivers, meet instructors and schedule lessons. *Details of this event will be included in the e-mail notification of those receiving scholarships*
Swim Lessons are ONE layer of protection, using all layers of protection (Supervision, Barriers, First Aid, Swim Lesson) is paramount. Unfortunately, no matter what, there is no such thing as a "drown-proofed" child.
What you should know: Private Swim Lessons (through ISR for example) are typically 5 days a week for 10 min each day. Caregivers must be able to commit to this requirement. Visit the ISR website for details explaining why. Swim lessons can begin as young as 6 months of age (most of our scholarships go to children 12 months and up). Each child is different and will progress at their own rate; though most children acquire the necessary skills within 4-8 weeks, depending on previous experiences. Group Session, for example, through local aquatics programs are typically geared towards 4 year old and up, lasting 8-10 sessions, 30 minutes in length. The AGH Scholarship funds a skill set, however short or long it takes for the recipient to acquire the skills. *Depending on developmental stages,especially younger children, survival skill sets obtained during the scholarship season could vary from child to child. (Example: Roll to float, vs swimming/floating). It is very important and the caregivers responsibility to continually work with their child to maintain the child's skills between seasons.
Accepting the scholarship means that the recipients guardian will make the swim lessons a priority. Failure to use the scholarship before Fall or missing multiple lessons without justification will lead to forfeiture of the scholarship (scholarship will be re-awarded to another recipient). So far, no scholarships have been forfeited!
**Helpful Tips: Consider providing as much detail as possible regarding the reason of your request/background, supporting documents, etc.
**Application period is currently closed.
